mv Command Reference for CI Scripts

mv renames a file or moves it to another directory.

mv is the tool for atomic swaps: write to a temp name, then mv it into place so readers never see a half-written file. That guarantee only holds within one filesystem.

Common flags/usage

• -f: overwrite the destination without prompting
• -n: never overwrite an existing destination
• -t DIR: specify the target directory (useful with xargs)
• -v: verbose
• mv SRC DST: rename; mv SRC... DIR/: move into a directory

Example

tar -czf out.tar.gz.tmp dist/
mv -f out.tar.gz.tmp "release-${VERSION}.tar.gz"   # atomic on same FS

In CI

A rename within the same filesystem is atomic, which is why "write to .tmp, then mv into place" is the safe publish pattern. Across filesystems (e.g. a bind-mounted volume) mv copies then deletes, which is NOT atomic and is slower. Without -f, an interactive mv may prompt; use -f or -n in scripts.

Key takeaways

• mv within one filesystem is atomic, ideal for safe publish-into-place.
• Across filesystems mv copies then deletes, losing atomicity.
• Pass -f or -n in scripts so mv never blocks on an overwrite prompt.

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