bat

View file with syntax highlighting

$ bat [file.js]

$ bat -n [file.py]

$ bat -A [file.txt]

$ bat -p [file.log]

$ bat [file1.rs] [file2.rs]

$ bat -l [python] [script]

bat [options] [file...]

bat is a cat clone with syntax highlighting and Git integration. It displays file contents with automatic language detection, line numbers, and Git diff indicators in the margin.
The tool provides a more user-friendly file viewing experience for developers and system administrators.

-n, --number

Show line numbers

Show non-printable characters

Plain mode (no decorations)

Specify language for syntax highlighting

Highlight specific lines

When to use pager (auto, always, never)

Configure output style

Color theme

List supported languages

List available themes

~/.config/bat/config

Default command-line options applied automatically. One option per line (e.g. --theme, --style).

- Syntax highlighting for 200+ languages
- Git integration (shows modifications)
- Line numbers
- Non-printable character display
- Automatic paging
- File concatenation
- Themes support
- Integrates with less pager

Not a drop-in cat replacement for scripts (use cat for pipelines). Slower than cat on large files. Themes require true color terminal. Some syntax highlighting requires additional setup.

bat was created by David Peter (sharkdp) in 2018 as a modern replacement for cat with syntax highlighting and Git awareness.

cat(1), less(1), highlight(1)