How to Change Colors for ls in Bash [4 Best Methods]

Written by

Ojash

Reviewed by

Akshat

Last updated: July 2, 2024

Expert verified

Managing files in your terminal can be a hassle without visual aids. Changing the colors of the ls command in Bash can make this task much easier. In this post, I’ll show you how to customize ls colors, fix common errors, and improve your terminal experience. By the end, you’ll have a personalized and efficient setup. Ready to transform your terminal? Let’s explore and make those colors work for you!

What is ls?

The ls command in Linux and Unix-like operating systems stands for list. It is used to list files and directories within the file system. When executed, ls displays the contents of a specified directory or the current working directory if no directory is specified. It provides a quick and efficient way to view and manage files, showing details such as file names, sizes, and modification dates.

Why Customizing ls Color Output Can Improve Productivity

1. Visual Differentiation

• Quick Identification: Custom colors allow users to quickly distinguish between different types of files (e.g., directories, executable files, symbolic links) at a glance.
• Error Reduction: Reduced chance of mistakes, such as accidentally modifying the wrong file type, due to clear visual cues.

2. Enhanced Readability

• Clarity: Different colors can improve the readability of the directory listings, especially in directories with a large number of files.
• Focus: Users can highlight specific file types that are relevant to their tasks, allowing for easier navigation and focus on important files.

3. Personalization

• Tailored Work Environment: Customizing the color scheme to suit personal preferences can make the working environment more comfortable and efficient.
• Accessibility: Adjusting colors to meet accessibility needs, such as color blindness adjustments, can make the command output more usable for all users.

4. Efficiency

• Speed: Faster identification of file types and statuses can save time, especially for users who frequently navigate complex directory structures.
• Consistency: Maintaining a consistent color scheme across different systems can help users work more fluidly when switching between environments.

Default Output

The default ls output typically uses a standard color scheme defined by the system. For example:

• Directories: Blue
• Executable Files: Green
• Symbolic Links: Cyan
• Compressed Files: Red

While this is functional, it may not be optimized for every user’s needs or preferences.

How to Change Colors for ls in Bash

Keep reading for the detailed step-by-step guide for 4 different methods to change the color of ls in bash:

1. dircolors Command

Enhance your Terminal experience with the power of the dircolors command. This method allows you to configure colors for various file types in ls output, making it easier to distinguish between directories, files, and more. Follow these steps to customize your ls colors:

1. Open your Terminal window.

2. If you don’t have dircolors installed, you can easily do so using your package manager. On Ubuntu, execute the following command:

sudo apt-get install dircolors

3. This command uses the package manager to install the dircolors utility.

4. Once dircolors is installed, create a custom configuration file using this command:

dircolors --print-database > ~/.dircolors

5. The dircolors --print-database command generates the default color configuration, and > ~/.dircolors saves it in a file named .dircolors in the user’s home directory.

6. By default the colors of directories and files look like this:

7. Open the ~/.dircolors file in a text editor by running the command:

sudo nano ~/.dircolors

8. The file contains a list of file types and their corresponding color codes.

9. Now customize the colors according to your preferences. In this case, I am changing color code for directories.

10. Save the changes to your shell profile file and then reload the shell or open a new Terminal window for the changes to take effect.

2. LS_COLORS Environment Variable

Customize your ls colors effortlessly by mastering the LS_COLORS environment variable. With this method, you gain the flexibility to define colors for different file types, elevating file organization and efficiency. Customize your ls colors with these simple steps:

1. To check the current LS_COLORS configuration, run the following command:

echo $LS_COLORS

2. This command displays the current LS_COLORS configuration set in the environment.

3. Directly modify LS_COLORS to specify file types and their desired color codes. For example:

export LS_COLORS="di=01;34:fi=0;37"

4. This command sets the LS_COLORS environment variable with custom color codes. In this example, di represents directories, fi represents regular files, 01;34 represents the color code for directories (blue), and 0;37 represents the color code for regular files (white).

3. Bash Aliases

Discover the convenience of Bash aliases to tailor your ls output. By creating shortcuts and adding advanced information like file sizes and permissions, this method streamlines your file navigation. Follow these steps to change your ls colors using aliases:

1. Create an enhanced alias to include additional information, such as file sizes and permissions by running the following command:

alias ls='ls --color=auto -lh'

2. This enhanced alias displays ls output in long format with human-readable file sizes and colorizes the output.

4. Custom Scripts for ls Color Customization

Embrace ultimate control over your ls colors with custom scripts. This method opens doors to endless possibilities, allowing you to craft a truly unique and tailored Terminal experience that reflects your creativity and workflow. Follow these steps:

1. Using a text editor, create a Bash script that defines your preferred color scheme for different file types. Inside the script, use ANSI escape codes to specify the colors you want to apply.

2. Ensure that the script has executable permissions using the chmod command:

chmod +x custom_ls_colors.sh

3. This command grants execute permissions to the custom_ls_colors.sh script, allowing you to run it as a standalone executable.

4. Execute the script to apply your custom colors to ls output:

./custom_ls_colors.sh

5. By running the script, the custom colors defined in the script will be applied to the ls command, enhancing the visual appearance of the file listings in your Terminal.

4 Common Errors When Changing Colors for ls in Bash

When customizing ls colors in Bash, you might encounter some common issues. Understanding how to troubleshoot these can save time and keep your workflow smooth. Here are four common issues and how to fix them.

• 🔧 Incorrect Color Codes: If you see unusual colors or no colors at all, check your LS_COLORS settings for typos or invalid codes. Use a reference guide to ensure you use the correct syntax.
• 🔒 File Permission Issues: Sometimes, changes don’t apply due to file permission problems. Ensure your .bashrc or .bash_profile has the right permissions. Use chmod to adjust permissions if needed.
• 💻 Terminal Emulator Settings: If your colors don’t display correctly, it might be a terminal emulator issue. Check your terminal settings to ensure it supports color and uses the correct color scheme.
• ♻️ Changes Not Applied: After editing configuration files, you might not see changes. Make sure to reload your Bash configuration using source ~/.bashrc or restart your terminal to apply the updates.

To Sum Up

In this article, I have walked through step-by-step methods to change ls colors in Bash, covering everything from using dircolors and the LS_COLORS environment variable to creating Bash aliases and custom scripts.

For further learning, I recommend checking out:

• Tips on sorting ls command by date and time for better file organization.
• Advanced techniques for using the grep command in Linux to enhance text searches.
• Methods to display hidden files in Linux to improve file management and navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions