Quick Tip

Unleash `lsd` for Visually Richer Directory Listings

Challenge: The default `ls` command can be a bit bland, making it harder to quickly distinguish file types and understand directory structures at a glance.

The Solution: Install and use `lsd`, a modern, faster, and more feature-rich alternative to `ls` that offers enhanced colors, icons, and better Git integration.

# First, install lsd (example for Ubuntu/Debian) sudo apt update && sudo apt install lsd # Then, use it like ls, or set up an alias lsd # Or, to alias ls to lsd in your shell profile (~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc) alias ls='lsd'

Why it works: `lsd` leverages the power of Nerd Fonts to display informative icons next to file types and directories, and uses extended attributes and color codes to provide at-a-glance information about file permissions, ownership, and Git status.

Pro-Tip: Use `lsd –tree` to visualize your directory structure in a tree-like format, similar to the `tree` command.

Linux Tips & Tricks | © ngelinux.com | 5/7/2026