Linux commands: cp

You can copy a file using the cp command:

touch apple
cp apple another_apple

cp -i asks before overwriting an existing file.

To copy folders you need to add the -r option to recursively copy the whole folder contents. -R is the POSIX spelling. -r works on Linux and macOS:

mkdir fruits
cp -r fruits cars

Without -r, cp refuses a folder:

mkdir fruits
cp fruits cars

cp: -r not specified; omitting directory 'fruits'

Where the copy lands

If the last argument is an existing folder, the file is copied into it:

touch apple
mkdir fruits
cp apple fruits

You now have apple and fruits/apple. The original stays where it is.

If fruits does not exist, cp apple fruits creates a file named fruits. That is the usual surprise when you typo the folder name.

Overwriting

cp overwrites the destination file without asking. cp -i asks first. cp -n skips the copy when the destination exists.

cp does not keep timestamps or permissions by default. Use cp -p to keep them, or cp -a (archive) when you copy a folder and want a real duplicate.

To move or rename a file instead of copying it, use mv.

This command works on Linux, macOS, WSL, and anywhere you have a UNIX environment

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