---
title: "difftastic"
category: "Developer tools"
tagline: "A diff tool that understands code syntax, so it shows what really changed."
source: "pacman"
package: "difftastic"
command: "difft"
website: "https://difftastic.wilfred.me.uk/"
code: "https://github.com/Wilfred/difftastic"
---

## What it is

difftastic compares files by their structure rather than line by line. It parses the code for dozens of languages, so a reformatted or re-indented block isn't shown as changed, and moved or wrapped code is matched up correctly. Results are shown side by side with syntax highlighting.

## Why it's here

- **Less noise.** Formatting changes don't hide the real ones.
- **Works with Git.** Use it as Git's diff tool for any command that shows a diff.

## On CoreDesktop

difftastic is installed from pacman as the `difft` command. CoreDesktop doesn't make it Git's default diff tool; to use it for one command:

```
GIT_EXTERNAL_DIFF=difft git diff
```

`update` keeps it current with the rest of the pacman packages.