How to Zip All Files in a Directory Using Command Line in Ubuntu

Topic: Ubuntu / LinuxPrev|Next

Answer: Use the zip Command

First install the zip utility if it isn't already installed on your system. But before this, let's begin by updating the local package index by using the following command:

Now run the following command to install the zip utility:

Now to zip a directory at the same location you can simply use the following command:

For example, if your current working directory is /var/www and you want to zip a folder named assets inside of it, you can simply use the following command:

Alternatively, you can provide the absolute path of the file/folder like this:

Both commands will have the same effect, because current working directory doesn't matter when you use absolute path. Any path that starts with a forward slash / is an absolute path.

Moreover, to store zip file at other location, you can use the following syntax:

For example, if your current working directory is /var/www and you want to zip a folder named assets and save it in the folder named backup at the same location, you can use:

Or, if you want to use absolute path you can run the following command.

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Related FAQ

Here are some more FAQ related to this topic:

• How to unzip a zip file from the terminal in Ubuntu
• How to rename a directory via command line in Ubuntu
• How to change current working directory in Ubuntu terminal