ls command in Linux/Unix
ls is a Linux shell command that lists directory contents of files and directories.
ls syntax
$ ls [options] [file|dir]
ls command options
ls command main options:
| option | description |
|---|---|
| ls -a | list all files including hidden file starting with '.' |
| ls --color | colored list [=always/never/auto] |
| ls -d | list directories - with ' */' |
| ls -F | add one char of */=>@| to enteries |
| ls -i | list file's inode index number |
| ls -l | list with long format - show permissions |
| ls -la | list long format including hidden files |
| ls -lh | list long format with readable file size |
| ls -ls | list with long format with file size |
| ls -r | list in reverse order |
| ls -R | list recursively directory tree |
| ls -s | list file size |
| ls -S | sort by file size |
| ls -t | sort by time & date |
| ls -X | sort by extension name |
ls command examples
You can press the tab button to auto complete the file or folder names.
List directory Documents/Books with relative path:
$ ls Documents/Books
List directory /home/user/Documents/Books with absolute path.
$ ls /home/user/Documents/Books
List root directory:
$ ls /
List parent directory:
$ ls ..
List user's home directory (e.g: /home/user):
$ ls ~
List with long format:
$ ls -l
Show hidden files:
$ ls -a
List with long format and show hidden files:
$ ls -la
Sort by date/time:
$ ls -t
Sort by file size:
$ ls -S
List all subdirectories:
$ ls *
Recursive directory tree list:
$ ls -R
List only text files with wildcard:
$ ls *.txt
ls redirection to output file:
$ ls > out.txt
List directories only:
$ ls -d */
List files and directories with full path:
$ ls -d $PWD/*
ls code generator
Select ls options and press the Generate Code button: