Bat v0.26.0 Release: Windows ARM64 Support and Enhanced Paging Features

Bat v0.26.0 release adds Windows ARM64 support, enhances paging for theme browsing with --list-themes, and fixes bugs for UTF-8 BOM detection and multibyte file paths, improving command line tool performance.

Bat command line tool interface showing syntax highlighting and new Windows ARM64 support

Tech News2 min read

Introduction

The latest Bat v0.26.0 release brings significant improvements for developers working with modern hardware and command line workflows. This update expands platform compatibility while enhancing user experience through better paging functionality and crucial bug fixes.

Windows ARM64 Platform Support

Bat now officially supports Windows ARM64 systems, making it accessible to developers using modern ARM-based devices like Surface Pro X and other Windows on ARM machines. This expansion ensures that one of the most popular CLI tools keeps pace with evolving hardware architectures.

Enhanced Paging Features

The --list-themes command now includes built-in paging functionality, allowing users to browse through available themes more efficiently. Additionally, Bat introduces a native 'minus' pager option, providing smoother navigation through large outputs without requiring external paging tools.

Bug Fixes and Stability Improvements

Version 0.26.0 addresses several critical issues, including improved UTF-8 BOM syntax detection for better file compatibility. The update also enhances theme environment variable support and resolves stability problems when handling multibyte file paths, making it more reliable for international users.

Pros and Cons

Advantages

Native Windows ARM64 support expands user base
Built-in paging improves theme browsing experience
Enhanced UTF-8 BOM detection for better compatibility
Improved stability with multibyte file paths
Better theme environment variable handling
Minus pager provides smoother output navigation

Disadvantages

ARM64 support limited to Windows platform only
Paging features may require user adaptation
Some older plugins might need updates

Conclusion

Bat v0.26.0 represents a meaningful step forward for this essential developer utility, particularly for teams adopting ARM64 hardware. The combination of expanded platform support, enhanced paging capabilities, and critical bug fixes makes this release valuable for maintaining efficient command line workflows across diverse development environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What platforms does Bat v0.26.0 support?

Bat v0.26.0 adds official Windows ARM64 support alongside existing platforms, expanding compatibility for modern ARM-based Windows devices while maintaining all previous platform support.

What paging improvements are included in this release?

The update adds paging to --list-themes command for easier theme browsing and introduces a built-in 'minus' pager option for smoother navigation through command output without external tools.

What is Bat and its primary function?

Bat is a command-line tool that provides syntax highlighting for code and file viewing, enhancing readability and usability in terminal environments for developers.

How to update Bat to version 0.26.0?

You can update Bat using package managers like cargo for Rust, or download the latest release directly from the official GitHub repository to ensure you have the newest features.

What are the key stability improvements in Bat v0.26.0?

Key stability improvements include better UTF-8 BOM detection, enhanced theme environment variable support, and resolved issues with multibyte file paths for increased reliability.