A cat clone with syntax highlighting, line numbers, and Git integration - a modern replacement for cat.
cat with syntax highlighting, line numbers, and Git integration.
# View file with syntax highlighting
bat README.md
# Multiple files
bat file1.js file2.py
# With line numbers (default)
bat script.sh
# Without line numbers
bat -p script.sh
# Plain mode (like cat)
bat -p file.txt
# Show non-printable characters
bat -A file.txt
# Squeeze blank lines
bat -s file.txt
# Paging (auto for large files)
bat --paging=always file.txt
bat --paging=never file.txt
# Auto-detect from extension
bat script.py
# Force specific language
bat -l javascript config.txt
# Show all languages
bat --list-languages
# List available themes
bat --list-themes
# Use specific theme
bat --theme="Monokai Extended" file.py
# Set default theme in config
# ~/.config/bat/config: --theme="Dracula"
# Show specific lines
bat -r 10:20 file.txt
# From line to end
bat -r 100: file.txt
# Start to specific line
bat -r :50 file.txt
# Multiple ranges
bat -r 1:10 -r 50:60 file.txt
# Show Git modifications (added/removed/modified lines)
bat --diff file.txt
# Show decorations (Git + file header)
bat --decorations=always file.txt
# Output raw (no styling)
bat --style=plain file.txt
# Customize style
bat --style=numbers,changes file.txt
# Available styles: auto, full, plain, changes, header, grid, numbers, snip
bat --style=header,grid,numbers file.txt
Quick file preview:
bat file.json
View logs with syntax highlighting:
bat error.log
Compare files visually:
bat --diff file1.txt
bat file2.txt
Preview before editing:
bat config.yaml && vim config.yaml
Cat replacement in pipes:
bat -p file.txt | grep "pattern"
View specific function:
bat -r 45:67 script.py # If function is on lines 45-67
As pager for man pages:
export MANPAGER="sh -c 'col -bx | bat -l man -p'"
man grep
With ripgrep:
rg "pattern" -l | xargs bat
With fzf:
fzf --preview 'bat --color=always --style=numbers {}'
With diff:
diff -u file1 file2 | bat -l diff
Create ~/.config/bat/config for defaults:
# Set theme
--theme="Dracula"
# Show line numbers, Git modifications and file header, but no grid
--style="numbers,changes,header"
# Use italic text on terminal
--italic-text=always
# Add custom mapping
--map-syntax "*.conf:INI"
-p for plain mode when piping--paging=never when output is used programmaticallybat caches parsed files for faster subsequent accessalias cat='bat -p' for drop-in cat replacementexport PAGER="bat"batcat instead of bat~/.config/bat/syntaxes/bat --paging=never or plain cat-p / --plain: Plain mode (no line numbers/decorations)-n / --number: Only show line numbers-A / --show-all: Show non-printable characters-l / --language: Set language for syntax highlighting-r / --line-range: Only show specific line range(s)GitHub: https://github.com/sharkdp/bat
Man page: man bat
Customization: https://github.com/sharkdp/bat#customization