df tells you about your filesystems in cramped, unsorted columns that take a moment to parse every time. duf is the modern replacement: it presents the same information - devices, mount points, used and free space, filesystem types - as a clean, colorized table that groups local disks, network mounts, and special filesystems sensibly, so you understand your storage at a glance.
Storage, Made Legible
Just run it, or filter to what you care about:
# Show all your disks in a clean table
duf
# Only local and network filesystems
duf --only local,network
# Output as JSON for scripts
duf --json
Sensible Grouping and Sorting
duf separates the disks you care about from the noise of loop devices and system mounts, uses color to flag filesystems that are filling up, and lets you sort by usage or size. It's a small tool that makes a routine check pleasant instead of squint-inducing, and its JSON output means it works in scripts too.
Rough Edges and Limitations
- Overview, not deep-dive. It shows filesystem usage; for what's eating a directory, reach for dust.
- Cosmetic gains. The information is the same as df - it's the readability that improves.
- Another binary. One more tool to install on each machine.
For the quick "how full are my disks?" check, duf is the version you'll actually enjoy reading.
Internal link suggestion: link "what's eating a directory" to the dust post, its per-directory companion.