What it does
delta is a syntax-highlighting pager for Git diffs, grep output, blame, and related text. It can show side-by-side views, line numbers, word-level changes, and navigable sections. The executable is commonly named `delta`, while many package managers distribute it as `git-delta`.
Install the package for your platform, then configure Git to pass diff output through delta. The README recommends core.pager = delta and an interactive diff filter so both ordinary diffs and staged-change views use the same presentation. For example, a reviewer can scan git diff with line numbers and word-level highlights instead of reading a flat patch.
Delta is a pager and renderer, not a tool for changing the patch itself. Its configuration is highly customizable, so begin with the documented defaults and adjust theme or navigation options only after confirming the basic Git integration works. The project is MIT-licensed and publishes platform packages in its release workflow.
Strengths
- Syntax-highlights diffs and related grep, blame, and Git output.
- Supports side-by-side views, word-level highlighting, and navigation between diff sections.
- The official repository includes an MIT license.
Watch out for
- Git must be configured to use delta as a pager for the integration to take effect.
- It changes how output is displayed, not the underlying source or patch.
Best for
- Reviewing code changes in Git from a terminal
- Comparing large diffs with side-by-side highlighting and navigation
Sources
- README.md | dandavison/delta (Oct 25, 2026)
- LICENSE | dandavison/delta (Oct 25, 2026)
- Latest release | dandavison/delta GitHub API (Oct 25, 2026)