
A `cat` command clone with syntax highlighting, Git integration, and more.
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Tracked since2026
0 reviews trackedThe Bottom Line
Entry price
Free, no paid tier
Biggest pro
Better cat command
Biggest con
Learning new tool
TL;DR - bat
- Modern `cat` replacement with syntax highlighting.
- Integrates with Git to show file modifications.
- Features automatic paging and can be combined with other CLI tools.
Pricing: Free forever
Best for: Individuals & startups
What is bat?
bat is a command-line utility that acts as a modern replacement for the standard `cat` command. It enhances the display of file contents by adding features like syntax highlighting for a wide range of programming and markup languages, and integration with Git to show file modifications. It also includes automatic paging for large files, the ability to show non-printable characters, and seamless concatenation of multiple files.
Designed for developers and anyone who frequently views text files in the terminal, bat improves readability and provides useful context. It can be easily integrated with other command-line tools like `fzf`, `find`, `fd`, `ripgrep`, `tail -f`, and `git diff`, making it a versatile addition to any terminal workflow. Its intelligent behavior allows it to act as a simple `cat` replacement when piping output, while offering advanced features for interactive viewing.
Available on: Linux, Windows, macOS
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Better cat command
- Syntax highlighting
- Git integration
- Fast performance
- Good defaults
Cons
- Learning new tool
- Different from cat
- Config for customization
- Large binary
- Rust dependency
Key Features
Cat replacementSyntax highlightingGit integrationLine numbersTheme supportAutomatic paging
Pricing Plans
Open Source
Free
- Full source code access
- Apache License 2.0 license
- Community support
- Self-hosted
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bat FAQ
What is bat?
bat is a cat replacement that adds syntax highlighting, Git integration, and automatic paging to file viewing in the terminal.
Is bat free?
Yes, bat is completely free and open-source under the MIT/Apache 2.0 license.
How do I replace cat with bat?
Add 'alias cat=bat' to your shell config file, or use 'bat --plain' for output closer to cat.
Source: github.com