How to Recursively Copy a Folder (Directory) in Python

Using shutil.copytree()

The simplest way to copy directories is with shutil.copytree(src, dest), which recursively copies all files and subdirectories.

Customize Copy with shutil.copytree() Parameters

Use the ignore parameter to exclude specific files or folders during the copy. Example: shutil.copytree(src, dest, ignore=shutil.ignore_patterns('*.tmp')).

Handle Existing Destinations Gracefully

If the destination folder exists, use dirs_exist_ok=True in Python 3.8+ with shutil.copytree() to overwrite or merge directories.

Copy with os.walk() and shutil.copy2()

Use os.walk() to iterate through the source directory and shutil.copy2() to copy each file, preserving metadata.

Wrap in a try-except Block

Wrap recursive copy operations in try-except to handle errors like missing permissions or existing directories gracefully.

Use Third-Party Libraries for Flexibility

Libraries like distutils.dir_util or pathlib can be used for additional options and simpler syntax in recursive directory operations.