mkdir (create directories) in Linux CLI - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the mkdir command do in Linux?

The mkdir command creates a new directory (folder) in the file system.

beginner

How do you create a directory named photos using mkdir?

Use the command: mkdir photos to create a directory called photos in the current location.

intermediate

What option do you use with mkdir to create parent directories if they do not exist?

Use the -p option. For example, mkdir -p parent/child creates both parent and child directories if they don't exist.

beginner

What happens if you try to create a directory that already exists without using -p?

The mkdir command will show an error saying the directory already exists and will not create it.

intermediate

How can you create multiple directories at once with mkdir?

You can list multiple directory names separated by spaces. For example, mkdir dir1 dir2 dir3 creates three directories at once.

Which command creates a directory named work?

A folder make work

B create work

C newdir work

D mkdir work

The correct command to create a directory is mkdir followed by the directory name.

What does the -p option do in mkdir -p projects/code?

A Creates parent directories if missing

B Prompts before creating directories

C Prints the directory path

D Deletes the projects directory

The -p option creates parent directories if they do not exist.

What happens if you run mkdir photos twice without -p?

A It overwrites the directory

B It shows an error that directory exists

C It creates a new directory inside photos

D It deletes the existing directory

Trying to create an existing directory without -p causes an error.

How do you create three directories named one, two, and three at once?

A mkdir -p one two three

B mkdir one; mkdir two; mkdir three

C mkdir one two three

D mkdir all one two three

Listing directory names separated by spaces creates them all at once.

Which command creates nested directories parent/child/grandchild in one step?

A mkdir -p parent/child/grandchild

B mkdir parent child grandchild

C mkdir parent/child/grandchild

D mkdir -n parent/child/grandchild

The -p option allows creating nested directories in one command.

Explain how to create a directory and nested directories using mkdir. Include what happens if the directory already exists.

Think about creating one folder vs many folders inside each other.

Describe how to create multiple directories at once with mkdir and why this might be useful.

Imagine you need several folders for a project.