About bat
A cat(1) clone with wings.
Priy's verdict
2026-10-23T00:00:00+00:00
“Sometimes you only need to read a file without opening the editor. bat adds useful reading context to that terminal moment, especially for source and configuration files.”
Why bat matters
bat is a file viewer with syntax highlighting, line numbers and Git-aware display features. I'd consider it for reading a config file or inspecting a small source file from the command line. The default pager is useful for longer output, and the project documents options for changing that behavior. I would keep plain-output expectations in mind before aliasing a familiar command everywhere: scripts and terminal viewing do not always need the same presentation. The README explains how bat handles non-interactive output. The Cargo quickstart below requires a Rust toolchain; packaged binaries are another installation option.
Best for
- Developers reading code and configuration in the terminal
- People who want syntax context and line numbers while inspecting a file
Consider alternatives if
- Users who mostly read files in a graphical editor
- Workflows requiring plain output without checking command options
Related open-source projects
More curated projects in CLI & Terminal.