Freedom251 › File Comparison Software
cwdiff

What cwdiff is
cwdiff is a command-line wrapper for wdiff that compares directories and displays differences in color. It is listed for Linux command-line use and is free, with a listed plan price of $0. The README describes configuring cwdiff as a Mercurial extdiff command, then invoking it with hg wdiff. To suppress colored output, users can add --no-color to the wdiff options. The project is a shell-language repository, and downloads are listed as a tarball and packages for MacPorts, Arch Linux AUR, NetBSD, and Gentoo. A NetBSD package page provides a NetBSD 10.0 binary package for version 0.4.0 and reports no runtime dependencies. The README links to documentation hosted on junghans.github.io, and the repository directs bug reports to GitHub Issues. Its associated maintainer account identifies Christoph Junghans, whose profile lists Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA. The NetBSD package page lists GNU GPL version 2 as the license.
Who it suits
cwdiff suits Linux command-line users who want colorized directory comparisons with wdiff or a Mercurial extdiff workflow. It may also suit users obtaining software through one of the listed package sources.
What it does well
- Compares directories through a wdiff wrapper.
- Colorizes output, with an option to disable colors.
- Can be configured as a Mercurial extdiff command.
- Downloads include several package sources.
- NetBSD package lists no runtime dependencies.
What to know first
- Listed supported platform is Linux command line.
- NetBSD package page lists version 0.4.0.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| cwdiff | No paid plans or usage limits stated | Free |
As github.com lists them, read 4 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open https://github.com/junghans/cwdiff.
- Choose an available route: tarball, MacPorts, Arch Linux AUR, NetBSD, or Gentoo package.
- Install cwdiff for command-line use.
- For Mercurial use, configure cwdiff as an extdiff command and run hg wdiff.
- Add --no-color to the wdiff options to disable color.
Verdict
cwdiff adds directory support and color to wdiff, with a documented Mercurial workflow and several listed download routes. Its stated platform is the Linux command line, and the NetBSD package page identifies version 0.4.0.
Questions
How much does cwdiff cost?
The listed cwdiff plan costs nothing. No paid plans or usage limits are stated.
What platform is listed?
The supported platform is Linux command line.
Can it be used with Mercurial?
Yes. The README describes configuring cwdiff as a Mercurial extdiff command and running it with hg wdiff.
Can color output be disabled?
Yes. Add --no-color to the wdiff options.
What license is listed?
The NetBSD package page lists GNU GPL version 2.
Where can users report bugs?
The repository directs users to GitHub Issues.
Facts from cwdiff's own pages
- Color option
- The README says to add --no-color to the wdiff options to disable colors. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Documentation
- The README links to project documentation hosted on junghans.github.io. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The README lists a tarball, MacPorts, Arch Linux AUR, NetBSD, and Gentoo packages. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- License
- The NetBSD package page lists the license as GNU GPL version 2. · ftp7.jp.netbsd.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Maintainer
- The GitHub account associated with the repository identifies its owner as Christoph Junghans. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Maintainer location
- The maintainer profile lists Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Mercurial setup
- The README describes configuring cwdiff as a Mercurial extdiff command and running it with hg wdiff. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Operating system package
- The NetBSD package page provides a NetBSD 10.0 binary package for cwdiff 0.4.0. · ftp7.jp.netbsd.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Project type
- GitHub describes the project as a shell-language repository. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- cwdiff is a wrapper for wdiff that supports directories and colorizes output. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Runtime dependencies
- The NetBSD package page lists no runtime dependencies. · ftp7.jp.netbsd.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The repository directs users to GitHub Issues to report bugs. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Where cwdiff stands on Freedom251
- File Comparison Software#6 of 33