10 must have tools for the Linux console

created: 09.06.25, 16:31 CET - last update: 11.06.25, 11:50 CET [15]

The Linux console is powerful, very powerful. It doesnt really lack a lot - but you can enhance your experience with a few tools every console user should have.

Everyone uses ls, grep, find, df.... But there are better alternatives for these tools that make your life as a Linux console enthusiast even better. Here are 10 of them.

This is my selection. It is not complete. If you don't like something - just don't use it or find something better :)

1. ZSH

The Z shell - command-line completion, extended file globbing, improved variable/array handling,themeable prompts, ....

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z_shell

use your distros package manager to install

here 4 examples:

autosuggestions (searches in whole history):

zsg1

mass rename:

zsh2

recursive file listing:

zsh3

list all executables in folder:

zsh4

2. EZA

ls on steroids:

https://github.com/eza-community/eza

eza

3. BAT

the better cat

https://github.com/sharkdp/bat

bat

4. RIPGREP

RIP grep

https://github.com/BurntSushi/ripgrep

ripgrep

5. FZF

Fuzzy finder for files, commands, directories and much more ...

https://github.com/junegunn/fzf

fzf

fuzzy finding with live preview in split pane: fzf

6. TLDR

minimalistic man pages

https://github.com/tldr-pages/tldr

tldr

7. BTOP

resource monitor

https://github.com/aristocratos/btop

btop

8. ENTR

run commands when a file changes

https://github.com/eradman/entr

entr

9. CLOC

count lines of code in a project

https://github.com/AlDanial/cloc

cloc

10. DUF

Disk Usage/Free utility

https://github.com/muesli/duf

duf

Ok, it wasn't easy because there are many many useful tools out there.. so these ones and many others didnt make it:

tmux - terminal multiplexer

multitail - tail for multiple files at once

zoxide - the better cd

jq - JSON processor

nmap - network exploration tool

aria2 - download utility

speedtest-cli - test your internet connection speed

yazi - very fast file manager

chafa - image printing in terminal

hyperfine - benchmarking tool

fastfetch - displays system info

mail me if you found something very wrong: webmaster@elbro.fun