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Linux Filesystem Cheat Sheet/Copy directory recursively with preserved metadata

Copy directory trees while preserving timestamps and mode when possible.

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Section: Copy, Move, Rename

Copy directory recursively with preserved metadata

bash
bash
cp -a source-dir target-dir

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Prompt before overwriting an existing file.
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Move a directory to a new location.
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Rename file
Rename a file or move it within the same filesystem.
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Install file with mode
Copy a file and set destination permissions in one step.
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Create a directory path including missing parents.
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Delete a directory only if it is empty.
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