$ Linux Command

Files

mv

Move or rename files and directories.

filesmoverenamedirectoriesoverwrite

Additional Notes

mv moves files and directories from one place to another. It is also the normal command for renaming files.

Moving within the same filesystem is usually fast because Linux only changes directory entries. Moving across filesystems may copy the data and then remove the original.

Syntax

mv [options] SOURCE DEST
mv [options] SOURCE... DIRECTORY

Parameters

  • SOURCE: File or directory to move or rename.
  • DEST: New name or destination directory.
  • Multiple sources: The last argument must be a directory.

Common Options

  • -i, --interactive: Ask before overwriting.
  • -v, --verbose: Show what is moved.
  • -n, --no-clobber: Do not overwrite existing files.
  • -f, --force: Overwrite without asking.
  • -u, --update: Move only when source is newer or destination is missing.
  • -b, --backup: Make a backup of overwritten files.

Examples

mv old-name.txt new-name.txt

Rename a file.

mv report.pdf ~/Documents/

Move a file into another directory.

mv -iv *.log logs/

Move log files with confirmation before overwriting.

mv project archived-project

Rename or move a directory.

mv -n config.conf /etc/example/

Move without replacing an existing destination.

Practical Notes

  • mv can overwrite files. Use -i while learning or during sensitive work.
  • Rename and move are the same command in Linux.
  • If a destination directory exists, the source moves inside it.
  • If the destination does not exist, the source is renamed to that path.
  • Use ls before and after important moves to confirm paths.