Ubuntu 24.04 LTS · Real VMs · Automated Labs

Learn Linux.
Get hired.

FirstBoot takes complete beginners from zero command-line experience to entry-level IT and sysadmin job readiness — through real Ubuntu labs, structured curriculum, and automated grading.

student@ubuntu:~$
$ ls -la /var/log
total 1856
drwxr-xr-x 9 root root 4096 Jan 6 09:00 .
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 98304 Jan 6 09:22 syslog
-rw-r----- 1 root adm 8192 Jan 6 08:15 auth.log
$ grep "error" syslog | wc -l
47
$ sudo systemctl status nginx
nginx.service - A high performance web server
Loaded: loaded (/lib/systemd/system/nginx.service)
Active: active (running) since Mon 2025-01-06
student@ubuntu:~$

7

Structured Phases

40+

Lessons & Labs

Ubuntu

LTS VMs

3

Cert Pathways

Built for people starting from zero

Not a video course. Not a textbook. A hands-on environment where you learn by doing — on the same tools you'll use on the job.

Real Ubuntu VMs

Every lab runs on a live Ubuntu 24.04 VM. No sandboxed toyboxes — the real thing.

Automated Grading

Submit your lab work and get immediate, automated feedback on every task.

Cohort Mode

Learn with a group on a structured schedule. Instructor support, leaderboard, weekly pacing.

Self-Paced Option

No deadlines. Work through 7 phases on your own timeline.

Job-Ready Outcome

Curriculum aligned with CompTIA Linux+, LFCS, and LPIC-1 certifications.

7 Structured Phases

From 'what is an OS' to full server configuration. A clear, complete path.

The Curriculum

7 phases. Zero assumed knowledge. One career-ready outcome.

PHASE 0

Pre-flight

Computers, OS concepts, and the terminal

PHASE 1

Getting Into Linux

Your first VM, shell commands, filesystem

PHASE 2

Files & Text

File ops, grep, nano, pipes and redirection

PHASE 3In Development

Users & Permissions

chmod, sudo, user management

PHASE 4In Development

Processes & Packages

apt, systemd, logs, disk usage

PHASE 5In Development

Networking & SSH

IP, DNS, SSH keys, ufw firewall

PHASE 6In Development

Scripting & Jobs

Bash scripts, cron, capstone project

Job-Ready

CompTIA Linux+, LFCS, and LPIC-1 preparation included

From students who made the switch

I went from not knowing what a terminal was to passing my Linux+ in 3 months. The labs are the secret weapon.

Marcus T.

Junior Sysadmin

The cohort format kept me accountable. Having an instructor post announcements and seeing the leaderboard made it feel real.

Priya K.

IT Support Specialist

Every other course taught me click-through GUIs. FirstBoot taught me the actual terminal. That's what employers want.

Derek W.

Cloud Ops Associate

Ready to start?

Create a free account and start Phase 0 in minutes. No credit card required.

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