Quick Tip

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

Challenge: By default, `ls` hides files and directories that start with a dot (‘.’), which are often configuration files or hidden directories. This can make it difficult to see everything in a directory.

The Solution: Use the `-A` or `–almost-all` flag with the `ls` command to reveal these hidden files.

ls -A

Why it works: The `-A` flag tells `ls` to list all entries except for ‘.’ (current directory) and ‘..’ (parent directory), effectively showing all files, including those that are hidden by convention.

Pro-Tip: Combine it with `-l` for a detailed, “almost all” long listing: ls -Al. For an even more visual approach, consider using lsd -A if you have the ‘lsd’ utility installed.

Linux Tips & Tricks | © ngelinux.com | 5/30/2026