Files and folders
The cp command
Copies files. For whole folders it needs -r.
Syntax
cp [-r] <origen> <destino>Most useful options
-rCopies folders and their content-iAsks before overwriting-uCopies only if the source is newerCopy-ready examples
$ cp Documentos/apuntes.txt notas.txtCopy a file$ cp -r Documentos copia-docsCopy a whole folderYou can try them in the browser terminal: it does not touch your computer.
Typical mistakes
- If the destination exists, it overwrites it without asking.
FAQ
Does it copy subfolders too?
Only with -r. Without it, it errors when it sees a folder.
Learn to actually use it
The basic Linux course takes you from zero to console fluency with 24 self-grading lessons.
Start the free course