Quick Tip

Instant File Metadata with `stat`

Challenge: You need to quickly check a file’s ownership, permissions, size, modification times, and other metadata without navigating through multiple commands or GUI tools.

The Solution: The `stat` command provides a concise overview of file information.

stat <filename>

Why it works: `stat` directly queries the file system for its metadata and presents it in a human-readable format, saving you from running separate commands like `ls -l`, `ls -i`, `du`, and `ls -t`.

Pro-Tip: Use `stat -c “%U %G %s %y” <filename>` for a custom, brief output showing owner, group, size, and last modification time.

Linux Tips & Tricks | © ngelinux.com | 5/6/2026