Video summary

How to make a tree structure in command prompt | Cool Command Prompt Tricks

Main summary

Key takeaways

Technology

Summary of technological concepts / command prompt features

The video demonstrates Windows Command Prompt “tree” command tricks to visualize directory structures and customize output.

1) Basic usage: show subfolders only

  • Command: tree
  • Function: Displays all subfolders within the current directory.
  • Example described: If the current directory contains folders like “1, 2, 3, 4”, the command shows them (and any subfolders that exist).

2) Include files in the output

  • Command: tree /f
  • Function: Shows both folders and files in the current directory.

3) Show hidden items (appearance change)

  • Command: tree /a
  • Function: Changes the visual/character style of the tree output (different “appearance” compared to the default).
  • Also mentioned:
    • tree /a /f or tree /f /a (order doesn’t matter)
    • These combine alternate formatting (for hidden/alternate items) with files.

4) Control repeated output / stop a live-running version

  • Command mentioned: tree \ (backslash after tree)
  • Behavior described: Performs the tree listing for the current drive (e.g., D: if you’re in D; C: if you’re in C).
  • Stop execution: Ctrl + C

5) Copy the output to clipboard / paste elsewhere

The video uses a pipe to redirect/capture tree output:

  • Command pattern: tree ... | <something>
  • Result: Copies all output so you can paste into Notepad (or another editor) to view/share the listing.
  • Example combinations include:
    • tree /a /f | ...
    • tree /f /a | ...

6) Built-in help for the command

  • Command: tree /?
  • Function: Displays help text / usage options for the tree command.

7) Comparison to DIR

The video compares tree to the DIR command:

  • DIR shows folder/file lists but is described as less visually nice
  • tree is presented as a clearer, more useful alternative for visualizing directory structure

Speakers / sources

  • Primary speaker: Unspecified individual creator (narrator of the YouTube video).
  • Source of information: The speaker’s command prompt demonstrations of the tree command (no external reviewer/channel source is named).

Original video