# How to Use the Linux sftp Command Guide with Examples > URL: https://www.atlantic.net/dedicated-server-hosting/how-to-use-the-linux-sftp-command-guide-with-examples/ | Published: 2024-11-25 | Updated: 2024-12-03 | Author: Hitesh Jethva SFTP, or Secure File Transfer Protocol, is a network protocol that allows secure file access, transfer, and management over an encrypted SSH connection. SFTP is commonly used to transfer files between servers securely, often to or from a Linux server. It combines the ease of FTP with the security of SSH, making it suitable for use in environments that require encryption. In this guide, we’ll explore how to use the sftp command effectively with practical examples. ## Connecting to a Remote Server To connect to a remote server using sftp, you can use the following command: ```bash sftp user@remote_server_ip ``` For example: ```bash sftp john@192.168.1.10 ``` After entering the command, you’ll be prompted for the user’s password**.** Once authenticated, you will see the **sftp>** prompt, indicating that you have successfully connected. ## Basic Commands in sftp When connected via sftp, you can use various commands to navigate and manipulate files, similar to the commands used in a regular shell. **1. Listing Files** To list the files and directories in the current directory on the remote server, use: ```bash ls ``` You can also use **lls** to list files in your local working directory: ```bash lls ``` **2. Changing Directories** To change the current directory on the remote server: ```bash cd /path/to/directory ``` To change the directory on the local system: ```bash lcd /path/to/local/directory ``` **3. Uploading Files** To upload a file from your local system to the remote server, use the **put** command: ```bash put local_file.txt /remote/directory ``` For example: ```bash put document.txt /home/john/documents ``` **4. Downloading Files** To download a file from the remote server to your local system, use the **get** command: ```bash get /remote/directory/file.txt ``` For example: ```bash get /home/john/documents/report.pdf ``` **5. Uploading/Downloading Directories** To recursively upload a directory: ```bash put -r local_directory /remote/directory ``` To download a remote directory recursively: ```bash get -r /remote/directory local_directory ``` **6. Renaming Files** To rename a file on the remote server: ```bash rename old_name.txt new_name.txt ``` **7. Deleting Files** To delete a file on the remote server: ```bash rm /path/to/file.txt ``` ## Checking Remote Directory To display the current remote working directory: ```bash pwd ``` To display the current local working directory: ```bash lpwd ``` ## Creating and Removing Directories To create a new directory on the remote server: ```bash mkdir /path/to/new_directory ``` To remove a directory on the remote server: ```bash rmdir /path/to/directory ``` ## Using sftp in Batch Mode If you need to automate file transfers, you can use sftp in batch mode by providing a file containing a list of commands. Create a batch file, commands.txt, with the following content: ```bash lcd /local/directory cd /remote/directory put file1.txt get file2.txt ``` Then run sftp in batch mode: ```bash sftp -b commands.txt user@remote_server_ip ``` This allows you to automate repetitive file transfer tasks without manually typing each command. ## Using sftp in Non-Interactive Mode To run sftp non-interactively, echo commands to sftp or use here documents. This is particularly useful for integrating sftp commands into scripts. Example with here document: ```bash sftp user@hostname <