Quick Tip

Unmask Hidden Files Instantly with `ls -A`

Challenge: You need to quickly see all files and directories in your current location, including those that are hidden (prefixed with a dot). Standard `ls` doesn’t show these by default.

The Solution: Use the `-A` flag with the `ls` command.

ls -A

Why it works: The `-A` (or `–almost-all`) option tells `ls` to list all entries except for `.` (current directory) and `..` (parent directory). This is incredibly useful for troubleshooting, checking configuration files, or simply getting a complete view of your directory’s contents.

Pro-Tip: For an even more detailed, tree-like view that includes hidden files, combine `ls -A` with the `-R` (recursive) flag: ls -AR.

Linux Tips & Tricks | © ngelinux.com | 6/10/2026