Eza: A Modern Replacement for the ls Command on Linux (Installation Guide + Usage)

Introduction: Eza is a contemporary alternative to the conventional command-line tool "ls," providing enhanced features and optimizations, along with customizable output options tailored to your preferences.

Distinguished by its support for hyperlinks, mount point information, SELinux context output, Git repo status, and vibrant terminal colors, Eza sets itself apart from both "ls" and other listing programs, offering a refined user experience and numerous bug fixes and improvements.

While our previous article introduced the "g" tool as another advanced replacement for "ls," boasting more features and easier installation, Eza remains a viable option worth exploring. This article delves into the installation process and usage of Eza, allowing you to determine whether it suits your needs.

Tutorial Details:

• Description: Eza
• Difficulty Level: Low
• Root or Sudo Privileges: Not Required
• OS Compatibility: Ubuntu, Manjaro, Fedora, and more
• Prerequisites: None
• Internet Required: Yes (for installation)

How to Install Eza on Linux:

Installation steps for Eza vary depending on the Linux distribution you are using. While most distributions support installation via the default package manager, additional steps are required for Debian, Ubuntu, or OpenSUSE systems. Alternatively, Homebrew and Cargo methods offer straightforward installation on these systems.

Installing Eza on Debian and Ubuntu Distribution:

1. Update system repository information and install the GPG package:

$ sudo apt update
$ sudo apt install gpg         

2. Add the repository, signing key, and install Eza using the default package manager:

shell :-

$ sudo mkdir -p /etc/apt/keyrings
$ wget -qO- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/eza-community/eza/main/deb.asc | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /etc/apt/keyrings/gierens.gpg
$ echo "deb [signed-by=/etc/apt/keyrings/gierens.gpg] https://deb.gierens.de stable main" | sudo $ tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/gierens.list
$ sudo chmod 644 /etc/apt/keyrings/gierens.gpg /etc/apt/sources.list.d/gierens.list
$ sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y eza        

Installing Eza on OpenSUSE:

1. Add the openSUSE:Factory/eza repository and install Eza using Zypper package manager:

ruby :-

$ sudo zypper ar https://download.opensuse.org/tumbleweed/repo/oss/ factory-oss
$ sudo zypper in eza        

How to Use Eza on Linux: Once installed, the "eza" command is accessible from the terminal. However, executing it without any options provides plain output. Enhance your experience by utilizing different available options or create an alias for your preferred command syntax.

For a comprehensive list of available options, use the "eza --help" command. To assist beginners, we've curated a selection of useful commands:

• eza -l: Display entries with permissions, size, user, and modified date.
• eza -la: Display all files and directories, including hidden ones.
• eza -lT: Recursively display file and directory content in a tree-like structure.
• eza --icons: Display entries with icons (requires Nerd fonts).
• eza --hyperlink: Display entries with clickable hyperlinks.
• eza --absolute: Display entries with absolute paths.
• eza -ld: Display only file entries.
• eza -l --total-size: Recursively display the total size of files and directories.
• eza -lg: Display group information for files and directories.
• eza -li: Display inode numbers for files.

For further exploration, refer to the complete list of options in the help section and feel free to experiment with different combinations.

Final Word: While Eza presents itself as a modern alternative to "ls," its features may not be compelling enough for immediate adoption, especially when compared to other tools like "g." However, your opinion matters. If you find Eza intriguing or have reasons for making the switch, share your thoughts in the comments.

Conclusion: In conclusion, Eza offers a contemporary take on file listing with its array of features and customization options. Whether it becomes your go-to tool depends on your individual preferences and requirements. Explore its capabilities, experiment with different commands, and decide if Eza aligns with your workflow.