# delta — Syntax-Highlighting Pager for Git Diff and Grep

> delta is a syntax-highlighting pager for git, diff, grep, and rg output. Beautiful side-by-side diffs with language-aware highlighting, line numbers, and theming. Drop-in replacement for the default git pager.

## Install

Save in your project root:

## Quick Use

```bash
# Install
brew install git-delta                     # macOS
cargo install git-delta                    # Rust
sudo apt install git-delta                 # Debian 13+
```

Configure git to use delta (`~/.gitconfig`):
```ini
[core]
    pager = delta

[interactive]
    diffFilter = delta --color-only

[delta]
    navigate = true
    light = false
    side-by-side = true
    line-numbers = true
    syntax-theme = Dracula

[merge]
    conflictstyle = diff3

[diff]
    colorMoved = default
```

Use with other tools:
```bash
git diff                              # Uses delta automatically
git show HEAD                         # Uses delta
rg --json pattern | delta             # Colorized ripgrep output
diff -u a.txt b.txt | delta           # Generic diff
```

## Intro

delta is a syntax-highlighting pager for git, diff, and grep output. Written in Rust by Dan Davison. Drop-in replacement for the default git pager that transforms ordinary diff output into beautiful side-by-side views with syntax highlighting, line numbers, and language-aware theming.

- **Repo**: https://github.com/dandavison/delta
- **Stars**: 30K+
- **Language**: Rust
- **License**: MIT

## What delta Does

- **Syntax highlighting** — 100+ languages via syntect
- **Side-by-side view** — optional two-column mode
- **Line numbers** — in diffs
- **File headers** — stylized, navigable
- **Navigation** — jump between files with `n` / `N`
- **Themes** — Sublime Text themes work
- **Merge conflicts** — 3-way diff highlight
- **Whitespace errors** — visible
- **git blame** — also prettified
- **Works with** — git, diff, rg, blame

## Architecture

Rust binary that reads diff/patch format on stdin and writes colorized output to stdout. Integrates with git via `core.pager = delta`. Syntax highlighting uses the syntect crate (Sublime .sublime-syntax compatible).

## Self-Hosting

CLI tool, git pager.

## Key Features

- Syntax highlighting for 100+ languages
- Side-by-side diff view
- Line numbers
- File navigation (n/N)
- Sublime theme compatibility
- Works with git diff/show/log/blame
- Integrates with rg, grep
- Dark and light modes
- Configurable via gitconfig

## Comparison

| Pager | Highlighting | Side-by-side | Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| delta | Yes | Yes | Rust |
| diff-so-fancy | Yes | No | Perl |
| diff-highlight (git) | Limited | No | Perl |
| bat + diff | Yes | No | Rust |
| less | No | No | C |

## 常见问题 FAQ

**Q: 和 diff-so-fancy？**
A: 功能类似。delta 速度更快（Rust）、支持 side-by-side、语法高亮更丰富。diff-so-fancy 更老牌、更简单。

**Q: side-by-side 看不清？**
A: 调整 `max-line-length` 和终端宽度。超宽的行会自动换行，窄终端建议关 side-by-side。

**Q: git log 也能用？**
A: 能。`git log -p` 会自动走 delta 的 pager。git blame 也有独立高亮。

## 来源与致谢 Sources

- Docs: https://dandavison.github.io/delta
- GitHub: https://github.com/dandavison/delta
- License: MIT

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Source: https://tokrepo.com/en/workflows/224cd8c0-35d4-11f1-9bc6-00163e2b0d79
Author: AI Open Source