lsof
A command-line tool that lists open files and the processes that are using them.
Open sourceBy The lsof contributors
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1 more way to get lsof
Homebrewbrew install lsof
Alternatives
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About lsof
lsof (LiSt Open Files) reports which files, sockets and devices are currently open and which processes hold them. It is the usual way to find out why a disk cannot be unmounted, which program is listening on a port, or which files a process has open.
The project is maintained by the lsof-org community and supports a range of Unix-like systems, with documentation, a FAQ and test suite in the repository. It is mainly used by system administrators and developers debugging running systems.
Strengths
- Shows which process holds a file, socket or port
- Long-established tool available on many Unix-like systems
- Extensive documentation and FAQ
Limitations
- Dense output and many options to learn
- Often needs root to see other users' processes
- No Windows version
Details
- Pricing
- FreeFree to use; the source is published on GitHub.
- License
- Open source, license not stated
- Developer
- The lsof contributors
- Platforms
- Command line
- How it runs
- Downloadable app
- Account
- Not required
- Works offline
- Yes
- Best suited for
- Administrators finding which process is using a file, device or network port
- Categories
- System monitoring, CLI tools
- Last verified
- Added
- Sources