cp

Additional Notes

cp copies files and directories. It creates a new copy at the destination while leaving the original source in place.

It is simple, but mistakes can overwrite files. Use interactive or verbose mode when learning or when working with important data.

Syntax

cp [options] SOURCE DEST
cp [options] SOURCE... DIRECTORY

Parameters

• SOURCE: File or directory to copy.
• DEST: New file path or target directory.
• Multiple sources: The last argument must be a directory.

Common Options

• -r, -R, --recursive: Copy directories recursively.
• -i, --interactive: Ask before overwriting.
• -v, --verbose: Show what is copied.
• -a, --archive: Preserve permissions, ownership, timestamps, links, and copy recursively.
• -p, --preserve: Preserve mode, ownership, and timestamps when possible.
• -u, --update: Copy only when the source is newer or destination is missing.
• -n, --no-clobber: Do not overwrite existing files.
• -f, --force: Remove destination if needed before copying.
• -L: Follow symbolic links and copy the target.
• -P: Do not follow symbolic links; copy the link itself.

Examples

cp notes.txt backup.txt

Copy one file to a new file.

cp notes.txt ~/Documents/

Copy a file into another directory.

cp -iv config.conf config.conf.bak

Copy with overwrite prompt and visible output.

cp -r site public-site

Copy a directory recursively.

cp -a /etc/nginx ./nginx-backup

Archive-copy a directory while preserving metadata.

cp -u *.jpg ~/Pictures/

Copy only newer or missing JPG files.

Practical Notes

• Use cp -i when you are unsure about overwriting.
• Use cp -a for backups because it preserves more metadata.
• To copy a directory, you usually need -r or -a.
• Be careful with destination paths. cp file dir/ and cp file dir behave differently if dir does not exist.
• For remote copies, use scp, rsync, or sftp.