Permissions & Security (Chmod/Chown/ACLs/SELinux/AppArmor)

Stop getting blocked by hidden directory bits when sharing folders

🧩 The Challenge

Ever set the right file permissions for a group but still had people whining that they can’t actually see the files inside a folder? It’s usually because someone forgot the execute bit on the directory, which effectively makes the whole thing a black box.

💡 The Fix

You need to apply the execute permission specifically to directories without accidentally touching every regular file in your tree. It’s a classic headache that you can fix in one go without wrecking your file security.

find /path/to/shared/data -type d -exec chmod +x {} +

⚙️ Why It Works

Using the type flag ensures the execute permission is only toggled for directories, as they need it to allow listing contents. Tossing the plus sign at the end of the command is way more efficient than running the chmod process for every single folder it finds.

🚀 Pro-Tip: Stick a capital X on that chmod command—like chmod -R u+X—and it will only add the execute bit to directories and files that already have it set, keeping your life simple.

Linux Tips & Tricks | © ngelinux.com | 8/23/2026