kdiff3
file and directory comparison and merge tool
TLDR
Compare two files
$ kdiff3 [file1] [file2]
Three-way comparison$ kdiff3 [base] [file1] [file2]
Compare directories$ kdiff3 [dir1] [dir2]
Merge with output$ kdiff3 [base] [file1] [file2] -o [merged]
Auto-select non-conflicting$ kdiff3 [base] [file1] [file2] --auto
SYNOPSIS
kdiff3 [options] [files/directories...]
DESCRIPTION
KDiff3 is a file and directory comparison and merge tool. It supports two-way and three-way comparisons, making it suitable for resolving merge conflicts and reviewing changes.KDiff3 highlights differences with colors and allows selecting which version to use for each conflict. It integrates with version control systems as a merge tool.
PARAMETERS
-o file
Output merged file.--auto
Automatically select non-conflicting changes.-m, --merge
Merge mode.--cs setting=value
Configuration setting.--qall
Quiet (auto-mode only).-L1, -L2, -L3 label
Labels for inputs.
GIT INTEGRATION
$ # Configure as merge tool
git config --global merge.tool kdiff3
git config --global mergetool.kdiff3.path /usr/bin/kdiff3
# Configure as diff tool
git config --global diff.tool kdiff3
git config --global merge.tool kdiff3
git config --global mergetool.kdiff3.path /usr/bin/kdiff3
# Configure as diff tool
git config --global diff.tool kdiff3
INSTALL
sudo apt install kdiff3
sudo dnf install kdiff3
sudo pacman -S kdiff3
sudo apk add kdiff3
sudo zypper install kdiff3
nix profile install nixpkgs#kdiff3
CAVEATS
Requires KDE libraries. Three-way merge needs common ancestor. Large files may be slow. Binary files not compared.
HISTORY
KDiff3 was created by Joachim Eibl as a Qt/KDE application for comparing and merging files. It became a popular choice for resolving version control conflicts.
SEE ALSO
diff(1), meld(1), vimdiff(1), git-mergetool(1)
