Quick Tip

Tame Your Terminal: Unmask Hidden Files with `ls -A`

Challenge: You’re working in a directory and need to see all files, including those starting with a dot (hidden files), but `ls` by default doesn’t show them. This can be inconvenient when you need to access configuration files or hidden directories.

The Solution: Use the `-A` (or `–almost-all`) flag with the `ls` command to display all files except for `.` (current directory) and `..` (parent directory).

ls -A

Why it works: The `-A` flag instructs `ls` to list all entries in the directory except for the special `.` and `..` entries, effectively revealing all hidden files and directories without cluttering the output with the directory navigation shortcuts.

Pro-Tip: Combine it with other `ls` flags like `-l` for a detailed list: ls -Al. To see absolutely *all* files including `.` and `..`, use ls -a.

Linux Tips & Tricks | © ngelinux.com | 5/24/2026