chflags

CHFLAGS(1)                 OpenBSD Reference Manual                 CHFLAGS(1)

NAME

     chflags - change file flags

SYNOPSIS

     chflags [-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 ALSO

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

HISTORY

     The chflags command first appeared in 4.4BSD.

OpenBSD 5.1                    September 3, 2010                   OpenBSD 5.1