Displaying Directory Structure in a Tree Format in Linux

The tree command in Linux displays the directory structure in a hierarchical, tree-like format, providing a clear visual representation of files and subdirectories.

• tree command helps visualize the organization of the filesystem.
• It can include hidden files and limit the depth of display.
• Useful for quickly analyzing complex directory structures.

Below are examples of the tree command in Linux.

Display the tree hierarchy of a directory  

• The tree command displays the complete hierarchical structure of a directory, showing all its subdirectories and files in a tree-like format

tree -a ./GFG 

Syntax of tree Command in Linux 

tree [options]

Installing `tree` Command in Linux

By default, the tree command is not installed. Type the following command to install the same 

Installation in Ubuntu

sudo apt update

sudo apt install tree -y

The -y automatically confirms the installation.

Note that in version greater than RHEL 8, we need to need dnf command.
For example, in installation in RHEL 9.

sudo dnf install tree

Installation in Debian / Mint / Ubuntu Linux

sudo apt-get install tree 

Installation in Apple OS X

brew install tree

If we want to display the directory structure using the simple `tree` command without adding any option.

Here `tree` command will output the directory structure, starting from the current directory.

Examples of tree command

Given below the list of examples of tree command in linux:

1. List files with entered pattern 

• The tree command can list only those files and directories that match a specified pattern, helping to filter and display relevant results within the hierarchy.

tree -P sample* . 

2. Listing Only Files Recursively

• The tree command by default shows both files and directories. If you want to list only files, you can use:

tree -daifv --noreport . | xargs -I {} tree -aifv -L 1 --noreport {} | xargs -I {} find {} -prune -type f

3. List those directories which have greater 'N' number of files/directories 

• The tree command can display only those directories that contain more than a specified number (N) of files or subdirectories, helping identify large or content-heavy folders.

tree --filelimit 3 ./GFG 

4. List files with their permissions. 

• The tree command can display files along with their permission details, allowing users to view access rights for each file and directory in the hierarchy.

tree -p ./GFG 

5. Prints the device number to which the file or directory belongs.

• The tree --device command displays the device number associated with each file or directory, indicating the specific storage device or filesystem they belong to.

tree --device ./GFG 

6. Prints the output by last modification time instead of alphabetically.

• The tree -t command displays the directory contents sorted by the last modification time rather than alphabetically, with the most recently modified files shown first. 

tree -t ./GFG

7. Filtering for Specific File Type

• If you want to display only PDF files inside a directory structure, you can modify the command:

tree -aif --noreport | grep "\.pdf$"

Options Available in `tree` Command in Linux

Why Use Tree Instead of Other Commands

Many users compare tree with other directory listing tools like ls, find, and du. Adding this section can boost engagement and keyword ranking:

• Better Visualization: Unlike ls and find, the tree command visually represents the directory structure.
• Customizable Output: tree supports sorting, filtering, and formatting, making it more flexible than ls -R.
• File and Directory Counts: Unlike find, tree provides a summary of files, directories, and their sizes.
• Readable Hierarchy: Unlike du, which shows sizes, tree makes folder relationships clear.

Suggested Quiz

Edit Quiz

5 Questions

What is the primary purpose of the tree command in Linux?

• A

  To copy directory contents

• B

  To show directory structure in a hierarchical view

• C

  To delete files recursively

• D

  To only display hidden files

Explanation:

tree visually displays directory and subdirectory layout in a branching structure.

Which option shows hidden files and directories in the tree output?

• A

  tree -d

• B

  tree -a

• C

  tree -p

• D

  tree -f

Explanation:

tree -a includes all hidden entries that start with a dot, just like ls -a.

You want to restrict tree depth to only 2 levels. Which option should you use?

• A

  tree -L 2

• B

  tree -d 2

• C

  tree -t 2

• D

  tree -r 2

Explanation:

tree -L limits how deep the directory levels are displayed.

Which command sorts the tree output by last modification time instead of alphabetically?

• A

  tree -r

• B

  tree -p

• C

  tree -t

• D

  tree -f

Explanation:

tree -t shows items in order of recent modification rather than alphabetical order.

You want to view only directories, excluding files. Which option is correct?

• A

  tree -f

• B

  tree -a

• C

  tree -d

• D

  tree --device

Explanation:

tree -d filters output to show only directories and not files.

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