Quick Tip

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

Challenge: By default, the `ls` command in Linux conveniently hides files and directories that start with a dot (‘.’) – often configuration files. This keeps your directory listings clean, but sometimes you need to see them.

The Solution: Use the `-A` flag with `ls` to show all files, including hidden ones, but *excluding* the current directory ‘.’ and parent directory ‘..’.

ls -A

Why it works: The `-A` (or `–almost-all`) option tells `ls` to list entries, but it omits the special entries for the current and parent directories, which are usually not of immediate interest when looking for hidden configuration files.

Pro-Tip: For a more visually appealing and feature-rich directory listing, consider installing and using `lsd` (a modern `ls` replacement).

Linux Tips & Tricks | © ngelinux.com | 5/29/2026