---
name: "stest"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "dmenu"
version: "5.4-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/stest"
---

# stest(1)

filter a list of files by properties

## NAME

stest - filter a list of files by properties

## SYNOPSIS

**stest** \[**-abcdefghlpqrsuwx**\] \[**-n** *file*\] \[**-o** *file*\] \[*file*...\]

## DESCRIPTION

**stest** takes a list of files and filters by the files' properties, analogous to [*test*(1)](/test/1.md). Files which pass all tests are printed to stdout. If no files are given, stest reads files from stdin.

## OPTIONS

- **-a**

  Test hidden files.

- **-b**

  Test that files are block specials.

- **-c**

  Test that files are character specials.

- **-d**

  Test that files are directories.

- **-e**

  Test that files exist.

- **-f**

  Test that files are regular files.

- **-g**

  Test that files have their set-group-ID flag set.

- **-h**

  Test that files are symbolic links.

- **-l**

  Test the contents of a directory given as an argument.

- **-n** *file*

  Test that files are newer than *file*.

- **-o** *file*

  Test that files are older than *file*.

- **-p**

  Test that files are named pipes.

- **-q**

  No files are printed, only the exit status is returned.

- **-r**

  Test that files are readable.

- **-s**

  Test that files are not empty.

- **-u**

  Test that files have their set-user-ID flag set.

- **-v**

  Invert the sense of tests, only failing files pass.

- **-w**

  Test that files are writable.

- **-x**

  Test that files are executable.

## EXIT STATUS

- **0**

  At least one file passed all tests.

- **1**

  No files passed all tests.

- **2**

  An error occurred.

## SEE ALSO

[*dmenu*(1)](/dmenu/1.md), [*test*(1)](/test/1.md)