GNU Emacs Manual - Subdirectories in Dired

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## Subdirectories in Dired

A Dired buffer displays just one directory in the normal case; but you can optionally include its subdirectories as well.

The simplest way to include multiple directories in one Dired buffer is to specify the options ``-lR'` for running `ls`. (If you give a numeric argument when you run Dired, then you can specify these options in the minibuffer.) That produces a recursive directory listing showing all subdirectories at all levels.

But usually all the subdirectories are too many; usually you will prefer to include specific subdirectories only. You can do this with the `i` command:

`i`
  Insert the contents of a subdirectory later in the buffer.

Use the `i` (`dired-maybe-insert-subdir`) command on a line that describes a file which is a directory. It inserts the contents of that directory into the same Dired buffer, and moves there. Inserted subdirectory contents follow the top-level directory of the Dired buffer, just as they do in ``ls -lR'` output.

If the subdirectory's contents are already present in the buffer, the `i` command just moves to it.

In either case, `i` sets the Emacs mark before moving, so `C-u C-`SPC`` takes you back to the old position in the buffer (the line describing that subdirectory).

Use the `l` command (`dired-do-redisplay`) to update the subdirectory's contents. Use `k` to delete the subdirectory. See section Updating the Dired Buffer.

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