---
syntax: markdown
tags: [tldr, common]
source: https://github.com/tldr-pages/tldr.git
---
# docker cp

> Copy files or directories between host and container filesystems.
> More information: <https://docs.docker.com/reference/cli/docker/container/cp/>.

- Copy a file or directory from the host to a container:

`docker cp {{path/to/file_or_directory_on_host}} {{container_name}}:{{path/to/file_or_directory_in_container}}`

- Copy a file or directory from a container to the host:

`docker cp {{container_name}}:{{path/to/file_or_directory_in_container}} {{path/to/file_or_directory_on_host}}`

- Copy a file or directory from the host to a container, following symlinks (copies the symlinked files directly, not the symlinks themselves):

`docker cp {{[-L|--follow-link]}} {{path/to/symlink_on_host}} {{container_name}}:{{path/to/file_or_directory_in_container}}`
