CHFLAGS(1) - General Commands Manual #
CHFLAGS(1) - General Commands Manual
NAME #
chflags - change file flags
SYNOPSIS #
chflags [-h] [-R [-H | -L | -P]] flags file …
DESCRIPTION #
The chflags utility modifies the file flags of the listed files as specified by the flags operand. The flags of a file dictate special restrictions beyond those enforced by its mode/permissions. Only the superuser can change the user flags on block and character devices.
You can use ls -lo to see the flags of existing files.
The options are as follows:
-H
If the -R option is also specified, symbolic links on the command line are followed. Symbolic links encountered in the tree traversal are not followed.
-h
Treat symbolic links like other files: modify links instead of following them. The -h and -R options are mutually exclusive.
-L
If the -R option is also specified, all symbolic links are followed.
-P
If the -R option is also specified, no symbolic links are followed.
-R
Recurse. Where file is a directory, change the flags of the directory and all the files and directories in the file hierarchy below it.
Flags are a comma separated list of keywords. The following keywords are currently defined:
arch
set the archived flag (superuser only)
nodump
set the nodump flag (owner or superuser only)
sappnd
set the system append-only flag (superuser only)
schg
set the system immutable flag (superuser only)
uappnd
set the user append-only flag (owner or superuser only)
uchg
set the user immutable flag (owner or superuser only)
The arch flag is for compatibility only, and currently has no effect.
A file with the nodump flag set will by default only be backed up by dump(8) during full backups. The -h option of dump(8) can be used to alter this.
An immutable file may not be changed, moved, or deleted. An append-only file is immutable except that data may be appended to it.
The superuser-settable sappnd and schg flags can be set at any time, but may only be cleared when the system is running at security level 0 or -1 (insecure or permanently insecure mode, respectively). For more information on setting the system security level, see securelevel(7).
Putting the letters no before a flag name causes the flag to be turned off. For example:
nouchg
the immutable bit should be cleared
The -H, -L, and -P options are ignored unless the -R option is specified. In addition, these options override each other and the command’s actions are determined by the last one specified.
EXIT STATUS #
The chflags utility exits 0 on success, and >0 if an error occurs.
SEE ALSO #
ls(1), chflags(2), stat(2), fts_open(3), securelevel(7), symlink(7), dump(8)
HISTORY #
The chflags command first appeared in 4.4BSD.
OpenBSD 7.5 - September 2, 2019