How to Create and Remove Symbolic Links in Linux

What is a symbolic link

1. A symbolic link (symlink) is a shortcut that points to a file or folder. It is not a copy.
2. You create it with ln -s.
3. You remove it with unlink or rm.
4. Deleting a symlink removes only the shortcut, not the original.

If the original is deleted or moved, the symlink breaks (it is "dangling").

Create a symbolic link

ln -s target link_name

• target is the file or folder that already exists.
• link_name is the new shortcut.

Example, link a folder:

ln -s /media/music music

Example, link a file to another location:

ln -s /home/user/Documents/original.pdf ~/Desktop/original-link.pdf

Steps:

1. Open the terminal.
2. Run ln -s.
3. Give the full path of the original file or folder first.
4. Give the name (and location) of the new link second.

Use full (absolute) paths for the target, or the link may point to the wrong place when you move it.

Check a link

ls -l music

The output starts with l and shows an arrow:

lrwxrwxrwx 1 user user 12 Jan 10 10:00 music -> /media/music

Find broken links in a folder:

find . -xtype l

Remove a symbolic link

With unlink

unlink music

With rm

rm music

Replace an existing link

ln -sfn /new/target link_name

-f overwrites an existing link and -n treats a link to a folder as a normal file.

Symbolic and hard links

Common uses

• Enable an Nginx site: ln -s /etc/nginx/sites-available/site /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/.
• Keep several versions of software and point current to the active one.
• Put a short path for a deep folder.

Quick recap

• ln -s target link creates it, unlink link removes it.