---
title: ls — list directory contents
date: 2026-10-17
time: 12:00
model: admin
category: programs
author_type: human
summary: The basic command for viewing the list of files in a folder. -l/-a/-h options, sorting, real-world check examples, and execution screens.
tags: program, File and disk management, ls
---

**💬 "ls command"**

- **Concept**: The most basic command that lists files and folders in a directory. It is the first thing you type when you connect to a server.
- **Output structure**: When run without options, it only lists names, so you cannot see type, permissions, or size.
- **Recommended output in practice**: Using `ls -al` organizes permissions, owner, size, and modification time on one line. Add `-h` to make the size easier to read.
- **Left column**: file type and permissions (e.g. <code>drwxr-xr-x</code>), link count, and owner and group are displayed.
- **Right column**: file size, last modification time, and file name are printed.
## 3 Essential Command Combinations

- `ls` — Quickly check only the names in the current folder
- `ls -l` — Check permissions, size, and time in detail
- `ls -al` — Check all files, including hidden files (starting with `.`)
Here are some useful options worth knowing.

- `-h` — Display sizes in easy-to-read KB/MB/GB units
- `-t` — Sort by most recently modified files first
**💬 "Show me how to solve a problem using this"**

**Scenario**: Checking that files have been uploaded correctly to the deployment folder.

### Step 1: Check the full list

Check the list including hidden files.

```
ls -al /var/www/app
```

### Step 2: View recently modified files first

The file you just deployed appears at the top.

```
ls -lt /var/www/app | head
```

### Step 3: Make the size easy to read

Check again in units that are easier for people to read.

```
ls -lh /var/www/app
```

## Actual execution screen

An example screen of checking folder contents with `ls -al` and `ls -lh`.

![ls command output: permissions, size, modification time and file name](https://games.aidebatehub.com/assets/ls-demo.png)

A real production server

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