How to Install exa on Ubuntu 20.04/22.04- ls command alternative

exa is a modern command-line file listing tool designed as a more readable and feature-rich alternative to the traditional ls command. It supports colorized output, Git status integration, tree views, file icons in compatible terminals, and clearer formatting for permissions, ownership, sizes, and timestamps.

On Ubuntu 20.04 and 22.04, exa can be installed quickly using available package sources or alternative methods depending on your system and preferences. Once installed, it can be used directly or configured through shell aliases so familiar commands like ls, ll, and la produce enhanced exa output.

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This guide walks through installing exa on Ubuntu, checking that it works correctly, trying practical command examples, setting up useful aliases, and removing it cleanly if you no longer need it.

What Is exa and Why Use It Instead of ls

exa is a modern command-line file listing tool designed as a more readable replacement for the traditional ls command. It shows files and directories in a cleaner format, supports color output by default, and can display extra information such as Git status, file icons, extended metadata, and directory trees. On Ubuntu 20.04 and 22.04, it is especially useful for users who spend time in the terminal and want file listings that are easier to scan.

The standard ls command is reliable and available on nearly every Unix-like system, but its output can feel limited without extra flags or custom color configuration. exa keeps the familiar idea of listing directory contents while adding practical improvements. For example, it can show file permissions, ownership, sizes, and modification dates in a more structured layout. It can also display directories before files, show human-readable file sizes, and use colors to distinguish file types more clearly.

Common advantages of exa

• Better default formatting: exa uses color and spacing to make output easier to read than plain ls.
• Git integration: when used inside a Git repository, exa can show whether files are modified, staged, ignored, or untracked.
• Tree view support: exa can display nested directories in a tree-style layout without needing a separate command like tree.
• Readable metadata: long listings can include permissions, file sizes, timestamps, users, groups, and inode information in a clean format.
• Familiar command style: many options are similar to ls, making it easy to start using without learning a completely new workflow.

For day-to-day terminal work, exa is most useful when checking project folders, browsing configuration directories, or reviewing file changes in source code repositories. A command such as exa -la provides a detailed listing including hidden files, while exa --tree gives a quick overview of a directory structure. Developers often use exa -l --git to combine a long listing with version control status in the same output.

exa does not remove or replace ls at the system level unless you explicitly create an alias. This means you can install it safely and continue using ls whenever needed. Many users keep both commands available: ls for maximum portability and exa for a more comfortable interactive shell experience on their own Ubuntu machine.

Prerequisites for Installing exa on Ubuntu

Before installing exa on Ubuntu 20.04 or 22.04, make sure you have a supported Ubuntu system, access to a terminal, and permission to install packages. exa is a command-line utility, so all installation and verification steps are performed from the shell. The instructions work on local desktops, servers, virtual machines, and cloud instances running Ubuntu.

You should also have a user account with sudo privileges. Most package installation methods require administrative access because they add software to system directories such as /usr/bin or install dependencies through Ubuntu’s package manager. You can confirm that your account can use sudo by running a harmless command such as:

sudo whoami

If the command returns root, your user has the required privileges. If you receive a permissions error, switch to an administrative account or ask the system administrator to grant sudo access before continuing.

Check Your Ubuntu Version

Since this guide targets Ubuntu 20.04 and Ubuntu 22.04, confirm the release version on your machine first. Use the following command:

lsb_release -a

You can also read the operating system release file directly:

cat /etc/os-release

Look for values such as Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 20.04.6 LTS, Ubuntu 22.04, or Ubuntu 22.04.5 LTS. If you are using a different Ubuntu version, exa may still install successfully, but package availability and command names can vary.

Update the Package Index

Before installing any package from Ubuntu repositories, refresh the local package index. This helps your system find the latest available package metadata and reduces the chance of install errors caused by stale repository information.

sudo apt update

If updates are available, you do not always need to upgrade the entire system before installing exa, but keeping core packages current is recommended on long-running servers and desktops. To apply available package upgrades, run:

sudo apt upgrade

Install Common Supporting Tools

Depending on the installation method you choose, you may need basic utilities such as curl, wget, or gpg. These tools are often already present, but minimal Ubuntu server images may not include all of them. Install the common helpers with:

sudo apt install curl wget gpg ca-certificates

The ca-certificates package is useful when downloading files over HTTPS, while curl and wget allow you to retrieve packages or release files if you use a manual installation method.

Optional: Check Whether exa Is Already Installed

If you are working on an existing system, exa may already be installed. Check with:

exa --version

If exa is installed, the command prints the version number. If you see command not found, continue with one of the installation methods in the next section.

• Operating system: Ubuntu 20.04 LTS or Ubuntu 22.04 LTS
• Access: Terminal session on a desktop, server, VM, or cloud instance
• Privileges: User account with sudo rights
• Network: Internet connection for downloading packages
• Recommended preparation: Updated APT package index

Install exa on Ubuntu 20.04 or 22.04

Ubuntu 20.04 and Ubuntu 22.04 can install exa in more than one way. The easiest method is to use the Ubuntu APT repositories, which keeps installation simple and integrates cleanly with system package management. If your repository does not provide exa, or if you need a newer build, you can install it from a downloaded Debian package instead.

Method 1: Install exa with APT

Start by refreshing your package index so Ubuntu checks the latest available package metadata from the configured repositories:

sudo apt update

Then install exa with the following command:

sudo apt install exa

When prompted, press Y and then Enter to confirm the installation. This method is recommended when the package is available because removal and upgrades can be handled later with standard apt commands.

Method 2: Install exa from a Debian package

If APT cannot locate the package on your Ubuntu system, download a compatible .deb package from the official exa release page or another trusted package source. For example, move into your downloads directory first:

cd ~/Downloads

After downloading the package, install it with apt so dependencies can be resolved automatically. Replace the file name below with the actual package name you downloaded:

sudo apt install ./exa_*.deb

If you already know the exact file name, use it directly, for example:

sudo apt install ./exa_0.10.1_amd64.deb

This approach is useful on systems where the repository package is missing or outdated. However, packages installed manually from a .deb file may not receive updates through Ubuntu repositories unless the package source also adds its own update channel.

Method 3: Install exa with Cargo

Because exa is written in Rust, you can also build and install it with Cargo. This method is suitable for users who already use the Rust toolchain or want a user-local installation. First, install Cargo if it is not already present:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install cargo

Then install exa with:

cargo install exa

Cargo places the binary in ~/.cargo/bin. If the exa command is not found after installation, add that directory to your shell path:

echo 'export PATH="$HOME/.cargo/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc

For most Ubuntu 20.04 and 22.04 users, the APT method is the cleanest choice. Use the Debian package method when apt install exa is unavailable, and use Cargo when you prefer a Rust-based user installation.

Verify the exa Installation

After installing exa, confirm that your shell can find and run the command. The quickest check is to print the installed version:

exa --version

If the installation was successful, Ubuntu should return version information for exa. The exact output depends on the package source you used, but it commonly includes the program name, version number, and build details. If you installed from the Ubuntu repository with apt, the version may be older than one installed from a downloaded .deb package or another upstream source.

Check the exa binary location

You can also verify where Ubuntu is loading exa from by using the which or command -v command:

which exa

or:

command -v exa

A normal result is usually something like /usr/bin/exa or /usr/local/bin/exa. If the command prints a path, your shell can locate exa. If it prints nothing, the binary is not in your current PATH, the package did not install correctly, or your terminal session needs to be refreshed.

Run a basic directory listing

Next, test exa in a real directory. From your current location, run:

exa

This should display the files and folders in the current directory, similar to ls, but with improved default formatting and color support when available. To compare it directly with the traditional command, run:

ls

exa should show the same directory contents, though the formatting may differ. For a more useful check, try a long listing:

exa -l

This displays file permissions, ownership, size, modification time, and names in a structured format. If icons or colors do not appear, that does not necessarily mean the installation failed. Color output depends on terminal support and environment settings, while icons require a compatible font and options such as --icons in versions that support it.

Troubleshoot common verification issues

• exa: command not found: Close and reopen the terminal, then try again. If it still fails, confirm the package is installed with dpkg -l | grep exa. If no package appears, reinstall exa.
• No output from which exa: The executable is not in your shell path. If you installed it manually, check the directory where you placed the binary and move it to a directory such as /usr/local/bin.
• Permission denied: If you installed a standalone binary, make sure it is executable by running chmod +x /path/to/exa, replacing the path with the actual file location.
• Unexpected old version: Ubuntu may be using the repository version instead of a newer manually installed version. Check the path with command -v exa and inspect duplicate binaries with whereis exa.

Once exa --version works and a test listing such as exa -l returns directory contents, the installation is ready. You can now start using exa as a modern replacement for common ls workflows.

Basic exa Command Examples

After confirming that exa is installed, you can start using it much like the traditional ls command. The main difference is that exa adds colored output, clearer file metadata, Git awareness, and more readable layouts by default. The examples below work on both Ubuntu 20.04 and Ubuntu 22.04, whether you installed exa from APT or another supported method.

List files in the current directory

Run exa without options to display the contents of the current directory:

exa

This gives you a clean, colorized listing. Directories, regular files, symbolic links, and executable files are easier to distinguish compared with plain ls output.

Show a detailed file listing

To display permissions, file sizes, owners, groups, and modification times, use the long listing option:

exa -l

This is similar to ls -l, but the output is generally easier to scan. File sizes are shown in a readable format, and the columns are neatly aligned.

Show hidden files

Like ls, exa hides dotfiles by default. To include hidden files and directories, add the -a option:

exa -a

You can combine this with long listing mode to see detailed information for all files, including configuration files such as .bashrc, .profile, and .ssh:

exa -la

Display files in a tree view

One of exa’s most useful features is its built-in tree output. Instead of installing and running a separate tree command, you can use:

exa --tree

For large directories, limit how deep exa should descend with the --level option:

exa --tree --level=2

This is helpful when inspecting project folders, home directories, or configuration paths without flooding the terminal with too much output.

Show Git status information

When you are inside a Git repository, exa can show file status directly in the listing. Use:

exa -l --git

This adds Git status markers beside files, making it easier to see which files are modified, staged, ignored, or untracked. It is especially useful in development directories where you frequently check project changes.

Sort files by size, time, or extension

exa supports several sorting modes. To sort by file size, run:

exa -l --sort=size

To sort by modified time, use:

exa -l --sort=modified

To group similar file types together by extension, run:

exa -l --sort=extension

These options are useful when cleaning large directories, finding recently edited files, or reviewing downloads.

Use common exa option combinations

Command	Description
exa	List files in the current directory with colorized output.
exa -l	Show a detailed long listing.
exa -la	Show all files, including hidden files, with details.
exa --tree --level=2	Display a directory tree limited to two levels.
exa -l --git	Show detailed output with Git status information.

You can also target a specific directory by adding its path at the end of the command. For example, exa -la /etc lists the contents of /etc with hidden entries and detailed metadata, while exa --tree ~/Documents --level=3 displays a three-level tree view of your Documents directory.

Create Useful ls Aliases with exa

After testing exa directly, you can make it more convenient by creating shell aliases that replace common ls habits. Aliases let you type short commands such as ll or la while running exa with your preferred options automatically. This is especially useful if you want icons, Git status, a tree view, or a cleaner long listing without typing the full command each time.

For Bash, which is the default shell on most Ubuntu 20.04 and 22.04 installations, open your ~/.bashrc file in a text editor:

nano ~/.bashrc

Add the following aliases near the bottom of the file:

• alias ls='exa' — use exa whenever you type ls.
• alias ll='exa -lh --git' — show a long listing with human-readable sizes and Git status.
• alias la='exa -lah --git' — include hidden files in the long listing.
• alias lt='exa --tree --level=2' — display a two-level directory tree.
• alias lta='exa --tree --level=2 -a' — show a tree view including hidden files.

Save the file, then reload your Bash configuration so the aliases become available in the current terminal session:

source ~/.bashrc

If you use Zsh instead of Bash, add the same aliases to ~/.zshrc and reload the configuration with source ~/.zshrc. You can check your current shell with echo $SHELL. On Ubuntu, Bash users usually see /bin/bash, while Zsh users usually see /usr/bin/zsh or /bin/zsh.

Recommended exa aliases

Alias	Command	Use case
ls	exa	Basic replacement for the standard directory listing.
ll	exa -lh --git	Detailed listing with readable file sizes and Git information.
la	exa -lah --git	Detailed listing that also includes hidden files.
lt	exa --tree --level=2	Compact directory tree for browsing project structure.
lx	exa -l --sort=extension	Sort files by extension, useful in mixed directories.

If your terminal font supports icons and your installed exa build includes icon support, you can add --icons to the aliases. For example, use alias ll='exa -lh --git --icons'. If icons appear as empty boxes or strange symbols, install a Nerd Font or remove the --icons option from the alias.

To confirm that an alias is active, run alias ll or type ll. If you need the original GNU ls command temporarily after aliasing ls to exa, run it with a leading backslash: \ls. To remove an alias, delete its line from ~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc, then reload the file or open a new terminal window.

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Uninstall exa from Ubuntu

If you no longer need exa, or you want to replace it with another directory listing tool, you can remove it from Ubuntu safely. The correct uninstall command depends on how you installed exa earlier: from the Ubuntu APT repository, from a manually downloaded .deb package, with Cargo, or by copying the binary into a system path such as /usr/local/bin.

Remove exa installed with APT

If exa was installed with apt, remove it using the package manager. This is the cleanest method because Ubuntu tracks the installed files automatically.

sudo apt remove exa

To remove the package and also delete related system configuration files managed by APT, use purge instead:

sudo apt purge exa

After removing the package, you can clean up unused dependencies with:

sudo apt autoremove

Remove exa installed from a DEB package

If you installed exa by downloading a .deb file and installing it with apt install ./package.deb or dpkg -i, it is still usually registered as a Debian package. First, check whether Ubuntu knows about it:

dpkg -l | grep exa

If the package appears in the output, remove it with:

sudo apt remove exa

If the package name is different, use the exact name shown by dpkg -l. For example:

sudo apt remove package-name

Remove exa installed with Cargo

If you installed exa using Rust’s Cargo package manager, APT will not manage it. In that case, uninstall it with:

cargo uninstall exa

If the command is not found, Cargo may not be in your current shell path, or exa may have been installed manually instead. You can check where the active exa binary is located with:

which exa

Cargo-installed binaries are commonly stored in ~/.cargo/bin. If which exa points there and cargo uninstall exa does not work, you can remove the binary directly:

rm -f ~/.cargo/bin/exa

Remove a manually installed exa binary

If you copied the exa executable manually into a directory such as /usr/local/bin, find it first:

which exa

Then remove the file shown in the output. For example, if the binary is located at /usr/local/bin/exa, run:

sudo rm -f /usr/local/bin/exa

You can confirm that exa is no longer available by running:

exa --version

If the shell returns a “command not found” message, exa has been removed from your active command path.

Remove exa aliases from your shell

If you created aliases such as alias ls='exa', remove them from your shell configuration file as well. Common files include ~/.bashrc, ~/.zshrc, and ~/.profile. Open the relevant file and delete any exa-related alias lines, for example:

alias ls='exa'

alias ll='exa -lah'

alias tree='exa --tree'

After editing the file, reload your shell configuration. For Bash, use:

source ~/.bashrc

For Zsh, use:

source ~/.zshrc

Finally, test the standard ls command again:

ls

If your aliases were removed correctly, ls will use the default GNU coreutils version included with Ubuntu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is exa available in the default Ubuntu 20.04 and 22.04 repositories?

exa may be available from the default Ubuntu repositories depending on your package sources, but the version can be older. You can try installing it with sudo apt install exa. If the package is not found or you want a newer release, install it from an alternative source such as a downloaded release binary or a Rust/Cargo installation.

What is the difference between exa and the normal ls command?

exa displays directory listings like ls, but adds modern defaults such as colors, Git status indicators, icons in some configurations, tree view, and clearer file metadata. It is especially useful for developers who want to see permissions, file types, sizes, and Git changes more easily. The standard ls command is still installed and can be used anytime.

Can I replace ls with exa permanently on Ubuntu?

You can make exa behave like your default listing command by adding aliases to your shell configuration file, such as alias ls='exa' in ~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc. After saving the file, reload it with source ~/.bashrc or open a new terminal. This does not remove the original ls command; it only changes what runs when you type ls.

What should I do if the exa command is not found after installation?

First, check whether exa installed successfully with which exa or exa --version. If you installed it manually, make sure the binary is in a directory included in your PATH, such as /usr/local/bin or ~/.cargo/bin. If you installed it with Cargo, restart your terminal or add export PATH="$HOME/.cargo/bin:$PATH" to your shell configuration file.

How do I uninstall exa from Ubuntu?

If you installed exa with APT, remove it using sudo apt remove exa. If you installed it with Cargo, run cargo uninstall exa. For a manually installed binary, delete the exa file from the location where you copied it, then remove any related aliases from your shell configuration file.

Bottom Line

exa is a practical upgrade for anyone who wants a more readable, feature-rich alternative to the traditional ls command on Ubuntu 20.04 or 22.04. After installing it through your preferred method, you can start with simple commands like exa, exa -la, and exa --tree, then add aliases to make it part of your daily terminal workflow.

If you run into issues, verify the installation path, check your shell configuration, or reinstall the package using the method that best matches your system. Once you are comfortable with exa, consider making it your default listing command by adding a few aliases to your .bashrc or .zshrc file.

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