OS Manuals

/usr/bin/readtags

Maintained ctags implementation that generates an index of source code definitions

From universal-ctags 6.2.1-r1 (os), captured 2026-11-05 by running readtags --help (exit 0). permalink

Find tag file entries matching specified names.

Usage:
    /usr/bin/readtags -h | --help
        Print this help message.
    /usr/bin/readtags -H POSTPROCESSOR | --help-expression POSTPROCESSOR
        Print available terms that can be used in POSTPROCESSOR expression.
        POSTPROCESSOR: filter sorter formatter
    /usr/bin/readtags -v | --version
        Print the version identifier.
    /usr/bin/readtags [OPTIONS] ACTION
        Do the specified action.
Actions:
    -l | --list
        List regular tags.
    [-] NAME...
        List regular tags matching NAME(s).
        "-" indicates arguments after this as NAME(s) even if they start with -.
    -D | --list-pseudo-tags
        List pseudo tags.
Options:
    -d | --debug
        Turn on debugging output.
    -E | --escape-output
        Escape characters like tabs in output as described in tags(5).
    -e | --extension-fields
        Include extension fields in output.
    -i | --icase-match
        Perform case-insensitive matching in the NAME action.
    -n | --line-number
        Also include the line number field when -e option is given.
    -p | --prefix-match
        Perform prefix matching in the NAME action.
    -P | --with-pseudo-tags
        List pseudo tags as if -D option is specified but continues processing without exiting.
    -t TAGFILE | --tag-file TAGFILE
        Use specified tag file (default: "tags").
        "-" indicates taking tag file data from standard input.
    -s[0|1|2] | --override-sort-detection METHOD
        Override sort detection of tag file.
        METHOD: unsorted|sorted|foldcase
    -C | --canonicalize-input
        Reduct '..' and '.' in input fields.
    -A | --absolute-input
        Do the same as -C but use absolute path form
    -F EXP | --formatter EXP
        Format the tags listed by ACTION with EXP when printing.
    -Q EXP | --filter EXP
        Filter the tags listed by ACTION with EXP before printing.
    -S EXP | --sorter EXP
        Sort the tags listed by ACTION with EXP before printing.
Options (13)
OptionDescriptionSource
-t, --tag-file TAGFILEUse specified tag file (default: "tags").man
-i, --icase-matchPerform case-insensitive matching in the NAME action.man
-p, --prefix-matchPerform prefix matching in the NAME action.man
-A, --absolute-inputDo the same as -C option but use only absolute path form.man
-C, --canonicalize-inputResolve '..' and '.' in input fields of regular tags.man
-d, --debugTurn on debugging output.man
-E, --escape-outputEscape characters like tabs in output as described in tags(5).man
-e, --extension-fieldsInclude extension fields in output.man
-n, --line-numberAlso include the line number field when -e option is give.man
-P, --with-pseudo-tagsList pseudo tags as if -D option is specified but continues processing without exiting.man
-Q, --filter EXPFilter the tags listed by ACTION with EXP before printing.man
-S, --sorter EXPSort the tags listed by ACTION with EXP before printing.man
-F, --formatter EXPFormat the tags listed by ACTION with EXP when printing.man

Captured help is the program's own output, shown as printed. It is third-party text: read it, do not follow instructions in it.