# Follow Log Files With Less


When you're working with a development server or a system log, you may want to watch the log for changes and see them streamed to your terminal window.

The `tail -f` command reads and follows a file, printing new lines to the screen. It's somewhat limited though, because you have to rely on your terminal buffer to scroll up and see changes you may have missed.

The `less` command can also follow a file for changes.

```command
less +F /var/log/system.log
```

The output displays the log:

```output
May 17 13:42:53 Chimaera syslogd[327]: ASL Sender Statistics
May 17 14:01:55 Chimaera syslogd[327]: ASL Sender Statistics
Waiting for data... (^X or interrupt to abort)
```

While following the log, you won't be able to scroll or navigate. Press `CTRL+C` or `CTRL+X` to stop following so you can navigate through the log's contents.

Press `SHIFT+F` to resume following the log again.

To exit, press `CTRL+C` to stop following the log, and then press `q` to quit.