How to Copy, Move Files and Directories in Ubuntu

The cp command will copy files and directories or copy multiple sources to a destination directory and mv command will move or rename files or directories, or can move multiple sources to a destination directory.

Copy Files and Directories Ubuntu

cp [options] source destination

Multiple files and directories to destination directory

cp [options] source1 source2 [...] destination_directory

Common options used with the cp command

-a – archive, never follow symbolic links, preserve links, copy directories recursively
-f – if an existing destination file cannot be opened, remove it and try again
-i – prompt before overwriting an existing file
-r – copy directories recursively

Example

Copying a single file to a destination directory

cp file.txt /var/tmp/

Copying a directory and all contents

cp file-1.txt file-2.csv /var/tmp/

Copying multiple files to a destination directory

$ cp -r /etc/directory /var/tmp/directory/

Moving Files and Directories Ubuntu

mv [options] source destination

Multiple files and directories to destination directory

mv [options] source1 source2 [...] destination

Common options used with the mv command:
-f – do not prompt before overwriting
-i – prompt before overwrite
-u – move only when the source file is newer than the destination file or when the destination file is missing

Example

mv var/www/example/ /etc/example2