Learn how to create, inspect and safely update symbolic links to manage files and deployments. 16.11.2025 | reading time: 3 min Symbolic links are lightweight pointer files that let the administrator present alternate paths to files and directories; they are ideal for deployments, version switching and shortening long paths, and this guide shows how to create and manage them with common commands. Practical example: create and inspect Create a release directory, link it as current, then inspect the link with `ls` and `readlink` using the following commands and output examples: ```bash mkdir -p /tmp/project/releases/v1.2.3 && echo v1.2.3 > /tmp/project/releases/v1.2.3/VERSION ln -s /tmp/project/releases/v1.2.3 /tmp/project/current ls -l /tmp/project readlink -f /tmp/project/current ``` Example output (illustrative): ``` lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 29 Sep 1 12:00 current -> /tmp/project/releases/v1.2.3 /tmp/project/releases/v1.2.3 ``` Safely update links To switch a symlink to a new target without leaving a broken name in between, prefer an atomic swap using a temporary link and `mv`, for example: ```bash ln -s /tmp/project/releases/v1.2.4 /tmp/project/current.new mv -T /tmp/project/current.new /tmp/project/current ```Avoid relying solely on `ln -sfn` for atomicity across all setups; `mv` on the same filesystem provides an atomic rename. Key behaviors and options Decide between absolute and relative targets (relative links move with directory trees), watch for dangling links when targets are removed, and use the `-r` option of GNU `ln` to create relative symlinks; remember symlinks store pathnames, not inodes, so they can cross filesystem boundaries. Inspecting and finding links Use `readlink -f` or `realpath` to resolve targets, `stat -c %N` to show the link target, `find -L` to traverse following links, and `file` to identify symlinks; combine these to detect dangling links and to audit link trees quickly. Security and pitfalls Be careful with symlinks in world-writable directories to avoid TOCTOU or symlink race vulnerabilities, check ownership and permissions of targets, and avoid creating relative links that unexpectedly point outside confined environments when software is relocated. Next steps Start practicing by converting a deployment directory to a symlink-based switch and auditing links across the filesystem; to deepen Linux skills consider exam preparation such as CompTIA Linux+ or LPIC-1 with intensive courses at bitsandbytes.academy. Join Bits & Bytes Academy First class LINUX exam preparation. filesystem utilities scripting
