Windows Linux PowerShell Equivalents File System

Windows `PowerShell Test-Path` equivalent in Linux

Tests whether a file, directory or other path exists for use in shell scripts.

Windows PowerShell Test-Path

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Linux equivalents

Debian/Ubuntu same command

test -e path

Fedora same command

test -e path

Arch same command

test -e path

Overview

What this command does

Tests whether a file, directory or other path exists for use in shell scripts.

Migration tip: The test command returns an exit status rather than printing true or false. In Bash, [[ ... ]] is usually easier to read.

Practical tasks

Common use cases

Check whether a path exists

Tests whether a file, directory or other path exists for use in shell scripts.

test -e file.txt && echo "exists"

Check for any path

[[ -f file.txt ]] && echo "regular file"

Check for a regular file

[[ -d folder ]] && echo "directory"

Check for a directory

Ready to run

Copyable Linux commands

Review paths, device names, package names and permissions before running any command.

test -e file.txt && echo "exists"

[[ -f file.txt ]] && echo "regular file"

[[ -d folder ]] && echo "directory"

Walkthrough

Examples with explanations

test -e file.txt && echo "exists" # check whether a path exists
[[ -f file.txt ]] && echo "regular file" # check for a regular file
[[ -d folder ]] && echo "directory" # check for a directory

Reference

Common options and variations

Command or option	Use
`test -e file.txt && echo "exists"`	Check for any path
`[[ -f file.txt ]] && echo "regular file"`	Check for a regular file
`[[ -d folder ]] && echo "directory"`	Check for a directory

Distro differences

Debian/Ubuntu vs Fedora vs Arch

This command is the same on Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch Linux when the relevant tool is installed.

Distribution	Package manager / base	Equivalent command	Difference to notice
Debian/Ubuntu	same command	`test -e path`	Same command on this distribution.
Fedora	same command	`test -e path`	Same command on this distribution.
Arch	same command	`test -e path`	Same command on this distribution.

Keep learning

What this command does

Common use cases

Check whether a path exists

test -e file.txt && echo "exists"

[[ -f file.txt ]] && echo "regular file"

[[ -d folder ]] && echo "directory"

Copyable Linux commands

Examples with explanations

Common options and variations

Debian/Ubuntu vs Fedora vs Arch

Related PowerShell Equivalents commands