Quick Tip

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

Challenge: You’re trying to list all files in a directory, but `ls` by default hides files and directories that start with a dot (‘.’), which are often used for configuration. You need a quick way to reveal these hidden gems.

The Solution: Use the `-A` (or `–almost-all`) option with the `ls` command.

ls -A

Why it works: The `-A` flag tells `ls` to list almost all entries, excluding only ‘.’ (current directory) and ‘..’ (parent directory). This is often more useful than `ls -a` which also includes these entries.

Pro-Tip: Combine it with `-l` for a detailed, hidden-file-inclusive listing: ls -lA

Linux Tips & Tricks | © ngelinux.com | 5/31/2026