Quick Tip

Stealthy File Discovery: Unmask Hidden Files with `ls -A`

Challenge: You need to see all files in a directory, including those that start with a dot (hidden files), without listing the current directory (`.`) and parent directory (`..`).

The Solution: Use the ls -A command.

ls -A

Why it works: The -A (or --almost-all) option for ls displays all entries except for `.` and `..`. This is often more useful than the default behavior, which hides dot files entirely.

Pro-Tip: For a visually richer directory listing including hidden files, combine it with the `lsd` command if installed: lsd -a

Linux Tips & Tricks | © ngelinux.com | 6/26/2026