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dust

github.com

Free plan Open source WindowsmacOSLinux
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Spec score 8.5 #1 of 18 in Nintendo DS Emulators

What it is

dust is a free Rust command-line tool for finding where disk space is used. It lays out large files and subdirectories as a tree, with colored bars showing disk usage and hierarchy. Filters can include or exclude files using regular expressions and set a minimum file size. Output options let you show files or directories, group by file type, and choose size units. A screen-reader option removes bars and symbols and adds a depth-level column. dust runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, with release packages listed for each, including architecture-specific builds. The README lists installation routes including Cargo, Homebrew, DNF, Snap, mise, Pacstall, conda-forge, deb-get, x-cmd, and Scoop. The Snap package can access files only in /home. The project is licensed under Apache-2.0; its v1.2.6 release page displays SHA-256 checksums for downloads. GitHub Issues and Discussions are available for support.

Spec sheet

What it does
Dust is a Rust command-line replacement for du that visualizes directory and file disk usage.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Purpose
dust is a Rust tool described as a more intuitive version of du for seeing where disk space is used.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Platforms
The README describes a quick installation for Linux, macOS, and Windows and lists Windows GNU and MSVC builds.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Free plan
YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · github.com
Support
The repository provides GitHub Issues and Discussions for the project.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
License
The repository contains the Apache License 2.0 text.Read 15 Oct 2026 · raw.githubusercontent.com
Accessibility
A screen-reader option removes bars and symbols and adds a depth-level column.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Application sizes
NoRead 23 Sep 2026 · github.com
Automatic overview
It recursively seeks the largest entries and displays a compact overview without requiring sort or head.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Configuration
Defaults can be stored in XDG_CONFIG_HOME/dust/config.toml, ~/.config/dust/config.toml, or ~/.dust.toml.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Depth control
The -d option limits displayed recursion depth.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Exportable reports
YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · github.com
Extensibility
The manifest shows a binary application using clap, rayon, regex, serde, serde_json, sysinfo, and configuration-related crates; it does not advertise a public SDK.Read 15 Oct 2026 · raw.githubusercontent.com
File and directory filters
Options include directories-only, files-only, minimum-size, filename regex inclusion and exclusion, hidden-file control, and filesystem boundaries.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
File-type breakdown
YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · github.com
Filtering
Options can include or exclude files by regular expression and set a minimum file size.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Hierarchy bars
Colored bars show relative size and parent-child directory relationships.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Homebrew availability
Homebrew lists dust 1.2.6, Apache-2.0 licensed, with bottles for Apple Silicon macOS and Linux ARM64 and x86_64.Read 15 Oct 2026 · formulae.brew.sh
Homebrew usage
Homebrew reported 3,466 installs in the preceding 30 days and 32,035 in the preceding 365 days when the page was read.Read 15 Oct 2026 · formulae.brew.sh
Independent resource profile
X-CMD estimates about 6 MB memory use, 2.8 MB disk use, low CPU, one process, and no network activity.Read 15 Oct 2026 · x-cmd.com
Independent setup rating
ExplainGit rates setup difficulty as easy, with an estimated five minutes to first use.Read 15 Oct 2026 · explaingit.com
Installation
The README lists installation through Cargo, Homebrew, DNF, Snap, mise, Pacstall, conda-forge, deb-get, x-cmd, and Scoop.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Installation channels
Official instructions list a shell installer, Cargo, Homebrew, DNF, Snap, mise, Pacstall, Conda, deb-get, x-cmd, Scoop, and release archives.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
JSON output
The -j option emits JSON that can be piped into tools such as jq.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Latest release
Version 1.2.6 was released on 16 September 2026 with Linux, macOS, and Windows assets.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limit: broken-pipe panic
An open issue reports a panic when dust is piped to a consumer that exits early.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limit: documentation
A LinuxLinks reader comment says dust needed a man page, identifying a documentation gap.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linuxlinks.com
Limit: filtering request
An issue requests rsync-style filter syntax for include and exclude rules.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limit: interactive manager integration
An issue requests a command to open an interactive file manager from dust results.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limit: macOS permissions
An issue reports that macOS may still request privacy access even when filtering /Users.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limit: no deletion workflow
Shell & Coin recommends ncdu instead when interactive browsing and deletion are required.Read 15 Oct 2026 · cavecreekcoffee.com
Limit: no remote browsing
Hysen Labs describes dust as lacking deletion and remote interactive browsing features.Read 15 Oct 2026 · hysenlabs.com
Limit: reflink accounting
An issue reports inaccurate handling of shared physical extents from APFS, btrfs, and XFS reflinks.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limit: reporting
MakerStack says dust lacks built-in export and reporting features beyond its command output.Read 15 Oct 2026 · makerstack.co
Limit: Snap architecture issue
An open GitHub issue reports that the Snap arm64 package points to an x86-64 build.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limit: terminal width
MakerStack notes that the bar display needs sufficient terminal width to remain readable.Read 15 Oct 2026 · makerstack.co
Limit: terminal-only interface
MakerStack reports that dust has no interactive navigation or drill-down interface and is less capable than ncdu for exploration.Read 15 Oct 2026 · makerstack.co
Output
Options include showing only files or directories, grouping by file type, and changing size units.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Output limits
By default dust shows the largest entries that fit the terminal height, adjustable with -n.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Overview
It displays large files and subdirectories in a tree, with colored bars representing disk usage and hierarchy.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Package metadata
Cargo identifies the package as du-dust, version 1.2.6, with a dust binary at src/main.rs and Apache-2.0 licensing.Read 15 Oct 2026 · raw.githubusercontent.com
Praise: command-line usefulness
A Reddit command-line discussion praises dust as an effective replacement for complicated du pipelines.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Praise: snapshot performance
Shell & Coin measured dust scanning a 50 GB tree on a 500 GB SSD in about four seconds and recommended it for quick noninteractive snapshots.Read 15 Oct 2026 · cavecreekcoffee.com
Praise: speed
MakerStack credits Rust parallel scanning with fast results and describes the distributed binary as dependency-free.Read 15 Oct 2026 · makerstack.co
Praise: visual clarity
MakerStack says horizontal bars make disk usage faster and more intuitive to understand than raw du output.Read 15 Oct 2026 · makerstack.co
Rating on HelloGitHub
10.0 out of 10 from 1 reviewRead 15 Oct 2026 · hellogithub.com
Release downloads
The releases page lists downloadable packages for Linux, macOS, and Windows, including architecture-specific builds.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Release integrity
The v1.2.6 release page displays SHA-256 checksums for its downloadable assets.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Scan scope
files_foldersRead 23 Sep 2026 · github.com
Screen-reader mode
The -R option removes graphical bars and adds depth information for screen-reader use.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Security caveat
X-CMD reports zero signed releases and zero pinned dependencies in its OpenSSF-oriented summary.Read 15 Oct 2026 · x-cmd.com
Snap limit
The README says the Snap installation can only access files stored in the /home directory.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Snap limitation
The Snap package warns that its sandbox can access only files under /home.Read 15 Oct 2026 · snapcraft.io
Snap maintenance
Snapcraft marks the channel as not updated recently and warns of possible maintenance, stability, or security concerns.Read 15 Oct 2026 · snapcraft.io
Treemap view
NoRead 23 Sep 2026 · github.com
Windows requirement
The Windows MSVC build requires VCRUNTIME140.dll, while the GNU build is also available.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

dust Free Command-line disk usage tool · Apache-2.0 license Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every dust plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Shows files and folders in a colored tree.
  • Filters by regular expression and minimum size.
  • Groups results by file type.
  • Screen-reader mode adds depth levels.
  • Available on Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Limits

  • Snap access is limited to files in /home.
  • It has no treemap view or application sizes.

Who it suits

dust suits people who want a command-line view of disk usage on Linux, macOS, or Windows. Its filters and screen-reader option offer ways to tailor the output.

dust in depth

Read the full write-up

dust is a free command-line utility for tracking disk usage across Linux, macOS and Windows. It is best suited to terminal users who want to find oversized files and folders; readers who need a graphical disk map should choose another tool.

Overview

As a Rust-based take on du, dust arranges large files and subdirectories in a tree, using colored bars to show disk usage and hierarchy. This makes it easier to follow a large total down into its contributing folders than a simple list does. The trade-off is a deliberately narrow view: dust has no treemap and does not report application sizes.

Key features

Regular-expression filters can include or exclude matching files, while a minimum-size threshold helps push small entries out of view. These controls are useful when a scan spans a cluttered directory and the immediate task is to isolate the largest contributors. Output options can show files or directories alone, group results by file type, and change size units. File-type grouping gives a useful way to see which categories contribute to usage, and exportable reports let users retain results beyond the current display.

A screen-reader option removes the bars and symbols and adds a depth-level column. That gives the hierarchy a more structured text presentation, rather than making the visual bars the only way to interpret it.

Pricing

dust is free: its plan costs nothing and includes the command-line disk usage tool under the Apache-2.0 license. There are no paid tiers or plan limits in the supplied plan. This suits individual users and teams that are comfortable adopting a command-line utility; readers seeking a paid support tier or a graphical interface should look elsewhere.

Platforms

dust runs on Linux, macOS and Windows. Installation routes include Cargo, Homebrew, DNF, Snap, mise, Pacstall, conda-forge, deb-get, x-cmd and Scoop, alongside downloadable release packages for all three operating systems, including architecture-specific builds. The v1.2.6 release page provides SHA-256 checksums for its downloadable assets, and GitHub Issues and Discussions are the project’s support channels.

One installation caveat matters: the Snap package can access only files stored under /home. Anyone scanning paths elsewhere should use another installation route.

Who it's for

Choose dust if you want a compact terminal view that connects large files to their parent folders, and value filtering, file-type grouping or report export. It is a poor fit if you need a visual treemap, application-size reporting, or a scan outside /home while using Snap.

Pros and cons

Pros: The tree and colored bars show size in context, so large totals can be traced through nested folders.

Pros: Regex filters, a minimum-size threshold and file-or-directory output controls help narrow noisy scans.

Pros: A screen-reader mode provides a text-oriented hierarchy with depth levels.

Cons: No treemap or application-size view, limiting its usefulness for readers who want a graphical overview or software-level accounting.

Cons: Snap access is confined to /home, which can rule out scans of other locations.

Alternatives

For another disk-space analyzer, see Disk Space Analyzers. The other linked alternatives are Nintendo DS emulators or unrelated software categories, so they are not direct substitutes for dust.

Verdict

Pick dust if you want a free, cross-platform terminal tool that makes disk usage easier to trace through a directory tree. Its filters, output controls and accessible text mode add practical flexibility without changing that focused scope. Look elsewhere if a treemap or application-size reporting is essential, and avoid the Snap package when your scan needs paths outside /home.

Verdict

dust combines a tree display with filtering and several output options. Note the Snap access restriction if you install through Snap.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to dustAll alternatives →