A folder diff compares two directory structures and reveals exactly which files were added, removed, or unchanged between them. Useful for comparing project snapshots, deployment builds, backup directories, and release packages without needing to run diff commands locally.
Paste output from find . -type f | sort, tree, or ls -R
Paste the updated directory listing to compare against A
Directory Tree Comparison
How to Use the Folder Diff Tool
Comparing two versions of a directory structure is a common task in software development — comparing deployment builds, auditing backup completeness, or reviewing what changed between project snapshots. The folder diff tool makes this instant and visual without needing command-line tools.
Step 1: Get Your Directory Listings
Generate a file listing for each directory. On Linux or Mac, run find . -type f | sort or tree -f in each folder. On Windows, use dir /s /b in Command Prompt. Copy each output to your clipboard.
Step 2: Paste and Compare
Paste the first directory listing into the "Directory A" panel and the second into "Directory B". Click Compare Folders. The tool parses all path formats — slash-separated paths, backslash-separated Windows paths, and indented tree output.
Step 3: Explore the Results
Switch between Tree View and Flat List to explore your results. Tree View shows the nested folder structure with color-coded entries: green for added files, red for removed files, and gray for unchanged files. Flat List groups all changes by type, making it easy to quickly count what changed.
Copy the Diff Output
Click "Copy Diff" to copy the diff as plain text, suitable for pasting into issue trackers, deployment notes, or email summaries. The copied text includes all changes grouped by type.
Common Use Cases
The folder diff is useful for verifying that a deployment package contains all expected files, auditing what changed between two project versions, comparing the contents of a backup against the source, and reviewing what a script added or removed from a directory.
FAQ
Is the folder diff tool free?
Yes, completely free with no account required. All comparison happens locally in your browser — no files or directory data are sent to any server.
How do I get a directory listing to paste?
On Linux/Mac, run `find . -type f | sort` or `tree` in your terminal. On Windows, use `dir /s /b` in Command Prompt or `Get-ChildItem -Recurse | Select FullName` in PowerShell. Paste the output directly into either input panel.
What formats does the folder diff tool accept?
The tool accepts any path-based listing: one path per line (e.g., from `find` or `ls -R`), `tree` command output with indentation, or slash-separated relative paths. It parses paths into a nested tree for comparison.
What does the color coding mean?
Green entries are files or folders found only in Directory B (added). Red entries are found only in Directory A (removed). Gray entries appear in both directories (unchanged). The file tree shows the complete structure with changes highlighted.
Can I compare folders with thousands of files?
Yes, the comparison runs entirely in JavaScript and handles large listings well. For very large directories (10,000+ files), the initial render may take a moment, but there are no artificial limits.
What is the difference between the tree view and the flat list view?
The tree view shows your directory structure with nested folders and files, mirroring how it looks in a file explorer. The flat list view sorts all changes into three groups: added, removed, and unchanged — making it easier to scan for specific files.