ark

Extract a specific archive into the current directory

$ ark [[-b|--batch]] [path/to/archive]

$ ark [[-b|--batch]] [[-o|--destination]] [path/to/directory] [path/to/archive]

$ ark [[-t|--add-to]] [path/to/archive] [path/to/file1 path/to/file2 ...]

ark [Qt/KDE options] [--embed | --list | --temporary] [service:]archive [service:]archive ...

--help
    Display help message

--help-all
    Show all options including Qt/KDE

--help-qt
    Qt-specific help

--help-kde
    KDE-specific help

--author
    Show author information

--version
    Display version

--license
    Show license details

--embed
    Embed Ark into another application

--temporary
    Do not save window settings

--list
    List archive contents (experimental)

Ark is a versatile graphical tool for KDE Plasma that allows users to handle various archive formats effortlessly. It supports creating, extracting, browsing, testing, and converting archives including tar, gzip, bzip2, xz, zip, RAR, 7z, and many others through KDE's KIO framework.

With an intuitive interface, Ark enables drag-and-drop operations, previewing file contents, multi-volume archive support, and integration with Dolphin file manager. Users can add passwords, comments, and repair damaged archives. It leverages backend tools like tar, unzip, and 7z for operations.

Ideal for Plasma users, Ark provides context menu integration for quick archive actions. While primarily GUI-driven, it can be invoked from command line to open specific archives or embed in other applications.

Ark emphasizes user-friendliness, making complex archive tasks accessible without terminal commands.

Primarily GUI-focused; limited CLI functionality. Requires KDE Frameworks and backend tools like 7z, unzip. Not ideal for headless servers.

ark archive.zip
Opens the ZIP archive in Ark.

ark --embed tar:/path/to/file.tar.gz
Embeds the tar.gz archive.

Over 30 formats via plugins: ZIP, TAR(.gz/.bz2/.xz), RAR, 7Z, ISO, LHA, ARJ, etc. See Ark settings for full list.

Developed for KDE 2.0 (2000) by the KDE team. Evolved with Plasma releases, integrating KArchive library for better format support. Actively maintained in KDE Gear.

tar(1), unzip(1), 7z(1), dolphin(1), kio(7)