Quick outline
- My setup and why I care
- The fastest way: Files app (Nautilus)
- The nerdy way: Terminal tricks that save time
- A small detour: File pickers in apps
- How to hide and unhide files
- Little gotchas I learned the hard way
- Who should use what
- Final take
My setup, my mess
I use Ubuntu on my main laptop. I started on 22.04, and I’m on 24.04 now. I build little Python apps, write docs, and break things by accident. You know what? Hidden files saved me more than once. They also confused me at first.
On Linux, files that start with a dot are hidden. They’re “dotfiles.” Think .bashrc, .gitconfig, .config, .cache. They’re not scary. They’re just tidy. If you want the official word, Ubuntu keeps a concise page on hiding and unhiding files.
If you’re hungry for even more nitty-gritty Linux insights, check out the community articles over at Freedom Penguin.
One of my favorite walk-throughs is this guide on showing hidden files on Ubuntu which pairs nicely with the tips below.
The fastest way: Files app (Nautilus)
I live in the Files app a lot. It’s called “Files,” but folks also say “Nautilus.” Same thing.
- Press Ctrl + H. Boom—hidden stuff shows up.
- Press Ctrl + H again to hide them.
Real example: I’m in my Home folder. I hit Ctrl + H and see this jump out:
- .bashrc
- .profile
- .ssh
- .config
- .cache
- .local
- .mozilla
I needed my SSH key one morning. It was in .ssh/id_rsa. I forgot where it was. Ctrl + H saved me from a mini panic.
There’s also a menu toggle. Click the three lines (top right), then check “Show Hidden Files.” It sticks for that window. It’s quick. It’s clean. No drama.
Pros
- It’s one key press.
- Easy to explain to a new user.
- Looks neat, even with many dotfiles.
Cons
- It can get busy if you show all files in Home.
- It hides again in new windows sometimes, so I tap Ctrl + H a lot.
Speaking of keeping the desktop tidy, I’ve also been tinkering with Docky for Linux, a classic dock that streamlines launching Nautilus and other apps alongside your hidden-file workflow.
The nerdy way: Terminal tricks that save time
Sometimes I don’t want the mouse. I just want a list and to move on. Here’s what I use most.
Show all files, including hidden:
ls -a
A sample from my Home:
. .. .bash_history .bashrc .cache .config .gitconfig .local Documents Downloads
Show with details (I like this for size and dates):
ls -la
Skip the “.” and “..” entries:
ls -A
List only hidden items in the current folder:
ls -d .*
Find hidden files in Home (just top level):
find ~ -maxdepth 1 -name ".*"
Peek in a common config folder:
ls -la ~/.config
Real example from last week: my VS Code settings were acting weird. I ran:
cat ~/.config/Code/User/settings.json
I found a typo. Fixed it fast.
Pros
- Very fast.
- Easy to copy into notes or a bug report.
- Works over SSH.
Cons
- Syntax slips are easy.
- Spaces in file names can annoy you. Use quotes.
And if you live in the terminal as much as I do, you might also appreciate this hands-on look at mtr on Linux for real-time network diagnostics.
For a deeper dive that spans multiple distros, this comprehensive guide to viewing hidden files and folders on Linux covers both GUI and terminal approaches and is worth bookmarking.
A small detour: File pickers in apps
This one gets folks. In the “Open File” window from many apps, hidden stuff is hidden too. Press Ctrl + H there as well. It works the same way. I use it when I pick a .env file for a project.
Also, in VS Code, hidden files may be filtered by settings. If a folder is hidden because of “files.exclude,” you can still open it with the file dialog, or tweak the setting.
How to hide and unhide files
On Linux, hiding is simple. Add a dot at the start of the name.
Hide a file:
mv notes.txt .notes.txt
Unhide a file:
mv .notes.txt notes.txt
One time I had a folder called “work-junk.” I didn’t want it staring at me all day. I did:
mv work-junk .work-junk
Out of sight. Still there.
Little gotchas I learned the hard way
- Don’t edit .bashrc without a backup. I do this now:
cp ~/.bashrc ~/.bashrc.bak - Some apps stash huge caches in ~/.cache. If you clean it, close apps first.
- Snap and Flatpak make hidden folders too. You’ll see things like ~/.var or snap folders. Don’t worry; they’re normal.
- Permissions matter. If you can’t open .ssh, check:
chmod 700 ~/.ssh chmod 600 ~/.ssh/id_rsa - “Hidden” isn’t “secure.” It’s just not shown. If it’s sensitive, use real security.
If you’re tucking away something more personal than a config file—say photos and chats from a spontaneous night out in Rennes—you’ll want to both hide the folder and, ideally, encrypt it as well. The city’s lively dating scene even has its own primer at Plan Cul Rennes where open-minded adults can arrange discreet meet-ups, so storing any related screenshots or messages inside a well-protected dot-folder can spare you some awkward moments down the road.
Similarly, if your travels land you in Louisiana and you’re coordinating a last-minute rendezvous in Kenner, it pays to keep those DMs and meetup details under digital wraps. The local listings on Backpage Kenner showcase real-time personal ads and event spots, giving you a quick way to scope out potential connections before you head out while also reminding you which conversations belong in an encrypted, hidden directory rather than your main Documents folder.
Who should use what
- New to Ubuntu? Use Files and press Ctrl + H. It’s friendly.
- Power user or remote work? Use ls -A and find. It’s fast and clear.
- Mixed workflow? Use both. That’s me most days.
Final take
Showing hidden files on Ubuntu feels smooth now. Ctrl + H in Files is my quick toggle. ls -A in the terminal is my truth check. Both work well on 22.04 and 24.04. Small tip: don’t fear dotfiles. They’re like the wiring in your house. You don’t need to stare at them. But when you need them, you want the switch right there—and Ubuntu gives you that switch.