Quick Tip

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

Challenge: By default, ls doesn’t show hidden files (those starting with a dot `.`). This can make it difficult to see all files in a directory, especially configuration files.

The Solution: Use the -A flag with ls to show all files except for `.` and `..`.

ls -A

Why it works: The -A (or --almost-all) option tells ls to list all entries except for directories with the names “.” (current directory) and “..” (parent directory). This is generally more useful than -a (which includes `.` and `..`) for day-to-day navigation.

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

Linux Tips & Tricks | © ngelinux.com | 6/28/2026