Linux System Tools Mastery - Expanded Project Guides
Generated from:
LINUX_SYSTEM_TOOLS_MASTERY.mdThis folder contains deep-dive guides for each project in the learning path.
Overview
These projects teach Linux systems debugging and monitoring by building tools that mirror how the kernel exposes process, memory, and I/O data. You’ll move from single-tool mastery (ps, strace, dmesg) to multi-tool diagnostics and a capstone mini-htop clone.
Project Index
| # | Project | Difficulty | Time | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Process Explorer Dashboard | Beginner | Weekend | /proc parsing, process tree |
| 2 | Memory Leak Detective | Advanced | 1-2 weeks | memory maps, leak patterns |
| 3 | Syscall Profiler | Intermediate | 1 week | strace parsing, syscall timing |
| 4 | Signal Laboratory | Intermediate | Weekend | signals, graceful shutdown |
| 5 | System Health Monitor | Beginner | Weekend | load, memory, vmstat |
| 6 | Kernel Log Analyzer | Intermediate | 1 week | dmesg/journalctl parsing |
| 7 | Watch Commander | Beginner | Weekend | multi-command polling |
| 8 | Process Genealogist | Intermediate | 1 week | ancestry, sessions, /proc |
| 9 | Zombie Hunter | Advanced | 1 week | zombie lifecycle, wait() |
| 10 | Performance Snapshot Tool | Intermediate | 1 week | holistic diagnostics |
| 11 | Process Debugging Toolkit | Advanced | 2 weeks | live process inspection |
| 12 | Service Watchdog | Advanced | 2-3 weeks | supervision, restart logic |
| 13 | Mini-htop Clone | Expert | 1-2 months | interactive process monitor |
Prerequisites
- Comfort with Linux CLI and basic shell scripting.
- Basic C for low-level process exercises.
- Python for parsing and report generation.