File Command Generator (cp / mv / rsync / scp)

Features

• Four commands: cp, mv, rsync, scp
• The first line is the source; each line after is a destination
• Paths with spaces quoted one by one, never as a single wrapped string
• Globs such as *.log left unquoted so the shell can expand them
• rsync-only -n dry run and --exclude patterns
• Options the chosen command does not support are called out, not dropped
• Risk notes, such as mv overwriting being irreversible
• Everything runs locally, with no network requests

How to use

1. Put the source on the first line and one destination per line
2. Pick a command and tick the options you want
3. For a remote target, enter it as user@host:/path
4. Copy the generated command and its option notes

FAQ

Why quote a path, and where exactly?

Because the shell splits arguments on spaces, so an unquoted `my file.txt` becomes two arguments. The fix is to quote each path that needs it, giving `cp "my file.txt" out/`. The opposite mistake is wrapping the whole run in one pair of quotes (`cp "a.txt b.txt"`), which turns them into a single filename. So this tool checks path by path and quotes only what needs it.

Why does mv not get -r when recursive is ticked?

Because `mv` is already recursive — moving a directory moves its contents, and it does not accept `-r` at all. In the same way `mv` has no `-p`: moving merely renames a directory entry, so permissions and timestamps are untouched. Both options therefore produce a note rather than a flag.

Should I use rsync or cp?

For a one-off local copy, `cp` is enough. Use `rsync` when you want an incremental sync (only changed files), need to exclude a set of files, are copying to a remote host, or want to preview with `-n`. `scp` is a simpler fallback but does not do incremental transfers or exclusions.

Why is there no dry run for cp?

Because neither `cp` nor `mv` has one, and neither does `scp`. To preview what would change, use `rsync -n` (it has the most complete option set) or point the command at a scratch directory first. When you tick dry run for a command that lacks it, this tool writes that limitation straight into the result.