dust
What it is
dust is a free Rust command-line tool for finding where disk space is used. It displays large files and subdirectories in a tree, with colored bars showing usage and directory hierarchy. Filters can include or exclude files by regular expression and set a minimum file size. Output options include showing only files or directories, grouping by file type, and changing size units. A screen-reader option removes bars and symbols and adds a column for depth levels. dust is listed for Linux, macOS, and Windows. The README describes installation through Cargo, Homebrew, DNF, Snap, mise, Pacstall, conda-forge, deb-get, x-cmd, and Scoop; the releases page also offers platform packages, including architecture-specific builds. The v1.2.6 release page displays SHA-256 checksums for downloadable assets. The repository identifies the license as Apache-2.0 and provides GitHub Issues and Discussions for support. One installation constraint applies to Snap: it can access only files stored in the /home directory.
For and against
For
- Tree display shows disk usage and directory hierarchy.
- Filters support regular expressions and minimum file sizes.
- Can group output by file type.
- Screen-reader option adds depth levels.
- Available for Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Against
- Snap installation can access only files in /home.
- It is a command-line tool.
The verdict
dust presents directory usage as a filterable tree and offers an option for screen-reader use. If installing through Snap, its access is limited to files in /home.
Who it suits
dust suits command-line users who want to locate large files and directories across Linux, macOS, or Windows. Its filtering options and screen-reader mode offer additional ways to inspect results.
Plans and prices
dust
Command-line disk usage tool · Apache-2.0 license
Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Accessibility
- A screen-reader option removes bars and symbols and adds a depth-level column.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Application sizes
- Nogithub.com · read 23 Sep 2026
- Automatic overview
- It recursively seeks the largest entries and displays a compact overview without requiring sort or head.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Configuration
- Defaults can be stored in XDG_CONFIG_HOME/dust/config.toml, ~/.config/dust/config.toml, or ~/.dust.toml.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Depth control
- The -d option limits displayed recursion depth.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Exportable reports
- Yesgithub.com · read 23 Sep 2026
- Extensibility
- The manifest shows a binary application using clap, rayon, regex, serde, serde_json, sysinfo, and configuration-related crates; it does not advertise a public SDK.raw.githubusercontent.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- File and directory filters
- Options include directories-only, files-only, minimum-size, filename regex inclusion and exclusion, hidden-file control, and filesystem boundaries.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- File-type breakdown
- Yesgithub.com · read 23 Sep 2026
- Filtering
- Options can include or exclude files by regular expression and set a minimum file size.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Hierarchy bars
- Colored bars show relative size and parent-child directory relationships.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Homebrew availability
- Homebrew lists dust 1.2.6, Apache-2.0 licensed, with bottles for Apple Silicon macOS and Linux ARM64 and x86_64.formulae.brew.sh · read 15 Oct 2026
- Homebrew usage
- Homebrew reported 3,466 installs in the preceding 30 days and 32,035 in the preceding 365 days when the page was read.formulae.brew.sh · read 15 Oct 2026
- Independent resource profile
- X-CMD estimates about 6 MB memory use, 2.8 MB disk use, low CPU, one process, and no network activity.x-cmd.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Independent setup rating
- ExplainGit rates setup difficulty as easy, with an estimated five minutes to first use.explaingit.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The README lists installation through Cargo, Homebrew, DNF, Snap, mise, Pacstall, conda-forge, deb-get, x-cmd, and Scoop.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Installation channels
- Official instructions list a shell installer, Cargo, Homebrew, DNF, Snap, mise, Pacstall, Conda, deb-get, x-cmd, Scoop, and release archives.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- JSON output
- The -j option emits JSON that can be piped into tools such as jq.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
