Using the 'eza' Command for Modern File Listing (with examples)

Eza is a modern, maintained replacement for the traditional ls command, designed to offer enhanced functionality and user-friendliness. It is built on top of exa, bringing a fresh perspective to file management in the terminal. Eza offers a range of options that cater to sophisticated file listing needs, making it a versatile tool for developers and system administrators alike. Here, we explore different use cases of the eza command, each demonstrating its unique capabilities in managing and listing directories efficiently.

Use case 1: List files one per line

Code:

eza --oneline

Motivation:

Listing files one per line is particularly useful for users who work with a large number of files in a directory and need a clear, concise view that minimizes horizontal scrolling. This command is simple yet effective for quickly identifying or counting files without worrying about alignment or spacing issues.

Explanation:

• --oneline: This option outputs each file in the directory on a separate line, reducing clutter and providing a straightforward view of file names.

Example Output:

file1.txt
file2.txt
file3.txt
.hidden_file

Use case 2: List all files, including hidden files

Code:

eza --all

Motivation:

Hidden files often contain configuration data and other critical information that may not be visible by default. Listing all files, including hidden ones, is essential for developers and system administrators who need comprehensive access to every file, visible or hidden, within a directory.

Explanation:

• --all: This flag tells eza to include hidden files (files starting with a dot) in the listing.

Example Output:

file1.txt
file2.txt
.hidden_file
.config

Use case 3: Long format list (permissions, ownership, size and modification date) of all files

Code:

eza --long --all

Motivation:

A long-format list provides detailed information about each file, including permissions, ownership, size, and modification date. This is invaluable for auditing file security attributes, assessing file size, and monitoring recent modifications, making it vital for system audits and maintenance tasks.

Explanation:

• --long: This generates a detailed list of files with extended metadata.
• --all: Ensures that hidden files are also included in this comprehensive listing.

Example Output:

-rw-r--r-- 1 user group  3456 Sep 29 12:34 file1.txt
-rw-r--r-- 1 user group  6789 Oct  1 08:22 file2.txt
-rw-r--r-- 1 user group   123 Oct 10 09:48 .hidden_file

Use case 4: List files with the largest at the top

Code:

eza --reverse --sort=size

Motivation:

By sorting files from largest to smallest, users can quickly identify large files that may be consuming excessive disk space. This is particularly helpful in environments where storage optimization and cleanup tasks are regularly performed, such as in cloud storage management or system maintenance.

Explanation:

• --reverse: This reverses the sort order, ensuring the largest files appear at the top.
• --sort=size: Directs eza to sort files based on their size.

Example Output:

-rw-r--r-- 1 user group 23456 Sep 29 12:34 large_file.txt
-rw-r--r-- 1 user group  6789 Oct  1 08:22 mid_file.txt
-rw-r--r-- 1 user group  1345 Oct  5 14:22 small_file.txt

Use case 5: Display a tree of files, three levels deep

Code:

eza --long --tree --level=3

Motivation:

Visualizing a directory structure in a tree format up to a specific depth helps understand the hierarchical organization of files and directories. This is beneficial in large projects where directory nesting is common, allowing users to navigate and comprehend project structures efficiently.

Explanation:

• --long: Provides additional details about each file and directory within the tree.
• --tree: Displays the files in a hierarchical tree format.
• --level=3: Limits the tree display to three levels deep for manageability.

Example Output:

.
├── rw-r--r-- 1 user group 1234 Sep 5 17:42 file1.txt
├── rw-r--r-- 1 user group 2345 Oct  8 14:42 file2.txt
└── rd--r--r-- 1 user group 4096 Oct 10 15:21 subdir
   ├── rw-r--r-- 1 user group 100 Sep 10 10:10 subfile1.txt
   └── rd--r--r-- 1 user group 4096 Oct 10 15:23 subdir2
       └── rw-r--r-- 1 user group 100 Sep 12 12:21 subsubfile.txt

Use case 6: List files sorted by modification date (oldest first)

Code:

eza --long --sort=modified

Motivation:

Sorting files by modification date assists users in monitoring changes and updates, which is essential for tasks such as version control and ensuring that the most recent files receive the highest attention during development or maintenance.

Explanation:

• --long: Includes detailed information for each file.
• --sort=modified: Organizes files by their last modification date, with the oldest first.

Example Output:

-rw-r--r-- 1 user group  3456 Sep  1 09:00 oldest_file.txt
-rw-r--r-- 1 user group  6789 Sep 15 11:45 middle_file.txt
-rw-r--r-- 1 user group  1234 Oct  1 14:50 newest_file.txt  

Use case 7: List files with their headers, icons, and Git statuses

Code:

eza --long --header --icons --git

Motivation:

Combining file details with icons and Git statuses offers a visually enriched listing experience, making it easy to scan metadata and assess version control status simultaneously. This proves invaluable for developers working within Git repositories, allowing them to quickly determine the status of files (e.g., modified, staged).

Explanation:

• --long: Provides a detailed file listing with extended information.
• --header: Adds a header row distinguishing different columns for clarity.
• --icons: Includes file-type icons, enhancing visual recognition.
• --git: Displays the Git status of files, useful for repository management.

Example Output:

Permissions Size User Date Modified Name                      Git Status  
.drwxr-xr-x 4096 user Sep 16 09:22 📁 .git                      [untracked]
.rw-r--r--  256  user Sep 10 13:43 📄 file1.txt                 [modified]

Use case 8: Don’t list files mentioned in .gitignore

Code:

eza --git-ignore

Motivation:

Excluding files specified in .gitignore is critical in keeping workspace listings clean and focusing on actual source code files. It helps in preventing accidental modification or tracking of files that are meant to remain untouched, thereby maintaining project cleanliness and integrity.

Explanation:

• --git-ignore: Instructs eza to ignore files listed in the .gitignore, filtering them from the output.

Example Output:

file1.txt
file2.txt
additional_file.txt

Conclusion:

The eza command stands as a powerful and versatile tool for file and directory management, seamlessly accommodating various listing needs from simple tasks to complex directory visualizations. Through these use cases, eza demonstrates its capability to enhance terminal efficiency, offering options that cater to both basic file listing and advanced directory management. The rich features and ease of use make eza a compelling choice for users seeking a robust alternative to traditional file listing commands.