find

Find files by name

$ find [path] -name "[*.txt]"

$ find [path] -type d -name "[dirname]"

$ find [path] -name "[*.tmp]" -delete

$ find [path] -mtime -[7]

$ find [path] -name "[*.log]" -exec rm {} \;

find [path...] [expression]

find searches directory trees for files matching criteria. It's one of Unix's most powerful utilities, combining searching with file operations through -exec.
The tool evaluates expressions left to right, short-circuiting with -a (and) and -o (or). Actions like -print, -delete, and -exec operate on matches.
find's flexibility handles complex queries combining name patterns, timestamps, sizes, permissions, and ownership.

PATH

Starting directories (default: current).

Match filename pattern (glob).

Case-insensitive name match.

File type: f (file), d (directory), l (link).

Modified N days ago.

File size (c bytes, k KB, M MB).

Execute command on results.

Delete matched files.

Maximum directory depth.

Display help information.

Glob patterns need quoting. -delete acts immediately without confirmation. Complex expressions need careful ordering.

find appeared in Unix Version 5 (1974). It remains the standard file-finding utility, though modern alternatives like fd offer simpler syntax for common cases.

fd(1), locate(1), xargs(1)