cp

Copies files or directories. Creates an exact copy of the source file at the destination.

Ubuntu CentOS Debian Arch SUSE Slackware Fedora

Verified: 2025-09-09

Syntax

$cp [OPTIONS] SOURCE DEST

Optionen

-r, --recursive Copy directories recursively

-i, --interactive Ask before overwriting

-v, --verbose Show copied files

-p, --preserve Preserve permissions and timestamps

-a, --archive Like -p plus recursive and preserve links

-f, --force Overwrite without prompt

-u, --update Copy only newer files

Examples

$cp file.txt file_copy.txt

$cp -r folder/ new_folder/

$cp -i important_file.txt backup.txt

$cp -v *.txt /backup/

$cp -p file.txt copy.txt