Shake review
A free, open-source command-line tool for defragmenting files while Linux is running.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Shake is a free, open-source command-line defragmenter for GNU/Linux. It is intended for Linux users who need to rewrite fragmented files from userspace without applying kernel patches. The tool can operate while the GNU/Linux system is in use, making it suited to file-level defragmentation within an active environment. Its project dates to 2008, and installation is documented through Linux distribution packages or from source.
Its strongest feature is the combination of inspection and selective processing. Pretend and verbose modes can inspect fragmentation, while heuristics consider file size, age, relationships between access times, and fragment counts. Shake can process directories directly or accept piped file lists, giving command-line users several ways to define the work. Extended-attribute support also enables incremental operation, which fits workflows that need to track processing across multiple runs. These controls make the tool more focused than a general disk utility, but they also place responsibility on the user to choose targets and invoke the appropriate options.
Shake is a good fit for Linux administrators and technically comfortable users who want an open-source, userspace approach to file defragmentation. Its Linux-only scope and command-line model make it less suitable for people seeking a graphical interface, cross-platform coverage, or a broader disk-management suite. Choose Shake when file rewriting, inspection, directory handling, and heuristic control are the priority; choose another type of utility when the requirement extends beyond GNU/Linux file defragmentation.
Shake pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Runs in userspace without kernel patching
- Processes directories and piped file lists
- Supports inspection, heuristics, and extended attributes
- Where it doesn't
- Linux-only platform focus
- Requires command-line installation and operation
- Focused on file defragmentation rather than broader disk management
Shake fact sheet, pricing and score →
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