Quick Tip

Quick `stat` for File Ownership & Permissions

Challenge: You need to quickly determine the ownership and permissions of a file or directory without cluttering your output or using multiple commands.

The Solution: Utilize the `stat` command with its user-friendly output options.

stat -c '%U:%G %A %n' filename

Why it works: The `-c` option allows you to specify a custom output format. `%U` displays the owner’s username, `%G` the group’s name, `%A` the access rights in human-readable form, and `%n` the filename.

Pro-Tip: For a more compact, traditional `ls -l` like output, simply run `stat filename`.

Linux Tips & Tricks | © ngelinux.com | 5/8/2026