Getting "file exists" error when trying to create a directory (mkdir)

Question

I'm very new at command line and am having a problem with creating basic directories.

I want to create a directory (let's call it "Blue") inside my documents folder. I am in my Home directory (where my documents folder lives) and expected the following command to do what I wanted

mkdir Blue Documents

However, I get an error message that says "mkdir: Documents: File Exists" and my "Blue" directory is just created under my Home directory.

How should I alter my command to specify that I want the "Blue" directory created under my Documents directory? I am using Terminal on OS X

CD Documents.. mkdir Blue

Felippe Duarte
– Felippe Duarte

2016-05-28 19:42:00 +00:00
Commented May 28, 2016 at 19:42 — Felippe Duarte
– Felippe Duarte, Commented May 28, 2016 at 19:42

bmcculley · Accepted Answer · 2016-05-28 19:42:39Z

1

Your syntax is trying to create the Blue and Documents directory right in the home directory.

You can either cd inside the Documents directory or use this syntax:

mkdir Documents/Blue

answered May 28, 2016 at 19:42

bmcculley

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Comments

André Slotta · Accepted Answer · 2016-05-28 19:42:36Z

0

try this:

mkdir Documents/Blue

answered May 28, 2016 at 19:42

André Slotta

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