I'm trying to find a program for Ubuntu that can take snapshots of a specific folder's file structure and save them to disk. I only want to save the names of the files and the folder structure, not the actual files. The common `tree` command just outputs text and isn't easy to navigate, so I'm looking for something more user-friendly—like a file explorer with collapsible folders where I can save the current state. Any suggestions?
4 Answers
Can you clarify what you mean by 'navigate'? Are you looking for a user interface that displays saved folders like a file manager would? That might help pinpoint what software fits your needs.
I use FreeFileSync—it’s a solid choice. It's user-friendly and lets you back up to an external drive while maintaining the directory structure. When you mention snapshots, that makes me think of Timeshift, which is more for system backups. It’s cool but more complex. FreeFileSync might be easier for your needs, though!
Can FreeFileSync only save the structure without the files? That's what I'm really looking for.
Have you considered that what you're asking about is essentially a file manager application? Navigating a file structure isn't just about having data saved; it usually requires a program to browse it. You might be looking for a database solution or app rather than a straightforward file output.
Did you read my post? I'm specifically looking for software that can create and display snapshots of a folder's structure, not just regular files!
Have you thought about using symlinks? You can use the `cp` command to create a cloned directory where all the files are just symlinks to the originals. Just run `cp -rs /full/path/to/source-dir ./dest-dir`. This way, as long as the original files are there, you'll keep the folder structure intact. You can browse the cloned directory like normal with any file manager.
That seems to be the best solution so far, thank you! I thought there would be a dedicated program for this, but saving just the structure seems pretty niche.
Yes, I want something that shows the saved folders in a collapsed view, allowing me to navigate like a normal file manager. I just need a simple snapshot of the current file tree so I can reference file names and structures later, especially if I need to restore them.