hl is a command-line tool for inspecting structured logs from the terminal.
It’s designed for fast analysis of large log files and streams, helping users search, sort, and navigate log output without relying on heavier graphical tools. The project focuses on practical day-to-day troubleshooting with readable output, flexible filtering, and efficient handling of multiple inputs.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Supports both JSON and logfmt input formats.
- Filters records by field values, log levels, timestamps, and query expressions.
- Follows multiple log sources live with chronological synchronization.
- Handles compressed log files including bzip2, gzip, xz, and zstd.
- Integrates automatically with a pager, while also supporting pager-free streaming mode.
- Supports configuration files, environment variable overrides, and customizable themes.
- Cross-platform support – runs under Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Website: github.com/pamburus/hl
Support:
Developer: Pavel Ivanov
License: MIT License
hl is written in Rust. Learn Rust with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
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|---|---|
| lnav | Curses-based utility for viewing and analyzing log files. |
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| journalctl | Query and display messages from the journal |
| KSystemLog | System log viewer for KDE |
| toolong | View, tail, merge, and search log files |
| humanlog | Reads logs from stdin and prints them back to stdout, but prettier. |
| Xlogmaster | GTK+ based program to keep track of logfiles and devices |
| frontail | Stream logs to your web browser |
| logrifle | Designed to "rifle through" large logfiles |
| Gnome-logs | View and search logs with this graphical utility |
| glogg | Qt graphical log explorer |
| MultiTail | View multiple logfiles windowed on the console |
| Chipmunk | Fast logfile viewer that can deal with huge logfiles (>10 GB) |
| QLogExplorer | Qt-based tool for exploring log files |
| Grafito | Simple, self-contained web-based log viewer for journalctl |
| swatch | Logfile viewer with regexp matching, highlighting & hooks |
| logmaster-gtk-d | Log viewer for Linux built with GTK and D |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
 Explore our comprehensive directory of recommended free and open source software. Our carefully curated collection spans every major software category.This directory is part of our ongoing series of informative articles for Linux enthusiasts. It features hundreds of detailed reviews, along with open source alternatives to proprietary solutions from major corporations such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Cisco, Oracle, and Autodesk. You’ll also find interesting projects to try, hardware coverage, free programming books and tutorials, and much more. Discovered a useful open source Linux program that we haven’t covered yet? Let us know by completing this form. |