Quickly Visualize Linux Directory Trees with a Custom tf Bash Script

The article presents a Bash script named tf that displays the file hierarchy of a specified path (or the current directory) using the tree command and optionally filters the result by a keyword.

Script

#!/usr/bin/env bash

# This command shows the file structure of a given or current path, with optional search
# tf            – show current directory structure
# tf keyword    – search current directory
# tf dir keyword – search specified directory

# The script depends on the <strong>tree</strong> command

DIR=
KEYWORD=

# If only one argument is given, treat it as a keyword
if [ $# -eq 1 ]; then
  KEYWORD=$1
fi

# If two arguments are given, treat them as directory and keyword
if [ $# -eq 2 ]; then
  DIR=$1
  KEYWORD=$2
fi

if [ -n "$DIR" ]; then
  cd "$DIR" || exit 1
fi

pwd

tree -C -f | grep "$KEYWORD"

Usage Examples

Show the current directory tree:

tf

Search the current directory for a keyword (e.g., lib): tf lib Search a specific path for a keyword (e.g., /usr/local/ lib):

tf /usr/local/ lib

Color Meaning in Tree Output

Blue – directories

Green – executable files

Red – compressed files

Light blue – symbolic links

Gray – other file types

Flashing red – broken symbolic links

Yellow – device files

White – regular files such as text, configuration, source code, etc.

The script provides a quick way to explore and search directory structures directly from the command line, making it useful for system administrators and developers who need to locate files efficiently.