---
name: "catfish"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "catfish"
version: "4.20.1-2"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/catfish"
---

# catfish(1)

File searching tool which is configurable via the command line

## NAME

catfish - File searching tool which is configurable via the command line

## DESCRIPTION

**Catfish** is a handy file searching tool for Linux and UNIX. The interface is intentionally lightweight and simple, using only Gtk+3. You can configure it to your needs by using several command line options.

## SYNOPSIS

**catfish** \[*options*\] *path query*

## OPTIONS

- **--version**

  Show the version number and exit

- **-h**, **--help**

  Show the help message and exit

- **-v**, **--verbose**

  Show debug messages (**-vv** will also debug catfish\_lib)

- **--large-icons**

  Use large icons

- **--thumbnails**

  Use thumbnails

- **--iso-time**

  Display time in ISO format

- **--path**=*PATH*

  Set the default search path

- **--exact**

  Perform exact match

- **--hidden**

  Include hidden files

- **--fulltext**

  Perform fulltext search

- **--start**

  If path and query are provided, start searching when the application is displayed.

- **--sort**=*SORT*

  Set a default column to sort by (name\|size\|path\|date\|type),(asc\|desc)