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delta
What it is
Delta is a free, open-source pager that adds syntax highlighting to Git diffs and other command-line output, including grep, ripgrep JSON, and blame results. Its diff display can place changes side by side with line numbers and automatic wrapping. Within-line edits are highlighted using a Levenshtein edit inference algorithm, and syntax themes are those available with bat. Delta can serve as Git's pager and interactive diff filter; its documentation also covers zdiff3 for merge conflicts. It can highlight ripgrep, git grep, and grep output, while hyperlinks in blame and diff views can target GitHub, GitLab, SourceHut, or Codeberg. The manual includes guidance for Magit, VS Code, tmux, and GNU Screen. Installation options include executables for Linux glibc, Linux musl, macOS, and Windows, as well as package-manager instructions. Delta depends on less for paging, and the project recommends a reasonably recent version. The repository includes an MIT License with permissions for use, copying, modification, distribution, sublicensing, and sale subject to its conditions.
For and against
For
- Free software under the MIT License.
- Side-by-side diffs include line numbers and automatic wrapping.
- Can highlight grep and ripgrep output.
- Executables are offered for Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Against
- Requires less for paging.
- The project says a reasonably recent version of less should be installed.
- The project has no SECURITY.md file or published security advisories.
The verdict
Delta adds configurable highlighting and diff views to command-line workflows, with executables and package-manager installation instructions. It depends on less, so users should account for that requirement.
Who it suits
Delta suits command-line users who want syntax-highlighted Git diffs, grep output, or blame results. Its documented integrations may also interest users of Magit, VS Code, tmux, or GNU Screen.
Plans and prices
git-delta
MIT-licensed software; install via package manager or download an executable
Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Dependency
- Delta uses less for paging and says a reasonably recent version should be installed.dandavison.github.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Diff views
- It supports side-by-side diffs with automatic line wrapping and line numbers.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Editor integration
- The manual describes using delta with Magit and VS Code.dandavison.github.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Git integration
- The project documents configuring delta as Git's pager and interactive diff filter, and using zdiff3 for merge conflicts.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Hosting links
- Its blame and diff hyperlinks support GitHub, GitLab, SourceHut, and Codeberg.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The project offers executables for Linux glibc, Linux musl, macOS, and Windows, plus package-manager installation instructions.dandavison.github.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository includes the MIT License, which permits use, copying, modification, distribution, sublicensing, and sale subject to its stated conditions.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Other integrations
- The manual also has guidance for tmux and GNU Screen.dandavison.github.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Delta is a syntax-highlighting pager for Git, diff, grep, ripgrep JSON, and blame output.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Release
- The 0.20.0 release adds OSC1717 diff-line metadata support for TUIs such as lazygit.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Search output
- Delta can syntax-highlight output from ripgrep, git grep, and grep.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Security
- GitHub reports that the project has not set up a SECURITY.md file and has no published security advisories.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Syntax themes
- Delta supports the syntax-highlighting themes available with bat.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Word highlighting
- It highlights changes within lines using a Levenshtein edit inference algorithm.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
