A command-line tool that adds syntax highlighting to cat output, with automatic language detection.
hicat is a command-line syntax highlighter that functions like an enhanced version of the `cat` command. It automatically detects programming languages from file extensions or content and applies syntax highlighting to make code more readable in terminal output. It solves the problem of viewing plain, unformatted code files in the command line.
Developers and system administrators who frequently view or share code snippets in terminal sessions and want improved readability without switching to GUI editors.
Developers choose hicat for its simplicity, automatic language detection, and seamless integration into existing command-line workflows without requiring configuration or external dependencies beyond npm installation.
Command-line syntax highlighter
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Infers syntax highlighting from file extensions or content analysis, making it hassle-free for most files, as shown in README examples like `hicat index.js` and piped input.
Works with piped input from commands like curl, allowing syntax highlighting for remote code snippets, demonstrated with `curl http://example.com | hicat`.
Installed via npm with no additional config needed, and supports aliases for quick integration, as suggested in the Tips and tricks section.
Includes a pager for easy scrolling through long outputs, enhancing usability without external tools, as mentioned with the `--no-pager` option.
Requires Node.js and npm for installation, which can be a barrier in environments without Node.js or where package managers are restricted, limiting portability.
Relies on highlight.js for highlighting, so customization of themes or adding unsupported languages isn't straightforward without modifying source code.
Syntax highlighting adds processing time, which might be noticeable for very large files compared to using plain cat, though not explicitly addressed in README.