# meld > Graphical diffing and merging tool. > More information: . - Start `meld`: `meld` - Compare 2 files: `meld {{path/to/file_1}} {{path/to/file_2}}` - Compare 2 directories: `meld {{path/to/directory_1}} {{path/to/directory_2}}` - Compare 3 files: `meld {{path/to/file_1}} {{path/to/file_2}} {{path/to/file_3}}` - Open a comparison as a new tab in a pre-existing meld instance: `meld --newtab {{path/to/file_1}} {{path/to/file_2}}` - Compare multiple sets of files: `meld --diff {{path/to/file_1}} {{path/to/file_2}} --diff {{path/to/file_3}} {{path/to/file_4}}`