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ibraheemdev/modern-unix

32,918unknownAudience · developerComplexity · 1/5StaleLicenseSetup · easy

TLDR

A curated list of modern command-line tools that replace classic Unix commands with faster, friendlier alternatives like bat, eza, and ripgrep.

Mindmap

mindmap
  root((repo))
    What it does
      Curated tool list
      Unix replacements
      No code included
    Tool categories
      File management
      System monitoring
      Search and find
      Diff and git
    Key features
      Syntax highlighting
      Faster performance
      Better formatting
      Git integration
    Use cases
      Modernize terminal
      Improve workflow
      Drop-in compatible
    Audience
      Developers
      Sysadmins
      Power users

Things people build with this

USE CASE 1

Replace ls with eza to get colored output and tree views in your file listings.

USE CASE 2

Use ripgrep instead of grep to search files faster while respecting .gitignore rules.

USE CASE 3

Install bat as a cat replacement to get syntax highlighting and Git integration in file previews.

USE CASE 4

Set up fzf for fuzzy command-line search to quickly find files, history, or processes.

Tech stack

RustShellGoPython

Getting it running

Difficulty · easy Time to first run · 5min
Use freely for any purpose, including commercial use, as long as you keep the copyright notice.

In plain English

Modern Unix is a curated collection of newer, improved command-line tools that serve as alternatives to classic Unix commands. The project is essentially a reference list, a single README, that compiles community-recommended replacements for everyday shell tools like ls, cat, grep, find, and top, among others. It does not ship any code of its own; instead it links to each tool's repository or homepage with a brief description of what makes it better than the original. The tools highlighted include bat (a cat replacement with syntax highlighting and Git integration), eza (a modern ls with color and tree views), fd (a faster and friendlier find), ripgrep (a faster grep that respects .gitignore), fzf (a fuzzy finder for the command line), bottom and glances (richer system monitors), delta (a nicer diff viewer for Git), and many more across categories like file management, system monitoring, and network inspection. How to use it: browse the README, pick the tools that match your workflow, and install them individually through your package manager. Most are available via Homebrew on macOS, apt or pacman on Linux, and sometimes via cargo or npm. This list is most useful for developers, sysadmins, and power users who spend significant time in a terminal and want a more pleasant, information-rich experience without abandoning traditional Unix conventions. The tools listed are generally drop-in compatible, they accept similar arguments and produce similar output, but with added features like color, faster performance, and cleaner formatting. There is no complex setup, no build step, and no single install command. It is simply a well-maintained starting point for modernizing a terminal environment.

Copy-paste prompts

Prompt 1
I want to modernize my terminal. Which tools from this list should I install first for file browsing and searching?
Prompt 2
Show me how to replace my current grep and find commands with ripgrep and fd from this modern Unix list.
Prompt 3
I spend a lot of time in the terminal. Which tools from this curated list would give me the biggest productivity boost?
Prompt 4
Help me set up bat, eza, and fzf from this modern Unix tools list on my macOS machine using Homebrew.
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Generated 2026-05-18 · Model: sonnet-4-6 · Verify against the repo before relying on details.