Ultimate Linux Find Command Cheatsheet

Ultimate Linux Find Command Cheatsheet

📂 Find Command in Linux: World-Class Cheatsheet

🚀 Introduction

The find command is a powerful Linux utility to search files and directories based on name, type, size, permissions, modification time, and content.
It can also take actions on search results like deleting, moving, or executing commands.

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🛠 Syntax

find [path] [options] [expression]

• path → Starting point (. = current directory, / = root, or any path).

• options → Filters, depth control, etc.

• expression → Criteria for file selection (-name, -type, -size, etc.).

📌 Example:

find /home/user -type f -name "*.txt"

Finds all .txt files in /home/user.

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📋 Common Options

Option	Description	Example
-name pattern	Search by file name (case-sensitive)	find . -name "file.txt"
-iname pattern	Case-insensitive search	find . -iname "file.TXT"
-type f/d/l	File type: f=file, d=directory, l=symlink	find . -type d
-size [+/-]n	File size search (+ larger, - smaller, k/M/G)	find . -size +10M
-mtime n	Modified n days ago	find . -mtime -7
-perm mode	File permissions	find . -perm 644
-user name	Files owned by a user	find / -user root
-empty	Empty files/directories	find . -empty
-maxdepth n	Limit search depth	find . -maxdepth 1 -type f
-mindepth n	Minimum search depth	find . -mindepth 2 -type f
-exec cmd {} ;	Execute a command per file	find . -name "*.log" -exec rm {} ;
-exec cmd {} +	Execute command in batch	find . -name "*.log" -exec rm {} +
-delete	Delete matching files (⚠️)	find . -name "*.tmp" -delete

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🎯 Practical Examples

find ./GFG -name "sample.txt"

Finds sample.txt in the GFG directory.

find ./GFG -name "*.txt"

Finds all .txt files.
💡 Tip: Always quote *.txt to prevent shell expansion.

find ./GFG -name "sample.txt" -exec rm -i {} \;

Prompts before deleting each file.

find ./GFG -empty

Lists empty files and directories.

find ./GFG -perm 664

Finds files with 664 permissions.

find . -type d

Lists all directories recursively.

find ./ -type f -name "*.txt" -exec grep "Geek" {} \;

Finds files containing "Geek".

find /path/to/search -mtime -7

Files modified in the last 7 days.

find . -type f -exec grep -l "pattern" {} \;

Shows filenames containing "pattern".

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🗂 Decision Tree (ASCII)

Start Searching
       |
       v
   [Specify Path] ----------------------.
       |                                |
       v                                v
   Current Dir (.)                  Any Dir (/path)
       |
       v
   [Choose File Type]
       |
       |-- f (regular file)
       |-- d (directory)
       |-- l (symlink)
       |
       v
   [Add Criteria / Expression]
       |
       |-- -name "pattern"          --> Search by exact name
       |-- -iname "pattern"         --> Case-insensitive
       |-- -size [+/-]n             --> Search by size
       |-- -mtime n                 --> Search by modification time
       |-- -perm mode               --> Search by permissions
       |-- -user username           --> Search by owner
       |-- -empty                    --> Empty files/dirs
       |
       v
   [Depth Control - Optional]
       |
       |-- -maxdepth n
       |-- -mindepth n
       |
       v
   [Action on Results]
       |
       |-- -print                     --> Display file paths
       |-- -exec command {} \;        --> Execute per file
       |-- -exec command {} +         --> Execute in batch
       |-- -delete                    --> Delete files
       |
       v
   [Advanced Combination]
       |
       |-- Combine with grep
       |   Example: find . -type f -exec grep -l "pattern" {} \;
       |
       v
   [End]

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⚡ Common Mistakes

❌ find . -name *.txt → Use quotes: find . -name "*.txt"
❌ Searching root / without -maxdepth → slow
❌ Using -delete without testing → risky

✔ Always test with -print first!

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🧩 Practice Exercises

1. Find all empty directories inside /var/log.

2. Find files owned by root modified in the last 2 days.

3. Delete all files larger than 100MB inside /tmp.

4. List all .sh files in the current directory (non-recursive).

5. Search for "TODO" comments inside .py files.

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💡 Pro Tips

• Use -exec ... {} + for batch execution (faster than \;).

• Combine with xargs for performance:

find . -name "*.log" | xargs rm

• Use locate for very fast searches (requires updatedb).

• Combine multiple criteria:

find . -type f -name "*.txt" -size +1M -mtime -7

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📌 Interview Notes

• Difference between find and locate?

• How does find handle case-insensitive search?

• How to delete only empty files?

• Which is faster: find or grep -r for content search?