gvfs-copy

gvfs-copy [OPTIONS...] SOURCE... DESTINATION

-n, --nofollow
    Do not follow symbolic links.

-p, --preserve
    Preserve modification times and permissions.

-v, --verbose
    Be verbose.

-i, --interactive
    Prompt before overwriting existing files.

-t, --no-target-directory
    Treat DESTINATION as a normal file, not a directory.

-r, --recursive
    Copy directories recursively.

-d, --directory
    Create all the components of the specified directories.

SOURCE...
    One or more source files or directories to copy.

DESTINATION
    The destination directory or file.

The `gvfs-copy` command is a command-line utility for copying files and directories using the GVFS (Gnome Virtual File System) framework. GVFS provides a unified interface for accessing various types of storage, including local filesystems, remote servers (e.g., SSH, FTP, WebDAV), and removable media. `gvfs-copy` utilizes this framework to handle copying across these different locations transparently, handling protocol-specific details behind the scenes. It's especially useful when working with remote filesystems mounted using GVFS, as it can leverage GVFS's capabilities for authentication and file transfer optimization. This tool simplifies file management by offering a consistent way to copy files regardless of their location or underlying protocol.

GVFS relies on the availability of GVFS daemons and the appropriate GVFS modules for the specific protocols involved. If the necessary GVFS modules are not installed or configured, `gvfs-copy` may fail to copy files to or from certain locations.
Copying very large files over slow network connections can be slow and potentially unreliable. Always verify integrity after copying.

The source and destination paths can be GVFS URIs (e.g., `sftp://user@host/path/to/file`).

Pay close attention to error messages as they can be valuable in diagnosing connection problems or permission issues when copying files using `gvfs-copy`. For example, it will fail copying a file if you do not have permission to read it.

The `gvfs-copy` command was developed as part of the GVFS project within the Gnome desktop environment. Its primary purpose is to provide a user-friendly and consistent way to copy files across various virtual file systems, abstracting away the complexities of different protocols and storage mechanisms. It has become a standard tool in Gnome-based systems for managing files across diverse storage locations.

gvfs-move(1), gvfs-mount(1), gvfs-open(1)