Quick Tip

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

Challenge: You need to see all files and directories in a directory, including those that start with a dot (hidden files), but `ls` by default hides them.

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 all entries except for `.` (current directory) and `..` (parent directory), effectively showing all hidden files and directories.

Pro-Tip: For a more visually appealing and feature-rich directory listing, consider installing and using the `lsd` command (`lsd -a` will show almost all files as well).

Linux Tips & Tricks | © ngelinux.com | 5/15/2026