Cp Megalink Link [portable] May 2026

Here’s a helpful, practical article explaining the command cp megalink link — what it means, how it works, and common pitfalls to avoid.

Common Scenario: Copying a Symlink (Not Dereferencing)

Sometimes users want to copy a symbolic link as a link, not copy the target file. By default, cp copies the target file — not the link.

Example:

ln -s /real/file.txt megalink   # Create symlink named megalink
cp megalink link                # Copies the *target* of megalink to 'link'

If you want to copy the symlink itself (keeping it a symlink), use -d or -P:

cp -d megalink link

If You Meant cp --link (GNU extension)

Some versions of cp (Linux) support --link as an alias for -l: cp megalink link

cp --link original copy   # Creates a hard link, no extra disk usage

This is not cp megalink link.

Useful Options for cp (Relevant to “link” Copying)

| Option | Effect | |--------|--------| | -i | Interactive – ask before overwriting | | -n | No overwrite – don’t clobber existing files | | -l | Create hard links instead of copying | | -s | Create symbolic links instead of copying | | -u | Update – copy only when source is newer | | -r or -R | Copy directories recursively | Here’s a helpful, practical article explaining the command

If You Meant cp with Mega.nz Tools

The Mega command-line client (megacmd) uses mega- prefixed commands. For example:

mega-get https://mega.nz/file/abc123 myfile.dat

But cp megalink link is not a Mega command — it’s standard cp. If you want to copy the symlink itself