# Linux commands: cp

> Learn how the Linux cp command copies files from one place to another, and how the -r recursive option lets you copy entire folders and their contents.

Author: [Flavio Copes](https://flaviocopes.com/about/) | Published: 2020-08-30 | Topics: [CLI](https://flaviocopes.com/tags/cli/) | Canonical: https://flaviocopes.com/linux-command-cp/

You can copy a file using the `cp` command:

```bash
touch test
cp apple another_apple
```

To copy folders you need to add the `-r` option to recursively copy the whole folder contents:

```bash
mkdir fruits
cp -r fruits cars
```

> This command works on Linux, macOS, WSL, and anywhere you have a UNIX environment