CHFLAGS(1) OpenBSD Reference Manual CHFLAGS(1)NAMEchflags - change file flags
SYNOPSISchflags [-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.)
-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 Recursively descend through any specified directory arguments.
Change the flags of the file hierarchies rooted in the files
instead of just the files themselves.
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
Symbolic links do not have flags, so unless the -H or -L option is set,
chflags on a symbolic link always succeeds and has no effect. 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
The chflags utility exits 0 on success, and >0 if an error occurs.
SEE ALSOls(1), chflags(2), stat(2), fts(3), securelevel(7), symlink(7), dump(8)HISTORY
The chflags command first appeared in 4.4BSD.
OpenBSD 4.9 September 3, 2010 OpenBSD 4.9
