If you’re comfortable using ls to navigate your filesystem, you already know how valuable it is for working in the terminal. But sometimes, ls feels a bit outdated. eza is a modern alternative that enhances the experience by introducing features like icons, better color schemes, and additional metadata without sacrificing performance.

eza is fast, lightweight, and packed with features that make your terminal more informative and visually appealing. Whether you’re listing files for quick inspection or reviewing the state of your project, eza ensures you’ll never want to go back to ls.

What Makes eza Special?

eza takes everything we love about ls and improves it with thoughtful features like:

• Icons: Add visual context for file types, making it easier to scan through directories (with a compatible font).
• Color-enhanced output: File types, permissions, and metadata are highlighted for better readability.
• Group directories first: A cleaner organization for your file listings.
• Git integration: Shows changes in tracked files when inside a Git repository.
• Detailed metadata: Permissions, file sizes, and more are clearly displayed.

Here's an example of eza in action:

Notice how directories are grouped, icons make identification faster, and colors enhance readability.

How to Install eza

Installing eza depends on your operating system. Here are the most common methods:

• macOS (Homebrew):

brew install eza

• Linux (Debian/Ubuntu):

Add the repository as described in the official documentation, then run:

sudo apt install eza

• Using Rust (Cargo):

If you have Rust installed:

cargo install eza

Check the official site for more installation options on platforms like Arch Linux, Fedora, or even Windows.

My Favorite Aliases for eza

Using eza is great, but setting up aliases can make it even better. Here are the ones I use every day:

alias l='eza --color=always --color-scale=all --color-scale-mode=gradient --icons=always --group-directories-first'
alias ll='eza --color=always --color-scale=all --color-scale-mode=gradient --icons=always --group-directories-first -l --git -h'
alias la='eza --color=always --color-scale=all --color-scale-mode=gradient --icons=always --group-directories-first -a'
alias lla='eza --color=always --color-scale=all --color-scale-mode=gradient --icons=always --group-directories-first -a -l --git -h'

• l: A compact, colorful view that includes icons and groups directories at the top.
• ll: Adds a detailed view with permissions, file sizes, and Git status for tracked files.
• la: Displays hidden files (dotfiles) along with the standard compact view.
• lla: Combines the detailed view, hidden files, and Git status for a comprehensive listing.

I’ve also created a repository of aliases that includes a guide to set these up and many more. Feel free to check it out!

An Upgrade Your Terminal Deserves

eza is more than a simple replacement for ls. It’s a complete upgrade that brings clarity and style to your terminal workflow. From better organization to Git integration, it’s a tool designed for developers who spend a lot of time in the terminal.

Try it out, customize it to your needs, and see how it transforms the way you interact with your filesystem. Once you’ve experienced what eza offers, you won’t look back.