# bat A better cat (file viewer). Source: [Console review]() Website: [https://github.com/sharkdp/bat]() Profile updated: 2026-10-16 Category: [Terminal utilities]() ## Supported tech stack Research checked: 2026-10-11 ### Runs on - FreeBSD (Operating system) - Linux (Operating system) - OpenBSD (Operating system) - Windows (Operating system) - macOS (Operating system) ### Written in - Rust (Language) Source: [Research source]() Documented compatibility; coverage may be incomplete. Written in describes implementation, not user-project language support. README documents Rust source build and installation on Linux, macOS, Windows, FreeBSD and OpenBSD. ## Console’s review — 2023-03-30 Reviewed: 2023-03-30 Author: [David Mytton]() Citation: [This review]() ### What we like Replaces cat. Supports syntax highlighting and has a Git integration showing modifications in the gutter. Includes line numbers (by default, can be disabled) and a pager. Detects non-interactive usage and turns off all the fancy features for full cat compatibility. Single, open source Rust binary with packages for most platforms. ### Tradeoffs Line numbers get in the way of copy/paste, so you need to remember to launch it with the -p plain flag as needed. This review reflects Console’s assessment at publication on 2023-03-30. Features and limitations may have changed since the review date. ## Is bat a fit? Based on [Console’s review published on 2023-03-30](). Summary updated: 2026-10-16 ### Who it’s for Developers who need a file viewer with syntax highlighting and Git integration ### Why consider it Provides syntax highlighting and Git integration ### Keep in mind May interfere with copy/paste due to line numbers ## In these collections [A more useful terminal](): Read source files with syntax highlighting and Git changes in the gutter. The review notes that plain mode is useful when copying text without line numbers. [Selection criteria]() · [About Console]() · [Browse tools]()