---
name: "install"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "coreutils"
version: "9.12-2"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux", "freebsd", "openbsd", "macos"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/install"
---

# install(1)

copy files and set attributes

## 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\>.\
 Report any translation bugs to: \<https://translationproject.org/team/\>.\
 GNU coreutils home page: \<https://www.gnu.org/software/coreutils/\>\
 General help using GNU software: \<https://www.gnu.org/gethelp/\>

## 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)](/cp/1.md)

Full documentation \<https://www.gnu.org/software/coreutils/install\>\
 or available locally via: info '(coreutils) install invocation'