Setup & Installation
Or with the ClawHub CLI, for registry-managed skill folders outside a full OpenClaw workspace:
What This Skill Does
bat is a command-line file viewer that replaces cat with syntax highlighting, line numbers, and Git change markers. It auto-detects file types, supports themes, and can display specific line ranges. Works as a drop-in cat replacement or as a terminal pager.
Unlike cat, bat adds syntax highlighting, Git change indicators, and line numbers by default, making files readable in the terminal without opening an editor.
When to use it
- Inspecting a config file before editing it
- Reading log files with colored syntax output
- Viewing a specific function's lines by range in a source file
- Previewing files inside fzf with syntax highlighting
- Checking Git modifications while viewing a file
Example Workflow
Here's how your AI assistant might use this skill in practice.
User asks: show me lines 45-67 of script.py with Git changes visible
- 1Run bat with -r 45:67 to select the line range
- 2Add --diff flag to show Git modification markers
- 3bat auto-detects Python syntax from the file extension
- 4Terminal renders the output with highlighting and change markers
Lines 45-67 of script.py displayed with Python syntax highlighting and Git change indicators marking added and modified lines