# bat Syntax-Highlighting Cat Replacement

> bat is a cat(1) clone written in Rust that adds syntax highlighting for over 200 languages, Git integration showing file modifications, automatic paging, and line numbering. It serves as a drop-in replacement for cat with enhanced readability for code and configuration files.

- Skill: `agentskillexchange/bat-syntax-highlighting-cat-replacement` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add agentskillexchange/bat-syntax-highlighting-cat-replacement`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/agentskillexchange/bat-syntax-highlighting-cat-replacement/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Integrations & APIs
- Author: agentskillexchange (https://skillmd.com/u/agentskillexchange)
- Updated: 2026-09-08
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/agentskillexchange/bat-syntax-highlighting-cat-replacement

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# bat Syntax-Highlighting Cat Replacement

bat is a cat(1) clone written in Rust that adds syntax highlighting for over 200 languages, Git integration showing file modifications, automatic paging, and line numbering. It serves as a drop-in replacement for cat with enhanced readability for code and configuration files.

## Installation

Use the upstream install or setup path that matches your environment:
- make install
- brew install bat
- higher. You can then use cargo to build everything:
- cargo install --path . --locked

Basic usage or getting-started notes:
- ![Syntax highlighting example](https://imgur.com/rGsdnDe.png)
- ![Git integration example](https://i.imgur.com/2lSW4RE.png)
- ![Non-printable character example](https://i.imgur.com/WndGp9H.png)

- Source: https://github.com/sharkdp/bat
- Extracted from upstream docs: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/sharkdp/bat/HEAD/README.md

## Source

- [Agent Skill Exchange](https://agentskillexchange.com/skills/bat-syntax-highlighting-cat-replacement/)