bat Cheatsheet

Q: How do I make bat replace cat permanently?

Add `alias cat='bat --paging=never'` to your .bashrc or .zshrc. The `--paging=never` flag ensures bat works like cat in pipes. Some users prefer `alias cat='bat'` and use `--paging=always` explicitly.

Q: How do I change the color theme?

Run `bat --list-themes` to see all available themes. Set your preferred theme with `--theme=Dracula` or export `BAT_THEME=Dracula`. Popular themes: Dracula, Monokai, GitHub, OneHalfDark, Nord.

bat is a cat clone with syntax highlighting, line numbers, Git modification markers, theme support, and automatic language detection. Perfect for viewing code and config files in the terminal.

Updated: 2026-07-20·13 commands

Quick Start

bash
bat app.py                    # View with syntax highlighting
bat -n config.yaml            # Force line numbers
bat -l python Dockerfile      # Force language
bat -r 10:30 main.go          # Show line range
bat --theme Dracula file.rs   # Pick a theme
alias cat='bat --paging=never'

Startup & Modes(13)

Command	Level	Example
`bat --help` Show bat help	Basic	`bat --help`
`bat file` View file with syntax highlighting and line numbers	Basic	`bat app.py`
`bat -A` Show all characters (including non-printable)	Intermediate	`bat -A config.yaml`
`bat -n` Force line numbers (default on)	Basic	`bat -n script.sh`
`bat -p` Plain mode (no highlighting, no line numbers)	Basic	`bat -p log.txt`
`bat -l` Force language highlighting	Intermediate	`bat -l python Dockerfile`
`bat --list-languages` List all supported languages	Basic	`bat --list-languages`
`bat --theme` Specify color theme	Intermediate	`bat --theme Dracula app.py`
`bat --list-themes` List all available color themes	Basic	`bat --list-themes`
`bat -r` Show specific line range	Basic	`bat -r 10:30 main.go`
`bat -f` Show only filename and header (no content)	Intermediate	`bat -f src/*.rs`
`alias cat=bat` Use bat instead of cat	Basic	`alias cat='bat --paging=never'`
`bat --diff` Combine file content with git diff view	Expert	`bat --diff modified_file.py`

FAQ

How do I make bat replace cat permanently?

How do I change the color theme?

This cheatsheet is compiled from official tool documentation. Last updated: 2026-07-20.