How to list hidden files on OS X and the command line
How to list hidden files on OS X
On OS X, viewing hidden files is simple! First, open up Finder, the thing you use to browse files.
Now, hold down the Command and Shift keys, then press the . key. We can also call that Command+Shift+.. The hidden files will magically appear! (unless there aren’t any hidden files, in which case nothing will change).
You can tell which files are hidden and which aren’t because hidden files have periods in front, sure, but they’re also faded out and somewhat transparent!
How to list hidden files on the command line
When you’re on the command line, The ls command normally lists files. It doesn’t show ALL of the files, though!
If you use the ls -a command instead, it includes the -a “all” flag – the command will list all of the files, including hidden files. Generally people use ls -lah, which includes three flags:
l, to list the files in “long” format, aka put one file on each rowa, so show all files (including hidden ones)h, to display file sizes in “human readable” fashion - so2.4kinstead of2498.