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

# pathchk(1)

check whether file names are valid or portable

## NAME

pathchk - check whether file names are valid or portable

## SYNOPSIS

**pathchk** \[*OPTION*\]... *NAME*...

## DESCRIPTION

Diagnose invalid or non-portable file names.

- **-p**

  check for most POSIX systems

- **-P**

  check for empty names and leading "-"

- **--portability**

  check for all POSIX systems (equivalent to **-p** **-P**)

- **--help**

  display this help and exit

- **--version**

  output version information and exit

## AUTHOR

Written by Paul Eggert, David MacKenzie, and Jim Meyering.

## 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

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