Quick Tip

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

Challenge: By default, the `ls` command hides files and directories that start with a dot (‘.’) which are often used for configuration. This can make it difficult to see all relevant files in a directory.

The Solution: Use the `-A` flag with `ls` to show all entries, including hidden ones, except for ‘.’ (current directory) and ‘..’ (parent directory).

ls -A

Why it works: The `-A` option modifies the behavior of `ls` to include hidden files and directories in its output, providing a more complete view of the directory’s contents without cluttering the output with the current and parent directory references.

Pro-Tip: For an even more visually enhanced and tree-like directory listing that includes hidden files, try `lsd -A` if you have `lsd` installed.

Linux Tips & Tricks | © ngelinux.com | 5/27/2026