touch
Create empty files or update file access and modification timestamps.
Synopsis
touch [OPTION]... FILE...
Examples
touch newfile.txt
touch -t 202301011200 file.txt
touch -r ref.txt target.txt
touch file{1..5}.txtCommon options
| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
| -a | Change only access time |
| -m | Change only modification time |
| -t | Use specified time instead of current time |
| -c | Do not create file if it does not exist |
| -r | Use reference file's timestamp |
About touch
The `touch` command create empty files or update file access and modification timestamps. File operation commands are essential for navigating and managing the Linux filesystem.
They form the backbone of everyday system administration and development workflows. Mastering these commands enables you to efficiently create, move, copy, and organize files and directories from the terminal, which is often faster and more scriptable than graphical alternatives.
The command accepts 5 commonly used flags shown above, though the full set of options is available in the man page (`man touch`). The 4 examples on this page cover typical real-world usage patterns that you can copy and adapt for your own workflows.
Related commands
More File Operations Commands
Other commands in the File Operations category