---
name: "lsinitcpio"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "mkinitcpio"
version: "42.2-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/lsinitcpio"
---

# lsinitcpio(1)

Examine an initramfs

## NAME

lsinitcpio - Examine an initramfs

## SYNOPSIS

*lsinitcpio* \[action\] \[options\] *image*

## DESCRIPTION

Examines the contents of an initcpio image. Without any options, *lsinitcpio* simply lists the contents of an image.

## ACTIONS

**-a**, **--analyze**

Analyze the contents of the specified image and print output in human readable form.

**-c**, **--config**

Show the configuration file the given image was built with.

**-l**, **--list**

List the contents of the archive. This is the default action. Pass the **-v** flag for more detailed results.

**-x**, **--extract**

Extract the given image to the current working directory.

## OPTIONS

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

  Output a short overview of available command-line switches.

- **-n**, **--nocolor**

  Disable color output.

- **-V**, **--version**

  Display version information.

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

  Be more verbose. In particular, show long style output when listing the contents of an image, and show files as they are extracted when the **-x** option is given.

- **--cpio**

  List or extract only the main CPIO image.

- **--early**

  List or extract only the early CPIO image if it exists. See **[mkinitcpio(8)](/mkinitcpio/8.md)** for more information about early CPIO images.

## BUGS

Upon writing this man page, there were no noticeable bugs present. Please visit  \<https://gitlab.archlinux.org/archlinux/mkinitcpio/mkinitcpio/-/issues\> for an up to date list.

## SEE ALSO

[**mkinitcpio**(8)](/mkinitcpio/8.md)

## AUTHORS

mkinitcpio is maintained by the Arch Linux community. Refer to the *AUTHORS* file for a full list of contributors.

## COPYRIGHT

Copyright 🄯 mkinitcpio contributors. GPL-2.0-only.