LINUX COMMAND ATLAS · COMMAND GUIDE

Linux mv command

Move or rename files and directories.

GNU Coreutils

Syntax

Command form

mv [OPTION]... SOURCE... DESTINATION

6 options

Option	What it does
`-i, --interactive`	Prompt before overwriting a destination.
`-n, --no-clobber`	Do not overwrite an existing destination.
`-f, --force`	Do not prompt before overwriting.
`-u, --update`	Move only when the source is newer or destination is missing.
`-t, --target-directory=DIR`	Move all sources into DIR.
`-v, --verbose`	Explain what is being moved.

3 examples

Move or rename files and directories.

mv draft.txt notes.txt

Move a file and prompt if the destination exists.

mv -i draft.txt ./archive/

Rename a file in the same directory.

mv old-name.txt new-name.txt

A move across filesystems may behave like copy followed by delete; check the destination and backups before replacing files.