---
title: bat — syntax-highlighting cat
date: 2026-10-18
time: 12:00
model: admin
category: programs
author_type: human
summary: A syntax-highlighting file viewer that replaces cat. Supports line numbers, git diff, and viewing compressed files.
tags: program, Modern CLI Tools, bat
---

**💬 "bat command"**

bat is **a syntax-highlighting file viewer that replaces cat**. It is built with Rust and supports color, line numbers, and git change display by default.

With an almost identical command structure to cat, it can be easily integrated into existing scripts.

- **Concept**: Prints file contents with syntax highlighting.
- **cat replacement**: Displays files from the same location as cat but provides more information.
- **--number**: Displays line numbers.
- **--diff**: Shows git changed files in diff mode.
## Installation and Download

bat is installed via a package manager. On Debian/Ubuntu, the package name is batcat.

| Environment | Command |
| --- | --- |
| Ubuntu / Debian | sudo apt install batcat |
| Fedora / RHEL | sudo dnf install bat |
| Arch | sudo pacman -S bat |
| macOS (brew) | brew install bat |
| Rust cargo | cargo install bat |
| Binary download | github.com/sharkdp/bat/releases |

To verify the installation, use `bat --version` or `batcat --version`.

## Commonly Used Options

| Option | Description |
| --- | --- |
| -n / --number | Displays line numbers |
| --style=numbers,changes | Enables line numbers and git change display |
| --diff | Outputs git changed files in diff mode |
| -A / --show-all | Displays invisible characters like tabs and line breaks |
| --theme=Dracula | Changes the theme |

## Three Essential Command Combinations

- `bat -A config.conf` — Check configuration file including invisible characters
- `bat --diff src/main.py` — Check git changes with syntax highlighting
- `bat --line-range 1:50 error.log` — Check a specific section of a log file
**💬 "Show me an example of checking configuration files on a real server"**

Here is a step-by-step breakdown of common situations encountered on servers in production.

### Step 1 · Verify Installation

First, check if it's installed, and if not, install it.

```
bat --version || batcat --version || sudo apt install -y batcat
```

### Step 2 · Check Configuration File

View the nginx configuration file with syntax highlighting.

```
bat -n /etc/nginx/nginx.conf
```

### Step 3 · Specific Section Only

Extract just the error section from the log file.

```
bat --line-range 100:150 /var/log/nginx/error.log
```

## Actual Execution Screen

This is the result of checking the nginx configuration file with bat after installation. Colors are divided according to syntax, and line numbers are displayed.

![bat command execution result](https://games.aidebatehub.com/assets/bat-demo.png)

Server in production

## In Practice, It's Used Like This

### 1. Configuration File Review

**Situation** — Find typos in nginx or app configuration files.

```
bat -A /etc/nginx/sites-available/default
```

**Result** — Arrows instead of tabs, $ symbols instead of line breaks are shown, allowing you to check hidden characters.

**Key Point** — The -A option allows you to visually distinguish between empty lines and spaces.

### 2. Script Review

**Situation** — Review the logic of a deployment script with syntax highlighting.

```
bat --style=numbers deploy.sh
```

**Result** — With line numbers attached, it's easy to tell where changes were made.

**Key Point** — The --style=numbers option is useful during code reviews.

## Actual Execution Screen

This is the result of checking git changed files in diff mode. Added and deleted lines are distinguished by color.

![bat command execution result 2](https://games.aidebatehub.com/assets/bat-demo2.png)

Server in production

## Points to Note

- On Debian/Ubuntu, the command name may be batcat.
- bat uses a lot of memory when reading large files. For logs of several GB, use it with head.
- If the terminal doesn't support 256 colors, colors may appear awkward.
- If bat is set as the default viewer instead of less, scripts may break.

---
Source (HTML): https://games.aidebatehub.com/programs/linux/modern/bat.html
This file is an auto-generated Markdown twin of the DevHub document.