bzless command in Linux with examples (original) (raw)

Last Updated : 11 Jul, 2025

bzless is a command similar to bzmore, but it has many more features. bzless does not have to read the entire input file before starting, so with a large file, it starts up faster than text editors like vi. bzless uses termcap (or terminfo on some systems), so it can run on a variety of terminals. Similar to bzmore it works on both types of files(compressed or uncompressed).Note: Press space to see more or ctrl+z to close the file. bzless uses the same options as bzmore.Use of Different keys:

• "i" key is pressed in order to read more lines.
• "^D" is used to display 11 more lines. If i is given, then the scroll size is set to i.
• "d" works same as ^D.
• "iz" works same as typing a space except that i, if present, becomes the new window size.
• "q" or "Q" to quit reading the current file and go on to the next (if any file is present).
• "e" or "q" is pressed when the prompt --More--(Next file: file) is printed, this command causes bzmore to exit.
• "s" is pressed when the prompt --More--(Next file: file) is printed, this command causes bzmore to skip the next file and continue.
• "."(dot) repeat the previous command.

Syntax:

bzless [less_options] file...

Example: