Linux tools for higher productivity

[2018-06-20]

I list a few command line tools I found over the years and find useful

I list the tools in descending order from most useful to least (for me).

rofi

A window switcher, application launcher for the X system. You never have to touch icons or search apps again. You can customize launching anything from rofi. Keyboard shortcuts can be added with xbindkeys.

fzf

A command-line fuzzy finder, very useful when search files or directories. Commands:

  • ALT-C quick change directory
  • CTLR-R improved command history
  • CTRL-T quick search of files
  • file auto-complete e.g. vim **<TAB> to search a specific file

oh-my-zsh

Themes and plugins for zsh.

ag

The “the_silver_searcher” searches files with specific content. I use this alias:

alias agg='ag --pager "less -R"'

ranger

An alternative to midnight commander, great for exploring directory structures (e.g. project files) uses the VIM shortcuts.

bat

An improved version of cat.

icdiff

File diff using colors.

exa

An improved ls command. I use it to list files as a tree with 2 levels (otherwise it’s too much output):

exa -T -L 2 -l

tmux

A terminal multiplexer, like screen but better.

Less used tools, but could come in handy

mtr

Traceroute + ping in one tool. Makes it easier to search for lags in network.

httpie

A nicer looking curl.

tig

Git-repository browser for the terminal.

aria2c

A download utility. Can download from multiple sources or through multiple connections. Supports HTTP, (S)FTP and BitTorrent

liboping/oping

An improved ping with graphs, histograms etc. I never used it, but it looks cool ☺.