CHFLAGS(1)

NAME
chflags - change file flags

SYNOPSIS
chflags [-h] [ -R [-H | -L | -P]] flags file ...

DESCRIPTION
The chflags utility modifies the file flags of the listed files as specified by the flags operand. The flags of a file dictate special restrictions beyond those enforced by its mode/permissions. Only the superuser can change the user flags on block and character devices.

You can use ls -lo to see the flags of existing files.

The options are as follows:

-H  If the -R option is also specified, symbolic links on the command line are followed. Symbolic links encountered in the tree traversal are not followed.

-h  Treat symbolic links like other files: modify links instead of following them. The -h and -R options are mutually exclusive.

-L  If the -R option is also specified, all symbolic links are followed.

-P  If the -R option is also specified, no symbolic links are followed.

-R  Recurse. Where file is a directory, change the flags of the directory and all the files and directories in the file hierarchy below it.

Flags are a comma separated list of keywords. The following keywords are currently defined:

arch
    set the archived flag (superuser only)
nodump
    set the nodump flag (owner or superuser only)
sappnd
    set the system append-only flag (superuser only)
schg
    set the system immutable flag (superuser only)
uappnd
    set the user append-only flag (owner or superuser only)
uchg
    set the user immutable flag (owner or superuser only)

The arch flag is for compatibility only, and currently has no effect.

A file with the nodump flag set will by default only be backed up by dump(8) during full backups. The -h option of dump(8) can be used to alter this.

An immutable file may not be changed, moved, or deleted. An append-only file is immutable except that data may be appended to it.

The superuser-settable sappnd and schg flags can be set at any time, but may only be cleared when the system is running at security level 0 or -1 (insecure or permanently insecure mode, respectively). For more information on setting the system security level, see securelevel(7).

Putting the letters no before a flag name causes the flag to be turned off. For example:

nouchg
    the immutable bit should be cleared

The -H, -L, and -P options are ignored unless the -R option is specified. In addition, these options override each other and the command's actions are determined by the last one specified.

EXIT STATUS

SEE ALSO
ls(1), chflags(2), stat(2), fts(3), securelevel(7), symlink(7), dump(8)

HISTORY
The chflags command first appeared in 4.4BSD.