Quick Tip

Quickly Unmask Hidden Files with `ls -A`

Challenge: You’re trying to see all files in a directory, including hidden ones that start with a dot (.), but `ls` by default skips them.

The Solution: Use the `-A` (or `–almost-all`) flag with `ls`.

ls -A

Why it works: The `-A` flag tells `ls` to list all entries except for `.` (current directory) and `..` (parent directory), effectively showing all hidden files and directories.

Pro-Tip: For an even more visually organized view that shows the directory structure, combine `ls -A` with the `tree` command: `tree -a`

Linux Tips & Tricks | © ngelinux.com | 5/15/2026