---
title: cp
categories: |
  filesystem
version: 0.104.0
filesystem: |
  Copy files using uutils/coreutils cp.
usage: |
  Copy files using uutils/coreutils cp.
editLink: false
contributors: false
---
<!-- This file is automatically generated. Please edit the command in https://github.com/nushell/nushell instead. -->

# `cp` for [filesystem](/commands/categories/filesystem.md)

<div class='command-title'>Copy files using uutils&#x2f;coreutils cp.</div>

## Signature

```> cp {flags} ...rest```

## Flags

 -  `--recursive, -r`: copy directories recursively
 -  `--verbose, -v`: explicitly state what is being done
 -  `--force, -f`: if an existing destination file cannot be opened, remove it and try
                    again (this option is ignored when the -n option is also used).
                    currently not implemented for windows
 -  `--interactive, -i`: ask before overwriting files
 -  `--update, -u`: copy only when the SOURCE file is newer than the destination file or when the destination file is missing
 -  `--progress, -p`: display a progress bar
 -  `--no-clobber, -n`: do not overwrite an existing file
 -  `--preserve {list<string>}`: preserve only the specified attributes (empty list means no attributes preserved)
                    if not specified only mode is preserved
                    possible values: mode, ownership (unix only), timestamps, context, link, links, xattr
 -  `--debug`: explain how a file is copied. Implies -v

## Parameters

 -  `...rest`: Copy SRC file/s to DEST.


## Input/output types:

| input   | output  |
| ------- | ------- |
| nothing | nothing |
## Examples

Copy myfile to dir_b
```nu
> cp myfile dir_b

```

Recursively copy dir_a to dir_b
```nu
> cp -r dir_a dir_b

```

Recursively copy dir_a to dir_b, and print the feedbacks
```nu
> cp -r -v dir_a dir_b

```

Move many files into a directory
```nu
> cp *.txt dir_a

```

Copy only if source file is newer than target file
```nu
> cp -u myfile newfile

```

Copy file preserving mode and timestamps attributes
```nu
> cp --preserve [ mode timestamps ] myfile newfile

```

Copy file erasing all attributes
```nu
> cp --preserve [] myfile newfile

```

Copy file to a directory three levels above its current location
```nu
> cp myfile ....

```