delta Cheatsheet

Q: How do I set delta as my default git pager?

Run `git config --global core.pager delta`. For colored interactive diff, also run `git config --global interactive.diffFilter 'delta --color-only'`. This ensures delta is used for all git diff, show, and log -p commands.

Q: What's the difference between delta and diff-so-fancy?

Delta is a standalone Rust binary that is significantly faster than diff-so-fancy (which is a shell script wrapping git diff). Delta also offers side-by-side mode, built-in syntax highlighting (200+ themes), and richer configuration. Use `delta --diff-so-fancy` to approximate diff-so-fancy's style.

Q: How do I customize delta's appearance?

Use `delta --side-by-side` for split view, `delta --line-numbers` for line numbers, and `delta --syntax-theme NAME` for the color theme. List themes with `--list-syntax-themes`. Set defaults via gitconfig: `git config --global delta.options '--side-by-side --line-numbers'`.

delta is a lightning-fast Rust-based syntax-highlighting pager for git and diff output. Supports side-by-side view, line numbers, 200+ syntax themes, diff-so-fancy compatibility, and can be set as the default git pager.

Updated: 2026-07-20·28 commands

Quick Start

bash
git config --global core.pager delta              # Set as git pager
git diff | delta                                  # View git diff
delta --side-by-side                              # Side-by-side mode
delta --line-numbers                              # Show line numbers
delta --syntax-theme Dracula                      # Pick a theme

Basic Usage(6)

Command	Level	Example
`delta --help` Show delta help	Basic	`delta --help`
`delta FILE` View file diff (default output)	Basic	`delta file.diff`
`diff -u file1 file2 \| delta` Diff two files and view with delta	Basic	`diff -u old.py new.py \| delta`
`git diff \| delta` View git diff through delta	Basic	`git diff \| delta`
`git show \| delta` View git commit details through delta	Basic	`git show HEAD \| delta`
`git log -p \| delta` View git commit history diffs through delta	Basic	`git log -p --oneline \| delta`

Configuration(6)

Command	Level	Example
`git config --global core.pager delta` Set git global pager to delta	Basic	`git config --global core.pager delta`
`git config --global interactive.diffFilter 'delta --color-only'` Enable delta coloring for git interactive operations	Intermediate	`git config --global interactive.diffFilter 'delta --color-only'`
`git config --global delta.options '--side-by-side --line-numbers'` Configure delta default options (side-by-side + line numbers)	Intermediate	`git config --global delta.options '--side-by-side --line-numbers'`
`export DELTA_FEATURES=+side-by-side` Enable delta features via environment variable	Intermediate	`export DELTA_FEATURES='+side-by-side'`
`delta --diff-so-fancy` Emulate diff-so-fancy style output	Intermediate	`git diff \| delta --diff-so-fancy`
`cat ~/.gitconfig` View delta configuration in gitconfig	Basic	`cat ~/.gitconfig`

Style & Themes(8)

Command	Level	Example
`delta --side-by-side` Enable side-by-side diff view	Basic	`git diff \| delta --side-by-side`
`delta --line-numbers` Show line numbers in diffs	Basic	`git diff \| delta --line-numbers`
`delta --syntax-theme THEME` Specify syntax highlighting theme	Intermediate	`git diff \| delta --syntax-theme Dracula`
`delta --list-syntax-themes` List all available syntax themes	Basic	`delta --list-syntax-themes`
`delta --dark` Dark theme mode	Basic	`delta --dark`
`delta --light` Light theme mode	Basic	`delta --light`
`delta --width VARIABLE` Set side-by-side panel width (default variable)	Intermediate	`git diff \| delta --width 120`
`delta --hunk-header-style 'file line-number'` Customize hunk header style	Expert	`delta --hunk-header-style 'file line-number'`

Advanced(8)

Command	Level	Example
`delta --features FEATURES` Enable delta feature set (comma-separated)	Intermediate	`git diff \| delta --features 'side-by-side,line-numbers'`
`git grep -p pattern \| delta` View git grep output through delta	Intermediate	`git grep -p 'function' \| delta`
`git blame file \| delta` View git blame through delta (with highlighting)	Intermediate	`git blame app.py \| delta`
`delta --navigate` Enable diff navigation (skip to next/previous hunk)	Expert	`git diff \| delta --navigate`
`delta --diff-highlight` Enable enhanced diff highlighting	Intermediate	`git diff \| delta --diff-highlight`
`delta --keep-plus-minus-markers` Keep +/- line markers	Intermediate	`git diff \| delta --keep-plus-minus-markers`
`delta --hyperlinks` Enable clickable file links in terminal	Expert	`git diff \| delta --hyperlinks`
`delta --config CONFIG_FILE` Use custom config file	Expert	`delta --config ~/.deltarc`

FAQ

How do I set delta as my default git pager?

What's the difference between delta and diff-so-fancy?

How do I customize delta's appearance?

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