awl is a command-line DNS lookup tool that provides an alternative to dig. It supports traditional DNS queries and several encrypted protocols, making it useful for investigating DNS records and testing nameservers.
The application follows familiar dig-style syntax while also accepting conventional command-line options. Users can choose the DNS transport, inspect specific record types and control the information displayed in responses.
awl is suitable for interactive troubleshooting and shell scripts. Its structured output formats make it possible to process DNS results with other command-line utilities.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Supports DNS queries over UDP and TCP.
- Encrypted DNS support includes DNS over TLS, DNS over HTTPS, DNS over QUIC and DNSCrypt.
- Accepts dig-style query options alongside conventional command-line flags.
- Provides dig-style response output together with JSON, XML and YAML formats.
- Can display or suppress individual response sections, including Question, Answer, Authority and Additional.
- Options for controlling DNS header flags, including AA, AD, CD, RD, RA, QR, TC, Z and DO.
- Short output mode for displaying query results without additional response details.
- Allows users to specify the DNS record type and resolver for individual queries.
- Supports displaying or suppressing DNS query statistics.
- Can use local resolver settings for ordinary DNS lookups.
- Suitable for processing DNS responses in scripts and automated diagnostic workflows.
Website: git.froth.zone/sam/awl
Support:
Developer: Sam Therapy, Gregward Bulon
License: BSD 3-Clause ‘New’ or ‘Revised’ License
awl is written in Go. Learn Go with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| Alternatives to dig | |
|---|---|
| dog | DNS client with colorful output, DNS-over-TLS and DNS-over-HTTPS support |
| doggo | Command-line DNS client for humans |
| drill | Perform DNS lookups and display answers returned from the name server(s) |
| dnslookup | Supports plain DNS, DoH, DoT, DoQ, and DNSCrypt |
| dug | Global DNS propagation checker |
| q | Support for UDP, TCP, DoT, DoH, DoQ and ODoH |
| DNS Clients | |
|---|---|
| dog | Colourful output, understands normal command-line argument syntax |
| doggo | Command-line DNS client for humans |
| q | Tiny command line DNS client supporting UDP, TCP, DoT, DoH, DoQ and ODoH |
| ddclient | Update dynamic DNS entries |
| GoDNS | Dynamic DNS (DDNS) client tool |
| dig | DNS lookup utility |
| awl | DNS lookup tool |
| ZDNS | High-speed DNS resolver and command line utility |
| dnslookup | Make DNS lookups |
| dug | Global DNS propagation checker |
| drill | Perform DNS lookups |
| dness | Dynamic DNS client |
| zns | Fast DNS lookup tool with DNSSEC validation and delegation tracing |
| In-a-Dyn | Small and simple Dynamic DNS, DDNS, client |
| doh | Query multiple DNS-over-HTTPS resolvers with JSON output |
| dnsupdate | Modern and flexible dynamic DNS client |
| ch4 | Dig-compatible DNS client with UDP, TCP and EDNS support |
| wig | Simple and lightweight DNS client |
| dyndnsc | Dynamic DNS update client |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
 LinuxLinks helps you discover the best free and open source software for Linux. Explore our extensive collection of recommended applications, including alternatives to popular proprietary software.We also publish software reviews, Linux tutorials, hardware reviews, free programming books and articles covering the wider open source community. Browse our Linux resources to discover more. Know a useful free and open source Linux application we haven't covered? Suggest a program for inclusion. Has your software been featured on LinuxLinks? Display one of our Featured on LinuxLinks badges on your website or GitHub README. |
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.