When I run ls, I run it as ls -lAhog:

  • l says to put each file or folder on its own line
  • A says to list all files – hidden files, backups, etc. – but omit the current directory (.) and the parent directory (..)
  • h says to use human readable file sizes – 1.5G instead of 1628688384
  • g says to omit the user
  • o says to omit the group

Occasionally I use the -R parameter, which lists folders and subfolders recursively.