---
name: "ostree-cat"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "ostree"
version: "2026.4-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/ostree-cat"
---

# ostree-cat(1)

Display or concatenate contents of files

## NAME

ostree-cat - Display or concatenate contents of files

## SYNOPSIS

**ostree cat** {COMMIT} {PATH...}

## DESCRIPTION

This command functions much like the typical Unix "cat" command, in that it displays the contents of a file, or concatenates them given two or more files. However, this command requires the user to specify a commit - a checksum or refspec corresponding to a given build. If you use a refspec, OSTree will refer to the most recent commit, unless you specify a parent build using the carat (^) at the end of the refspec. It will then operate the command in that given commit.

## EXAMPLE

**$ ostree cat my-branch helloworld.txt**

```
        Hello, world!
```