install(1) User Commands install(1)
NAME
install - copy files and set attributes
SYNOPSIS
install [OPTION]... [-T] SOURCE DEST
install [OPTION]... SOURCE... DIRECTORY
install [OPTION]... -t DIRECTORY SOURCE...
install [OPTION]... -d DIRECTORY...
DESCRIPTION
This install program copies files (often just compiled) into
destination locations you choose. If you want to download and install
a ready-to-use package on a GNU/Linux system, you should instead be
using a package manager like yum(1) or apt-get(1).
In the first three forms, copy SOURCE to DEST or multiple SOURCE(s) to
the existing DIRECTORY, while setting permission modes and owner/group.
In the 4th form, create all components of the given DIRECTORY(ies).
Mandatory arguments to long options are mandatory for short options
too.
--backup[=CONTROL]
make a backup of each existing destination file
-b like --backup but does not accept an argument
-c (ignored)
-C, --compare
compare content of source and destination files, and if no
change to content, ownership, and permissions, do not modify the
destination at all
-d, --directory
treat all arguments as directory names; create all components of
the specified directories
-D create all leading components of DEST except the last, or all
components of --target-directory, then copy SOURCE to DEST
--debug
explain how a file is copied. Implies -v
-g, --group=GROUP
set group ownership, instead of process' current group
-m, --mode=MODE
set permission mode (as in chmod), instead of rwxr-xr-x
-o, --owner=OWNER
set ownership (super-user only)
-p, --preserve-timestamps
apply access/modification times of SOURCE files to corresponding
destination files
-s, --strip
strip symbol tables
--strip-program=PROGRAM
program used to strip binaries
-S, --suffix=SUFFIX
override the usual backup suffix
-t, --target-directory=DIRECTORY
copy all SOURCE arguments into DIRECTORY
-T, --no-target-directory
treat DEST as a normal file
-v, --verbose
print the name of each created file or directory
--preserve-context
preserve SELinux security context
-Z set SELinux security context of destination file and each
created directory, to default type
--context[=CTX]
like -Z, or if CTX is specified then set the SELinux or SMACK
security context to CTX
--help display this help and exit
--version
output version information and exit
The backup suffix is '~', unless set with --suffix or
SIMPLE_BACKUP_SUFFIX. The version control method may be selected via
the --backup option or through the VERSION_CONTROL environment
variable. Here are the values:
none, off
never make backups (even if --backup is given)
numbered, t
make numbered backups
existing, nil
numbered if numbered backups exist, simple otherwise
simple, never
always make simple backups
AUTHOR
Written by David MacKenzie.
REPORTING BUGS
Report bugs to: bug-coreutils@gnu.org
GNU coreutils home page: <https://www.gnu.org/software/coreutils/>
General help using GNU software: <https://www.gnu.org/gethelp/>
Report any translation bugs to <https://translationproject.org/team/>
COPYRIGHT
Copyright © 2026 Free Software Foundation, Inc. License GPLv3+: GNU
GPL version 3 or later <https://gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html>.
This is free software: you are free to change and redistribute it.
There is NO WARRANTY, to the extent permitted by law.
SEE ALSO
cp(1)
Full documentation <https://www.gnu.org/software/coreutils/install>
or available locally via: info '(coreutils) install invocation'
GNU coreutils 9.10 March 2026 install(1)
coreutils 9.10 - Generated Thu Apr 2 14:17:31 CDT 2026