In this post, we discuss Modern command line tools that can replace classic Linux command line tools like ls, cat, and grep on Debian systems. Whether you prefer using apt or cargo, this guide walks you through powerful and user-friendly alternatives to boost productivity and readability.
Summary
This post is a quick-start guide for modernising your terminal setup on Debian or Ubuntu. You’ll find apt-installable replacements and Rust-based alternatives that outperform and outshine their classic Unix counterparts. From ls to grep, and from ps to man, your terminal experience can be transformed for better productivity and readability.
Background: Modern Command Line Tools
Linux command-line tools like ls, cat, and grep have served users for decades, but newer, faster, and more user-friendly alternatives are now available. This post covers modern replacements for classic utilities on Debian systems, divided into two groups: apt-installable and Rust-based tools via Cargo.
You’ll discover enhancements in these modern command line tools like syntax-highlighted cat (via bat), improved ls (exa), faster find (fd), and even graphical pings (gping). Whether you’re a Linux veteran or just starting out, upgrading your CLI toolkit can improve productivity, readability, and user experience. A comparison table, install tips, and links are included to help you choose between apt simplicity or Cargo-powered performance.
Linux कमांड लाइन टूल्स जैसे ls, cat, और grep दशकों से उपयोग में हैं, लेकिन अब इनके आधुनिक और अधिक उपयोगकर्ता-हितैषी विकल्प उपलब्ध हैं। इस पोस्ट में Debian सिस्टम के लिए दो प्रकार के नए टूल्स बताए गए हैं — apt से इंस्टॉल होने वाले और Rust-आधारित cargo से इंस्टॉल होने वाले। जैसे bat (बेहतर cat), exa (ls का कलर और Git इंटीग्रेटेड वर्जन), fd (find का तेज़ विकल्प), और gping (ग्राफिकल पिंग)। यह गाइड दिखाता है कि किस तरह आप अपने कमांड लाइन अनुभव को और बेहतर बना सकते हैं। साथ ही एक तुलना तालिका, इंस्टॉलेशन गाइड और उपयोगी लिंक भी दिए गए हैं, ताकि आप apt की सरलता और Cargo की परफॉर्मेंस के बीच सही चुनाव कर सकें।
Introduction
Many command-line tools in the Unix/Linux ecosystem have remained unchanged since the 1970s. Utilities like awk, grep, and sed were born during the heydays of Unix, while others like curl emerged in the early days of the Internet. These tools are time-tested and powerful, but as user needs, system complexity, networking demands, and security protocols have evolved, newer tools have emerged that offer more functionality, better performance, and improved UX.
While learning the command line, it’s crucial to understand and master the “age-old” tools. However, it’s equally important to stay up to date with newer alternatives that might make your workflow smoother, safer, or more efficient. The purpose of this blog post is to introduce modern alternatives to many standard Unix/Linux tools—some available directly through apt, and others written in Rust and installable via cargo.
Apt-Installable Modern Command Line Tools
Many of the modern command line tools for linux (Debian) can be easily installed using apt on Debian or Ubuntu systems. Some may require Rust or additional build tools, which are listed in the second half of this post.
File Navigation tools
ls→exa: Adds colours, Git integration, and tree views.tree→lsd: A modern replacement with icons and improved aesthetics.
File Viewing and Management
cat→bat: Displays syntax highlighting, line numbers, and Git integration.less→most,moar: Better paging and visual enhancements.
System Monitoring
top→htop,bpytop: Graphical interfaces with performance stats.ps→procs: Structured process tree, filters, and modern layout.
File Finding and Searching
find→fd: Faster and simpler syntax.grep→ripgrep (rg): Recursive, faster, and smart default behavior.du→dust,dua: Visual, human-readable disk usage.
Text Processing
cut,awk,sed→xsv,q,visidata: Efficient for structured/tabular data.
Terminal Productivity
cd→zoxide: Learns navigation habits for quick jumps.history | grep→atuin: Smart, searchable, syncable shell history.man→tldr,bropages: Simple explanations and examples.
Network Tools
curl→httpie,xh: Cleaner syntax and better JSON handling.ping→gping: Graphical latency graphs for diagnostics.
Rust-Based CLI Tools
Installing Rust and Cargo
$ curl https://sh.rustup.rs -sSf | sh
$ source $HOME/.cargo/envTIP: Add $HOME/.cargo/bin to your $PATH.
Tools List
| Classic Command | Modern Alternative | Install Command |
|---|---|---|
| ls | exa | cargo install exa |
| cat | bat | cargo install bat |
| grep | ripgrep | cargo install ripgrep |
| find | fd | cargo install fd-find |
| du | dust | cargo install du-dust |
| ps | procs | cargo install procs |
| cd | zoxide | cargo install zoxide |
| man | tealdeer (tldr) | cargo install tealdeer |
| ping | gping | cargo install gping |
Optional Enhancements
- starship – Minimal, informative shell prompt in Rust.
- hyperfine – Command-line benchmarking tool.
Should You Use Rust-Based Tools?
Installing Rust tools via cargo gives access to cutting-edge utilities, but it adds an extra dependency to your system. On the other hand, tools available via apt are simpler to install and manage.
Would you install Cargo for these tools, or stick with good ol’ apt-get on your Debian system? Let us know in the comments or on social media.
Links and References
| Debian Packages | Crates.io (Rust package registry) |
| Rustup – Install Rust | exa |
| bat | ripgrep |
| fd | dust |
| procs | zoxide |
| tealdeer (tldr) | httpie |
| atuin |
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