btrfs-version

Display help

$ btrfs [[v|version]] --help

$ btrfs [[v|version]]

btrfs version

The btrfs version command (often referenced as part of the btrfs-progs suite) outputs the version details of the BTRFS userspace utilities. BTRFS is a advanced Linux filesystem with copy-on-write semantics, supporting snapshots, subvolumes, compression, quotas, RAID levels, and checksumming for data integrity.

This utility is crucial for administrators managing BTRFS filesystems. It reports the exact btrfs-progs release, compatible kernel versions, build date, and compiler flags. This information aids in diagnosing issues, confirming tool-kernel compatibility, and verifying updates from repositories like those maintained by the BTRFS project.

Typically invoked standalone, it provides concise output for scripting or quick checks. For example, it helps ensure tools match kernel modules before operations like mkfs.btrfs or filesystem repairs. Regular use is recommended during upgrades to avoid version mismatches that could lead to errors.

$ btrfs version
Btrfs v6.7
See https://btrfs.readthedocs.io for release information.
libbtrfsutil v6.7
compiled with libzstd 1.5.4, libuuid none, libmdraid none
See the btrfs wiki for details.
Node size: 4096
Leaf size: 4096
Metadata: UUID tree
Global: UUID tree

Also accessible via btrfs --version for global option compatibility. Always run before major filesystem operations.

Developed alongside BTRFS kernel code initiated in 2007 by Chris Mason at Oracle, btrfs-progs (including the version subcommand) first appeared in 2009. It evolved with kernel integration, reaching stable status in Linux 2.6.37 (2011). Modern versions (e.g., v6.x) support ongoing features like zoned storage and enhanced send/receive.

btrfs(8), mkfs.btrfs(8), btrfstune(8), btrfs-check(8)