cp: command not found

The cp command enables you to copy and then paste a file or directory. The initial object is left where it is, but an exact duplicate of that object is created at the destination you specify. When you copy directories, you must specify the -R option to copy the specified directory recursively.

Syntax

The syntax of the cp command is:

$ cp [options] {file/directory name to copy} {file/directory name destination}

For example, to copy the ~/myfiles directory and its contents to /opt/myfiles:

$ cp -R ~/myfiles /opt/myfiles

If you encounter below error while running the cp command:

cp: command not found

you may try installing the below package as per your choice of distribution:

cp Command Examples

1. Copy a file to another location:

$ cp path/to/source_file.ext path/to/target_file.ext

2. Copy a file into another directory, keeping the filename:

$ cp path/to/source_file.ext path/to/target_parent_directory

3. Recursively copy a directory’s contents to another location (if the destination exists, the directory is copied inside it):

$ cp -R path/to/source_directory path/to/target_directory

4. Copy a directory recursively, in verbose mode (shows files as they are copied):

$ cp -vR path/to/source_directory path/to/target_directory

5. Copy text files to another location, in interactive mode (prompts user before overwriting):

$ cp -i *.txt path/to/target_directory

6. Follow symbolic links before copying:

$ cp -L link path/to/target_directory

Conclusion

cp is the copy command included in the GNU coreutils package, which is installed by default on nearly every Linux distribution. cp is for simple copying. It may be all you need to maintain regular backups.