eza - Modern Command-Line Tool for Enhanced File Listing and Management

Introduction to eza

eza is a contemporary alternative to the traditional ls command found on Unix and Linux operating systems. Designed to enhance and modernize file-listing capabilities, it introduces a gamut of features that make it more user-friendly and visually appealing. Comprising just a single, efficient binary, eza stands out with its use of colors to differentiate between file types and metadata. Moreover, it is small and fast, making it a favored replacement for ls.

Key Features of eza

eza boasts numerous enhancements and features that offer a superior user experience compared to its predecessors. Here are some significant highlights:

Grid Bug Fix: It resolves the known "Grid Bug" found in previous tools.
Hyperlink Support: Enables display of file entries as clickable hyperlinks.
Mount Point Details: Provides information about mount points.
Security Contexts: Displays Selinux context information.
Git Integration: Shows the status of files in git repositories.
Human-Readable Dates: Offers relative date formats for convenience.
Bright Terminal Colors: Supports vibrant color schemes for enhanced visibility.
Customizable Themes: Users can modify the appearance using a theme.yml configuration file.

In addition to major updates, eza includes several smaller bug fixes and features, ensuring a robust file management experience.

Trying eza

If you are eager to experience eza, it is available to try with Nix, a package manager that allows users to easily install software:

nix run github:eza-community/eza

If passing arguments is required, you can use commands like:

nix run github:eza-community/eza -- -ol

Installation and Platform Availability

The eza program is cross-platform and can be installed on Windows, macOS, and Linux systems. Specific installation instructions can be found in the project's INSTALL.md file.

Command-Line Options

eza provides a vast array of command-line options, similar yet distinct from the traditional ls command:

Display Options

--oneline: Shows one file per line.
--grid: Displays files in a grid format.
--long: Extended file details.
--tree: Recursively lists directories as a tree.

Filtering Options

--all: Shows hidden files.
--reverse: Reverses sorting order.
--only-dirs/files: Lists only directories or only files.

Long View Options

--binary/bytes: File sizes with binary prefixes or in bytes.
--context: Shows file's security context.
--git: Displays git status for files.

For a comprehensive understanding of all options, users can access the man pages. These resources provide a detailed description of each feature and usage instruction.

Custom Themes

Recent updates to eza include support for custom themes. Users can create theme.yml files to personalize color schemes and file icons. Existing environment variables are supported for backward compatibility. Pre-made themes are available and can be found in the eza-themes repository.

Contributing to eza

Contributors interested in enhancing eza are welcome to get involved. Adherence to the project's code of conduct is expected, and guidelines for contributions can be found in the CONTRIBUTING.md file.

eza continues to evolve, backed by a community dedicated to improving Unix and Linux file management through innovation and open collaboration.