Quick Tip

Unleash `stat`: Instant File Metadata at Your Fingertips

TITLE: Unleash `stat`: Instant File Metadata at Your Fingertips

Challenge: You need to quickly get detailed information about a file, such as its permissions, ownership, size, and timestamps, without resorting to multiple commands.

The Solution: The `stat` command is your go-to for this.

stat [filename]

Why it works: `stat` is a powerful utility that displays file or filesystem status, providing a comprehensive overview of a file’s attributes in a human-readable format.

Pro-Tip: Use `stat -c “%A %U %G %s %y %n” [filename]` for a custom, concise output showing permissions, owner, group, size, modification time, and filename.

Linux Tips & Tricks | © ngelinux.com | 4/30/2026