Quick Tip

Unmask Hidden Files with `ls -A`

Challenge: You’re working in a directory and want to see all files, including those that start with a dot (hidden files), without also seeing the special ‘.’ (current directory) and ‘..’ (parent directory) entries.

The Solution: Use the ls -A command.

ls -A

Why it works: The -A flag (which stands for “almost all”) tells ls to list all entries except for ‘.’ and ‘..’. This is often more useful than the default ls output or the ls -a output when you’re interested in configuration files or other hidden items.

Pro-Tip: Combine it with -l for a detailed, “almost all” listing: ls -lA.

Linux Tips & Tricks | © ngelinux.com | 6/5/2026