> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://notes.kodekloud.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create Delete Copy and Move Files and Directories

> Learn to manage files and directories in Linux using commands like ls, touch, mkdir, cp, mv, and rm.

Managing files and directories is a foundational skill for any Linux user or administrator. In this guide, you’ll learn how to list, create, copy, move (or rename), and delete files and directories using core commands like `ls`, `touch`, `mkdir`, `cp`, `mv`, and `rm`.

## Listing Files and Directories with `ls`

The `ls` (list) command displays directory contents. By default, hidden files (those beginning with `.`) are not shown.

### Common `ls` Usage

| Flag   | Description                              | Example          |
| ------ | ---------------------------------------- | ---------------- |
| (none) | Show non-hidden items                    | `ls`             |
| `-a`   | Include all entries, including `.` files | `ls -a`          |
| `-l`   | Long format (permissions, owner, size)   | `ls -l /var/log` |
| `-h`   | Human-readable sizes (use with `-l`)     | `ls -lh`         |
| `-alh` | Combine all flags                        | `ls -alh`        |

#### Basic Listing

```bash theme={null}
$ ls
Desktop  Documents  Downloads  Music  Pictures  Videos
```

#### Including Hidden Files

```bash theme={null}
$ ls -a
.   ..   .bashrc   .ssh   Desktop   Documents   Downloads   Music   Pictures   Videos
```

#### Detailed, Human-Readable Output

```bash theme={null}
$ ls -alh
total 76K
drwx------. 16 aaron aaron 4.0K Nov  1 17:57 .
drwxr-xr-x.  7 root  root  4.0K Oct 26 16:54 ..
-rw-------   1 aaron aaron 5.0K Nov  1 17:56 .bash_history
...
```

## Understanding the Linux File System Tree

Linux files and directories form an inverted tree with `/` as the root. Every path you use is either absolute (from `/`) or relative (from your current directory).

* `/`
  * `/home`
    * `/home/aaron`
      * `/home/aaron/Documents`
      * `/home/aaron/Downloads`
  * `/var`
  * `/etc`

<Callout icon="lightbulb" color="#1CB2FE">
  Absolute paths start with `/` and always refer to the same location.\
  Relative paths begin from your current directory (check with `pwd`).
</Callout>

### Absolute Path

```text theme={null}
/home/aaron/Documents/invoice.pdf
```

### Relative Path

```bash theme={null}
$ pwd
/home/aaron

# From /home/aaron, this goes to invoice.pdf inside Documents
$ cd Documents
$ ls invoice.pdf
```

To move up one level:

```bash theme={null}
$ cd ..
```

Jump to your home directory:

```bash theme={null}
$ cd
$ pwd
/home/aaron
```

<Frame>
  ![The image shows a directory structure with a command line interface on the left. The directory tree includes folders like "home," "var," and "root," with a file named "Invoice.pdf" under "aaron/Documents."](https://kodekloud.com/kk-media/image/upload/v1752881468/notes-assets/images/Linux-System-Administration-for-Beginners-Create-Delete-Copy-and-Move-Files-and-Directories/directory-structure-command-line-invoice.jpg)
</Frame>

## Creating Files and Directories

* Create an empty file:
  ```bash theme={null}
  $ touch receipt.pdf
  ```
* Create a directory:
  ```bash theme={null}
  $ mkdir receipts
  ```

Both commands accept absolute or relative paths:

```bash theme={null}
$ mkdir /home/aaron/new_folder
```

## Copying Files and Directories with `cp`

Use `cp` to duplicate files and directories.

### Copying a Single File

```bash theme={null}
$ cp receipt.pdf receipts/
```

To copy and rename at the same time:

```bash theme={null}
$ cp receipt.pdf receipts/receipt_backup.pdf
```

<Frame>
  ![The image shows a file directory structure with a command line interface on the left. The directory path includes folders named "home," "aaron," and "Receipts," leading to a file named "Receipt.pdf."](https://kodekloud.com/kk-media/image/upload/v1752881469/notes-assets/images/Linux-System-Administration-for-Beginners-Create-Delete-Copy-and-Move-Files-and-Directories/file-directory-structure-command-line.jpg)
</Frame>

### Copying Directories Recursively

```bash theme={null}
$ cp -r Receipts/ BackupOfReceipts/
```

This duplicates the entire `Receipts` folder and its contents into `BackupOfReceipts`. Ensure the destination name does not already exist to avoid nesting.

## Moving and Renaming with `mv`

The `mv` command handles both moving and renaming:

* Move a file:
  ```bash theme={null}
  $ mv receipt.pdf receipts/
  ```
* Rename a file:
  ```bash theme={null}
  $ mv receipt.pdf old_receipt.pdf
  ```
* Rename or move a directory:
  ```bash theme={null}
  $ mv receipts/ old_receipts/
  ```

No recursive flag is needed for directories; `mv` automatically moves contents.

## Deleting Files and Directories with `rm`

Use caution when removing files and directories:

* Remove a file:
  ```bash theme={null}
  $ rm invoice.pdf
  ```
* Remove a non-empty directory:
  ```bash theme={null}
  $ rm -r invoices/
  ```

<Callout icon="triangle-alert" color="#FF6B6B">
  The `rm -r` command permanently deletes directories and their contents. Always double-check the path before pressing Enter!
</Callout>

***

## References

* [Linux Man Pages](https://www.kernel.org/doc/man-pages/)
* [GNU coreutils Documentation](https://www.gnu.org/software/coreutils/)
* [Introduction to Linux File System](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_system#Unix_and_Unix-like_systems)

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