View files with the less pager
Scroll, search, and even tail logs inside big text files without loading them into an editor.
01Command
$ less +F /var/log/syslog02What it does
less opens instantly no matter how big the file is because it reads only the visible part. Key moves: /word searches forward, n finds the next match, g/G jump to top/bottom, -N toggles line numbers. less +F follows a growing log like tail -f, and Ctrl+C stops following so you can scroll and search.
03Risk
04Undo
✓No undo needed — this command does not change persistent state.
05Sources
- less(1) — Linux manual pageEvidence: less pages through a file with scroll, search (/), and navigation; +F follows appended data and -N shows line numbers.
Last verified: 2026-09-18 · Category: Files & Folders
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