Modern CLI Tools You Need in 2026: From ncdu to gdu, from ls to eza

If you’re still using ncdu, ls, cat, find, grep, top, it’s time to upgrade. The CLI tool ecosystem in 2026 is booming—numerous Rust/Go-powered modern tools are faster, prettier, and more user-friendly.

Most recommended 8 core tools: fzf, ripgrep, zoxide, eza, bat, fd-find, btop, gdu. These eight tools cover high-frequency daily development scenarios—install them and you’ll see immediate efficiency gains.

1. fzf (Fuzzy Finder, Must-Have!)

Fuzzy find anything (history, files, processes, etc.).

sudo apt install fzf
source <(fzf --zsh)

Shortcuts: Ctrl+R (history), Ctrl+T (files).

Advanced usage:

fzf --preview 'bat --style=numbers --color=always {}'
fd -e go | fzf

2. ripgrep (Code Search)

Ultra-fast code search, automatically ignores .gitignore.

sudo apt install ripgrep

Common examples:

rg "TODO"                    # Search for TODO
rg -t go "func main"         # Search only in Go files
rg -l "error"                # Show only filenames with matches
rg -C 3 "panic"              # Show 3 lines of context

3. zoxide (Smart cd)

Remembers your frequently visited directories, z proj jumps to your project directory.

sudo apt install zoxide
eval "$(zoxide init zsh)"

Common examples:

z projects                   # Jump to frequently visited projects
z proj                       # Fuzzy match works too
zi projects                  # Interactive selection with fzf

4. eza (File Listing)

Modern ls replacement with icons, Git status, colors, tree view.

sudo apt install eza
alias ls='eza --icons --git'
alias ll='eza -l --icons --git'

Common examples:

eza                          # Normal list with icons
eza -l                       # Long format
eza -la                      # Show hidden files
eza --tree                   # Tree view
eza --git                    # Show Git status

5. bat (File Viewing)

cat + syntax highlighting + Git integration + paging.

sudo apt install bat
alias cat='bat'

Common examples:

bat main.go                  # View with syntax highlighting
bat -n main.go               # Show line numbers only
bat header.md content.md     # Concatenate multiple files

6. fd-find (File Finding)

Faster, simpler, supports .gitignore.

sudo apt install fd-find

Common examples:

fd main.go                   # Find file
fd -e go                     # Find only .go files
fd -t d projects             # Find directories only
fd "test" --changed-within 7d # Files modified in last 7 days

7. btop (System Monitoring)

Prettier resource monitoring (CPU, memory, disk, network), theme support.

sudo apt install btop

Controls: Arrow keys/mouse to switch panels, k to kill process, q to quit.

8. gdu (Disk Space Analysis)

Written in Go, faster than ncdu (especially on SSD), interactive TUI, mouse support, prettier colors, can delete files directly.

sudo apt install gdu
gdu /home/asus

Controls: ↑↓ to move, Enter to enter directory, ← to go back, d to delete, q to quit.

The Ultimate Combo: fzf + fd + rg + bat

These four tools together are unstoppable: fuzzy finding + fast search + beautiful preview.

# Use fzf to fuzzy search files, then preview with bat
fzf --preview 'bat --style=numbers --color=always {}'

One-Click Install Recommendation

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y gdu eza bat fd-find ripgrep fzf zoxide btop

Then add to your ~/.zshrc:

# fzf
source <(fzf --zsh)

# zoxide
eval "$(zoxide init zsh)"

# Alias examples
alias ls='eza --icons --git'
alias ll='eza -l --icons --git'
alias cat='bat'

After installing these 8 tools, your terminal will be noticeably more modern and efficient!