7 Easy Methods to List Only Directories Linux 

Written by

Ojash

Reviewed by

Akshat

Last updated: June 25, 2024

Expert verified

Having trouble keeping track of directories in Linux? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! In this post, I’ll walk you through simple, step-by-step methods to list only directories Linux. You’ll explore powerful commands like ls, find, tree, and du, and I’ll share best practices to keep your system organized and efficient. By the end of this guide, you’ll be managing your directories like a pro. Let’s make directory management easier for you!

Importance of Directory Listing in System Administration

Directory listing is a crucial task in system administration. Here’s why it matters:

• Organize Files and Directories: Directory listing helps system administrators see the structure and contents of the file system. This makes it easier to find, manage, and organize files and directories efficiently.
• Monitor System Changes: By regularly listing directories, admins can track changes in the file system. This helps in spotting new directories, unauthorized changes, and ensuring everything is correctly placed.
• Manage Disk Space: Knowing the directory structure helps in managing disk space. Admins can identify large directories and clean up unnecessary files to free up space.
• Security and Permissions: Directory listing allows admins to check and set proper permissions on directories. This ensures that only authorized users can access sensitive information.
• Backup and Recovery: Understanding the directory structure is essential for creating effective backups. It ensures that all important directories are included and can be restored accurately if needed.
• Automation and Scripting: Accurate directory listings are necessary for writing scripts that move, copy, or manipulate files and directories. This helps in automating various administrative tasks efficiently.

How to List Only Directories Linux

Here are the detailed steps for seven different methods to Linux list directories only:

1. ls Command with the -d Option

The ls command is a versatile tool in Linux that allows you to list files and directories. By using the -d option, you can modify its behavior to display only directories. This method is perfect when you want a quick overview of the directories within your current location, excluding any files or subdirectories. Here’s how to ls only directories:

1. Open the Terminal.

2. Type the following command to ls list only directories:

ls -d */

3. Press Enter to execute the command. The command will list all the directories within the current directory, excluding any files or subdirectories.

2. find Command

The find command is a powerful tool designed for searching files and directories based on various criteria. When it comes to listing directories, you can leverage the find command by specifying the -type d option. This method enables you to search for directories within the current directory and its subdirectories. Here’s how to use it to list directories:

1. Open the command prompt and type the following command:

find -type d

2. This command instructs the find command to search for directories (-type d) within the current directory and its subdirectories.

3. Tree Command

The tree command provides a visual representation of the directory structure. It will display a tree-like structure with only directories, omitting files. It can be a helpful tool to grasp the hierarchy and relationships between directories quickly. To Linux list directories using a tree, follow these steps:

1. Launch your Terminal window and execute the following command:

tree -d

2. The tree command will display a tree-like structure with only directories, omitting files.

4. du Command

The du command is primarily used to determine the disk usage of files and directories. However, it can also be employed to list directories along with their sizes. To only list directories Linux, follow these steps:

1. Access your command window and enter the following command:

du -h --max-depth=1 | grep -E '^[0-9.]+[GMK]?\s+\.\/'

This command uses du to display the sizes of directories (-h for human-readable format) within the current directory.

The --max-depth=1 flag limits the listing to the immediate subdirectories, and grep filters the output to show only directories.

The result will be a list of directories with their corresponding sizes.

5. stat Command with awk

The stat command provides detailed information about files and directories. When combined with awk, it can filter out directories.

1. Access your command window.

2. Run the following command:

for item in *; do stat "$item" | awk '/directory/ {print $0}'; done

• for item in *: Iterates over each item in the current directory.
• stat “$item”: Retrieves information about the item.
• awk ‘/directory/ {print $0}’: Filters and prints only directories.

6. Bash Built-in [[ -d ]]

This method uses a simple bash loop to check if an item is a directory using the [[ -d ]] test.

1. Launch your Terminal window.

2. Execute the following command:

for item in *; do [[ -d $item ]] && echo "$item"; done

• for item in *: Iterates over each item in the current directory.
• [[ -d $item ]]: Checks if the item is a directory.
• echo “$item”: Prints the directory name if the condition is true.

7. ls Command with grep

The ls command lists all files and directories in the current directory. By combining it with grep, you can filter the results to show only directories.

1. Open your terminal.

3. Run the following command:

ls -l | grep "^d"

• ls -l: Lists files and directories with detailed information in a long format.
• grep “^d”: Filters the output to show only lines that start with “d”, which indicates directories.

Best Practices for Efficient Directory Listing

Efficient directory listing is important for system performance and organization. By following these best practices, you can make sure your directory listing tasks are quick and resource-friendly. Here are five simple tips to help you achieve efficient directory listing:

• 📝 Use Simple Commands for Small Directories: For small directories, use basic commands like ls with appropriate filters. They are quick and require minimal system resources, making them ideal for simple tasks.
• 🔍 Limit Search Depth: When using commands like find, use options such as -maxdepth to limit the search depth. This reduces the amount of data processed, saving time and resources.
• 🕒 Schedule Resource-Heavy Tasks: Run intensive tasks, like recursive directory searches, during off-peak hours. This minimizes the impact on system performance and ensures other tasks run smoothly.
• 🧹 Regularly Clean Up Directories: Keep directories organized and free of unnecessary files. Regular maintenance helps improve directory listing speed and overall system performance by reducing clutter.
• ⚙️ Use Efficient Tools: Choose the right tool for the job. Use commands like tree for visual representations and find for complex searches. Matching the tool to the task ensures optimal performance.

Linux List Only Directories: Final Thoughts

In this article, I’ve shown you step-by-step methods to list only directories in Linux, using commands like ls, find, tree, and du. I’ve also shared best practices for efficient directory listing, such as using simple commands for small tasks and scheduling resource-heavy tasks.

If you found this guide helpful, you might want to explore more related topics:

• Learn how to create directories using the mkdir command to keep your file system organized.
• Discover how to set up a home directory for a new user, which is crucial for managing user environments.
• Find out how to copy directories on Linux, a useful skill for backing up and duplicating directory structures.

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