# cp > Copy files and directories. > More information: . - Copy a file to another location: `cp {{path/to/source_file.ext}} {{path/to/target_file.ext}}` - Copy a file into another directory, keeping the filename: `cp {{path/to/source_file.ext}} {{path/to/target_parent_directory}}` - 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}}` - Copy a directory recursively, in verbose mode (shows files as they are copied): `cp -vR {{path/to/source_directory}} {{path/to/target_directory}}` - Copy text files to another location, in interactive mode (prompts user before overwriting): `cp -i {{*.txt}} {{path/to/target_directory}}` - Follow symbolic links before copying: `cp -L {{link}} {{path/to/target_directory}}`