LINUX COMMAND ATLAS · COMMAND GUIDE

Linux cp command

Copy files. Add -r when copying a directory and its contents.

GNU Coreutils

Syntax

Command form

cp [OPTION]... SOURCE... DESTINATION

7 options

Option	What it does
`-a, --archive`	Preserve attributes and copy recursively; equivalent to -dR --preserve=all.
`-r, -R, --recursive`	Copy directories recursively.
`-i, --interactive`	Prompt before overwriting a destination.
`-n, --no-clobber`	Do not overwrite an existing destination.
`-u, --update`	Copy when the source is newer or destination is missing.
`-p, --preserve=mode,ownership,timestamps`	Preserve selected file attributes.
`-v, --verbose`	Explain what is being copied.

3 examples

Copy files. Add -r when copying a directory and its contents.

cp -r ./assets ./backup/assets

Copy a file and ask before overwriting.

cp -i report.txt ./archive/

Copy a directory tree while preserving attributes.

cp -a project/ backup/project/

Use -i or -n when overwriting could lose data. GNU and BSD cp have some option differences.