Quick Tip
Unmask Hidden Files with `ls -A`
Challenge: By default, the `ls` command doesn’t show hidden files (those starting with a dot `.`), which can make it difficult to manage configuration files or discover less obvious items in a directory.
The Solution: Use the `-A` or `–almost-all` option with `ls` to display all entries except for `.` (current directory) and `..` (parent directory).
ls -AWhy it works: The `-A` flag tells `ls` to list almost all files, including hidden ones, but it smartly omits the `.` and `..` entries which are usually not relevant for day-to-day file management.
Pro-Tip: For an even more detailed view that includes hidden files, use `ls -al` (long listing format) or `ls -lA` to combine long listing with hidden file visibility.
Linux Tips & Tricks | © ngelinux.com | 5/9/2026