How to show hidden files and folders in Linux

Linux and other Unix-based operating systems consider files and folders with names beginning with a . (dot) as hidden. Unless specified or configured, file managers like Nautilus and Dolphin, or command-line tools such as ls will not show files and folders with names beginning with a ..

You can use ls at the terminal to show hidden files and folders. It is done by using the built-in option to ignore entries starting with a ..

1. Launch terminal.
2. Go to the folder that contains the hidden files or folders.

   $ cd temp/

3. List normal files and folders in the directory using ls command.

   $ ls
   file  folder

4. List all files and folders in the directory using ls command, including hidden files and folders.

   $ ls -a
   .  ..  file  folder  .hidden-file  .hidden-folder

   ls option:

   -a, --all
          do not ignore entries starting with .

   Related: How to hide or unhide files and folders in Linux

5. Show more info on the files using the ls command.

   $ ls -la
   total 16
   drwxrwxr-x 4 user user 4096 Oct 31 09:27 .
   drwxr-xr-x 5 user user 4096 Oct 31 09:26 ..
   -rw-rw-r-- 1 user user    0 Oct 31 09:27 file
   drwxrwxr-x 2 user user 4096 Oct 31 09:26 folder
   -rw-rw-r-- 1 user user    0 Oct 31 09:27 .hidden-file
   drwxrwxr-x 2 user user 4096 Oct 31 09:26 .hidden-folder

   . and .. are special folders which refers to current and one-up folder respectively

6. List files and folders using absolute path.

   $ ls -la /home/user/temp/
   total 16
   drwxrwxr-x 4 user user 4096 Oct 31 09:27 .
   drwxr-xr-x 5 user user 4096 Oct 31 09:26 ..
   -rw-rw-r-- 1 user user    0 Oct 31 09:27 file
   drwxrwxr-x 2 user user 4096 Oct 31 09:26 folder
   -rw-rw-r-- 1 user user    0 Oct 31 09:27 .hidden-file
   drwxrwxr-x 2 user user 4096 Oct 31 09:26 .hidden-folder