| --backup | 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 | set group ownership, instead of process' current group |
| -m--mode | set permission mode (as in chmod), instead of rwxr-xr-x |
| -o--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 used to strip binaries |
| -S--suffix | override the usual backup suffix |
| -t--target-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 | 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 |
| 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 |
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
GNU coreutils online help: <https://www.gnu.org/software/coreutils/> Report any translation bugs to <https://translationproject.org/team/>
SEE ALSO
cp(1)
Full documentation <https://www.gnu.org/software/coreutils/install> or available locally via: info '(coreutils) install invocation'
Packaged by Debian (9.7-3) Copyright © 2025 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.