---
name: "exch"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "util-linux"
version: "2.42.4-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/exch"
---

# exch(1)

atomically exchanges paths between two files

## NAME

exch - atomically exchanges paths between two files

## SYNOPSIS

**exch** *oldpath* *newpath*

## DESCRIPTION

**exch** atomically exchanges oldpath and newpath. **exch** is a simple command wrapping **RENAME\_EXCHANGE** of **renameat2** system call.

## OPTIONS

- **-h**, **--help**

  Display help text and exit.

- **-V**, **--version**

  Display version and exit.

## EXIT STATUS

**exch** has the following exit status values:

**0**

success

**1**

unspecified failure

## AUTHORS

*Masatake YAMATO* \<yamato@redhat.com\>

## SEE ALSO

[**renameat2**(2)](/renameat2/2.md)

## REPORTING BUGS

For bug reports, use the *issue tracker* \<https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/issues\>.

## AVAILABILITY

The **exch** command is part of the util-linux package which can be downloaded from *Linux Kernel Archive* \<https://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/utils/util-linux/\>.