delta
github.com
What it is
delta is a free, open-source pager for Git and related command-line output, including diffs, grep, ripgrep JSON, and blame. It can show diffs side by side with line numbers and automatic wrapping, and highlight edits within lines using a Levenshtein edit inference algorithm. Its syntax themes are the ones available with bat. Delta can be configured as Git’s pager and interactive diff filter, and its documentation covers zdiff3 for merge conflicts. It can highlight output from ripgrep, git grep, and grep; blame and diff hyperlinks can target GitHub, GitLab, SourceHut, and Codeberg. The manual also describes integrations with Magit, VS Code, tmux, and GNU Screen. Executables are offered for Linux glibc, Linux musl, macOS, and Windows, alongside package-manager installation instructions. Paging depends on less, for which the project recommends a reasonably recent version. The project includes the MIT License. The listed git-delta plan costs nothing.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- Delta is a syntax-highlighting pager for Git, diff, grep, ripgrep JSON, and blame output.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Security
- GitHub reports that the project has not set up a SECURITY.md file and has no published security advisories.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- License
- The repository includes the MIT License, which permits use, copying, modification, distribution, sublicensing, and sale subject to its stated conditions.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Dependency
- Delta uses less for paging and says a reasonably recent version should be installed.Read 4 Oct 2026 · dandavison.github.io
- Diff views
- It supports side-by-side diffs with automatic line wrapping and line numbers.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Editor integration
- The manual describes using delta with Magit and VS Code.Read 4 Oct 2026 · dandavison.github.io
- Git integration
- The project documents configuring delta as Git's pager and interactive diff filter, and using zdiff3 for merge conflicts.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Hosting links
- Its blame and diff hyperlinks support GitHub, GitLab, SourceHut, and Codeberg.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Installation
- The project offers executables for Linux glibc, Linux musl, macOS, and Windows, plus package-manager installation instructions.Read 4 Oct 2026 · dandavison.github.io
- Other integrations
- The manual also has guidance for tmux and GNU Screen.Read 4 Oct 2026 · dandavison.github.io
- Release
- The 0.20.0 release adds OSC1717 diff-line metadata support for TUIs such as lazygit.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Search output
- Delta can syntax-highlight output from ripgrep, git grep, and grep.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Syntax themes
- Delta supports the syntax-highlighting themes available with bat.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Word highlighting
- It highlights changes within lines using a Levenshtein edit inference algorithm.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Plans and prices
git-delta Free MIT-licensed software; install via package manager or download an executable Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Side-by-side diffs include line numbers and automatic wrapping.
- Highlights changes within lines.
- Supports several hosting services through diff and blame links.
- Executables and package-manager instructions cover four operating systems.
Limits
- Paging requires a reasonably recent version of less.
- No SECURITY.md file is set up.
- The project has no published security advisories.
Who it suits
delta suits command-line users who want syntax-highlighted Git diffs, grep output, and blame views. It also fits workflows using the editors and terminal tools covered in its manual.
Verdict
delta combines diff presentation, syntax highlighting, and integrations for Git-oriented command-line workflows. Account for its less dependency and the repository’s stated security-documentation status.
Where Specifiction places it
- SNES Emulators#10 of 308.0
- Diff and Merge Tools#13 of 298.0
- Disk Space Analyzers#90 of 1057.3
