cp - copy

cp - copy files and directories
Copy SOURCE to DEST, or multiple SOURCE(s) to DIRECTORY.

cp /path/to/source /path/to/dest

-a, --archive

  • same as -dR --preserve=all

--attributes-only

  • don't copy the file data, just the attributes

--backup[=CONTROL]

  • make a backup of each existing destination file

-b

  • like --backup but does not accept an argument

--copy-contents

  • copy contents of special files when recursive

-d

  • same as --no-dereference --preserve=links

-f, --force

  • if an existing destination file cannot be opened, remove it and try again (this option is ignored when the -n option is also used)

-i, --interactive

  • prompt before overwrite (overrides a previous -n option)

-H

  • follow command-line symbolic links in SOURCE

-l, --link

  • hard link files instead of copying

-L, --dereference

  • always follow symbolic links in SOURCE

-n, --no-clobber

  • do not overwrite an existing file (overrides a previous -i option)

-P, --no-dereference

  • never follow symbolic links in SOURCE

-p

  • same as --preserve=mode,ownership,timestamps

--preserve[=ATTR_LIST]

  • preserve the specified attributes (default: mode,ownership,timestamps), if possible additional attributes: context, links, xattr, all control clone/CoW copies. See below

--remove-destination

  • remove each existing destination file before attempting to open it (contrast with --force)

--sparse=WHEN

  • control creation of sparse files. See below

--strip-trailing-slashes

  • remove any trailing slashes from each SOURCE argument

-s, --symbolic-link

  • make symbolic links instead of copying

-S, --suffix=SUFFIX

  • override the usual backup suffix

-t, --target-directory=DIRECTORY

  • copy all SOURCE arguments into DIRECTORY

-T, --no-target-directory

  • treat DEST as a normal file

-u, --update

  • copy only when the SOURCE file is newer than the destination file or when the destination file is missing

-v, --verbose

  • explain what is being done

-x, --one-file-system

  • stay on this file system

-Z

  • set SELinux security context of destination file to default type

--context[=CTX]

  • like -Z, or if CTX is specified then set the SELinux or SMACK security context to CTX

--help

  • display this help and exit