systemd-delta

Find overridden configuration files

TLDR

Show all overridden configuration files

$ systemd-delta

Show only specific types

Show overrides in specific directory

$ systemd-delta [/etc|/run|/usr/lib]

Show overrides for specific category

$ systemd-delta [tmpfiles.d|sysctl.d|systemd/system]

SYNOPSIS

systemd-delta [OPTIONS] [PREFIX|PREFIX/SUFFIX|SUFFIX...]

systemd-delta identifies and compares configuration files that override other configuration files. It helps understand configuration precedence across system directories.The priority hierarchy places `/etc/` highest, `/run/` second, and `/usr/lib/` lowest. Files can be overridden by placing identically-named files in higher-priority directories. Drop-in directories with `.d` suffix can extend configuration files.

PARAMETERS

-t, --type= TYPE

Filter by difference type (masked, equivalent, redirected, overridden, extended, unchanged)

--diff= BOOL

Toggle diff display for modified files (default: true)

--no-pager

Suppress pagination of output

-h, --help

Display help

DIFFERENCE TYPES

masked - Files in higher-priority locations completely hide lower ones (symlink to /dev/null)equivalent - Identical content in multiple locationsredirected - Symlink pointing elsewhereoverridden - File in higher-priority location replaces lower oneextended - Drop-in files augment the originalunchanged - No overrides present

INSTALL

sudo apt install systemd

sudo dnf install systemd

sudo pacman -S systemd

sudo zypper install systemd

brew install systemd

nix profile install nixpkgs#systemd

CAVEATS

Only shows differences for systemd-managed configuration types (unit files, tmpfiles.d, sysctl.d, etc.). Does not analyze arbitrary configuration files. The diff output can be verbose for heavily customized systems.

HISTORY

systemd-delta is part of the systemd project. It addresses the common administrative challenge of understanding which configuration files are in effect when multiple sources provide overlapping configuration.