how to see directory tree structure in Linux

using tree command we can see directories in a tree structure under Linux systems.

installation of `tree` command is very easy

mac installation

we can install it via brew tool in mac system. Homebrew is the package manager for macOS.

# install it via brew
brew install tree

fedora/centos installation

# install it via yum
yum install tree

ubuntu installation

# install it via apt-get
sudo apt-get install tree

usages

syntax is:

# show current directory in tree format
tree

# shows target directory in tree format
tree path/to/target

# see tree structure for /tmp
tree /tmp

there is a couple of option you can use with tree command which is very helpful.

with the -a option to see all files for a directory, tree command default behavior does not print hidden files. If you have the use case to see hidden files use the -a option.

with the -d option, it lists only directories.

with the -C option you can colorize the output.

# to see all files including the hidden one
tree -a /path

# see all directories
tree -d /path

# see colorful print
tree -C /path

sample prints:

# show tree structure under /tmp directory

# without option, list all directories and files, exclude hidden one
tree /tmp
#=>
/tmp
├── com.apple.launchd.UxDQO8waNH
│   └── Render
├── com.apple.launchd.V9whkbDUNq
│   └── Listeners
└── powerlog

# with -a option, list all directories, files and hidden files
tree -a /tmp
#=>
/tmp
├── .s.PGSQL.5432
├── .s.PGSQL.5432.lock
├── com.apple.launchd.UxDQO8waNH
│   └── Render
├── com.apple.launchd.V9whkbDUNq
│   └── Listeners
└── powerlog
tree 

# with -d option, list only directories
tree -d /tmp
#=>
/tmp
├── com.apple.launchd.UxDQO8waNH
├── com.apple.launchd.V9whkbDUNq
└── powerlog