bat-cat

---
name: bat-cat
description: A cat clone with syntax highlighting, line numbers, and Git integration - a modern replacement for cat.
homepage: https://github.com/sharkdp/bat
metadata: {"clawdbot":{"emoji":"🦇","requires":{"bins":["bat"]},"install":[{"id":"brew","kind":"brew","formula":"bat","bins":["bat"],"label":"Install bat (brew)"},{"id":"apt","kind":"apt","package":"bat","bins":["bat"],"label":"Install bat (apt)"}]}}
---

# bat - Better cat

`cat` with syntax highlighting, line numbers, and Git integration.

## Quick Start

### Basic usage
```bash
# View file with syntax highlighting
bat README.md

# Multiple files
bat file1.js file2.py

# With line numbers (default)
bat script.sh

# Without line numbers
bat -p script.sh
```

### Viewing modes
```bash
# Plain mode (like cat)
bat -p file.txt

# Show non-printable characters
bat -A file.txt

# Squeeze blank lines
bat -s file.txt

# Paging (auto for large files)
bat --paging=always file.txt
bat --paging=never file.txt
```

## Syntax Highlighting

### Language detection
```bash
# Auto-detect from extension
bat script.py

# Force specific language
bat -l javascript config.txt

# Show all languages
bat --list-languages
```

### Themes
```bash
# List available themes
bat --list-themes

# Use specific theme
bat --theme="Monokai Extended" file.py

# Set default theme in config
# ~/.config/bat/config: --theme="Dracula"
```

## Line Ranges

```bash
# Show specific lines
bat -r 10:20 file.txt

# From line to end
bat -r 100: file.txt

# Start to specific line
bat -r :50 file.txt

# Multiple ranges
bat -r 1:10 -r 50:60 file.txt
```

## Git Integration

```bash
# Show Git modifications (added/removed/modified lines)
bat --diff file.txt

# Show decorations (Git + file header)
bat --decorations=always file.txt
```

## Output Control

```bash
# Output raw (no styling)
bat --style=plain file.txt

# Customize style
bat --style=numbers,changes file.txt

# Available styles: auto, full, plain, changes, header, grid, numbers, snip
ba