bash command to copy file from one computer to another

Question

Wasn't quite sure how to word this but let's say I've used ssh to remote into my friends MacBook (macbook_b) from my MacBook (macbook_a).

What command would I use to copy a file/directory to my MacBook (macbook_a) from my friends MacBook (macbook_b)?

Thank you.

Solution 1

You can use scp (Secure Copy).

To copy FROM your machine to friends:

scp file_to_copy [email protected]:/path/to/location

In another direction:

scp [email protected]:/path/locatio/file_name file_name

If you need to copy an entire directory, you'll need to use the recursive flag, like this:

scp -r directory_to_copy [email protected]:/path/to/location

Solution 2

Assuming you're logged in on macbook_b:

scp file_to_copy username@macbook_a:/path/to/destination

or if you're logged in on macbook_a:

scp username@macbook_b:/path/to/file_to_copy local_destination