What it does
eza is a terminal file-listing utility designed as a feature-rich alternative to `ls`. It uses color to distinguish file types and metadata, understands symlinks and extended attributes, and can display Git repository status. The official project is maintained by the eza community and its release license is EUPL-1.2.
Use eza when the ordinary directory listing hides details you want to spot quickly. Run eza -l for a long view of file metadata, or add the documented Git status option when you are browsing a working tree. It remains a listing command, so pair it with a search tool when you need to find files by content or across a large tree.
The README offers packages and installation paths for Windows, macOS, and Linux, and notes that eza is distributed as a single binary. Its long-view options expose items such as permissions, links, size, and timestamps. The project’s EUPL-1.2 license is recorded in the official release source; check that license’s terms before embedding or redistributing a modified build.
Strengths
- Shows file types, metadata, symlink details, and Git repository status.
- Offers long-view options for permissions, timestamps, and file size.
- The official project uses EUPL-1.2.
Watch out for
- It lists files and metadata; it does not search file contents or replace an editor.
- Redistributors should review the EUPL-1.2 terms for their distribution model.
Best for
- Inspecting a working tree from the terminal
- Reading file permissions, timestamps, and directory contents without opening each file
Sources
- README.md | eza-community/eza (Oct 25, 2026)
- LICENSE.txt | eza-community/eza v0.23.4 (Oct 25, 2026)
- Latest release | eza-community/eza GitHub API (Oct 25, 2026)