Quick Tip

Stealthy File Finder: Unmasking Hidden Files with `ls -A`

Challenge: By default, `ls` conveniently hides files and directories that start with a dot (‘.’) – the common convention for configuration files and hidden directories. This can make it difficult to see everything in a directory, especially when troubleshooting or managing dotfiles.

The Solution: To reveal all files, including those starting with a dot, use the -A flag with the ls command.

ls -A

Why it works: The -A (or --almost-all) option tells ls to list all entries except for ‘.’ (current directory) and ‘..’ (parent directory). This is a quick and easy way to get a comprehensive view of directory contents.

Pro-Tip: Combine ls -A with -l for a detailed, almost-all listing: ls -Al.

Linux Tips & Tricks | © ngelinux.com | 6/30/2026