How can I find all immediate sub-directories of the current directory on Linux?

Question

How can I find all immediate sub-directories of the current directory on Linux?

Solution 1

The simplest way is to exploit the shell globbing capabilities by writing echo */.

If you like to use ls, e.g. to apply formatting/sorting options, make it ls -d */.

Explanation:

• The slash ensures that only directories are considered, not files.
• Option -d: list directories themselves, not their contents

Solution 2

If you just need to get a list of sub directories (without caring about the language/tool to use) find is the command that you need.

It's able to find anything in a directory tree.

If by immediate you mean that you need only the child directories, but not the grandchild -maxdepth option will do the trick. Then -type will let you specify that you are only looking for directories:

find YOUR_DIRECTORY -type d -maxdepth 1 -mindepth 1

Solution 3

You can also use the below -

$ ls -l | grep '^d'

Brief explanation: As in long listing, the directories start with 'd', so the above command (grep) filters out those result, that start with 'd', which are nothing but directories.