How to Open ‘less’ Scrolled to the End

less

Is there a way to open less and have it scroll to the end of the file? I'm always doing less app.log and then pressing G to go to the bottom.

I'm hoping there's something like less --end or less -exec 'G'.

Best Answer

less +G app.log

+ will run an initial command when the file is opened

G jumps to the end

When multiple files are in play, ++ applies commands to every file being viewed. Not just the first one. For example, less ++G app1.log app2.log.

Related Solutions

less Command Equivalent to tail -f

use the command "F" while inside of less.

less mylogfile.txt
F

or, to do so automatically, use the +cmd option:

less +F mylogfile.txt

Follow Pipe with less – How to Follow a Pipe Using less

Pressing F or G makes less try to reach input EOF. If the input is a pipe, less hangs until the pipe is closed on the other side (and not "does nothing").

This can be worked around by saving the command output to a temporary file in the background, and then by using it as input for less:

command > /tmp/x &
less +F /tmp/x; kill %; rm /tmp/x

There is no option to do this in less only; however, I admit it would be useful.

Best Answer

Related Solutions

less Command Equivalent to tail -f

Follow Pipe with less – How to Follow a Pipe Using less

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