Quick Tip

Unlock Instant File Metadata with `stat`

Challenge: You frequently need to check file ownership, permissions, size, or timestamps but find yourself typing multiple commands or sifting through `ls` output.

The Solution: The `stat` command provides all this information in a concise and human-readable format.

stat [filename]

Why it works: `stat` directly queries the filesystem’s inode information for the specified file, presenting key metadata without the need for parsing.

Pro-Tip: Use `stat -c “%U %G %s %y” [filename]` for a customized, machine-readable output of User, Group, Size, and last modification time.

Linux Tips & Tricks | © ngelinux.com | 5/9/2026