xzless(1) on Solnix vs Linux and the BSDs
xzless is the xz project's pager wrapper. It is not in the base Solnix system: install pkgs.solnix.xz to get it. The Solnix and Linux pages are the same program, with one wording difference about lzless being deprecated.
The manual pages
What Solnix runs
Not installed by default: add pkgs.solnix.xz. The bundle lists no other illumos variants of xzless.
Differences
| Compared with | Topic | What differs |
|---|---|---|
| Linux | same program | Solnix and Linux both ship the Tukaani xz project's xzless. The synopsis, description, environment variables (LESSMETACHARS, LESSOPEN) and SEE ALSO are the same on both pages. Source: Solnix xzless(1) DESCRIPTION, ENVIRONMENT; Linux xzless(1) DESCRIPTION, ENVIRONMENT |
| Linux | lzless deprecation | The Linux page (xz-5.8.4) marks lzless as DEPRECATED and says it will be removed in a future version. The Solnix page (dated 2024-02-12) says only that it exists for compatibility with LZMA Utils. Scripts should use xzless. Source: Linux xzless(1) SYNOPSIS, DESCRIPTION; Solnix xzless(1) SYNOPSIS, DESCRIPTION |
| Linux | page version | The Solnix page is dated 2024-02-12 and the Linux page 2025-03-06. The Solnix page does not carry the deprecation notice, so the packaged xz release may be older than the Linux one. The manual does not give version numbers for Solnix. Source: Solnix xzless(1) footer; Linux xzless(1) footer |
| FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD | no BSD counterpart in the bundle | The bundle has no FreeBSD, OpenBSD or NetBSD xzless page. The manual does not say whether those systems provide the command or how it behaves there. Source: Bundle header lists only a Linux counterpart |
| all four | pager choice | On both documented systems xzless always uses less(1). Unlike xzmore, no environment variable can change the pager. Neither page documents a PAGER setting for it. Source: Solnix xzless(1) DESCRIPTION; Linux xzless(1) DESCRIPTION |
Standards
- POSIX: xzless is not a POSIX.1-2024 utility.
- Solnix: The Solnix page has no STANDARDS section.
- Linux: The Linux page has no STANDARDS section.
Writing portable scripts
- Do not assume xzless exists on a default Solnix system. Check with command
-vxzless, and install pkgs.solnix.xz if it is missing. - Use xzless rather than lzless in scripts: the Linux page marks lzless as deprecated and due for removal.
Every difference here is taken from the manual pages linked above: Solnix's published page, Linux (man-pages and the GNU and util-linux manuals), FreeBSD, OpenBSD and NetBSD. Each row names its source. Where a manual is silent, this page is too. Compiled 2026-10-26. Found a mistake? Mail hackers@lists.solnix.io.