23

How can I override the file exists: warning from zsh?

> echo > newfile.txt
> echo > newfile.txt  
zsh: file exists: newfile.txt

In these cases I prefer my shell to not complain and simply overwrite the file, like bash.

Likewise, how to override the following:

$ ls >> /tmp/testfile.txt                                                                                                                                                   
zsh: no such file or directory: /tmp/testfile.txt
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  • 2
    set +C should be longer for a comment. But maybe that's because i failed to mention >| for a single-use case. – mikeserv Jun 25 '15 at 14:38
23

Does your setopt output mention noclobber? If so, that's it, just setopt clobber

The documentation for the option is at http://zsh.sourceforge.net/Doc/Release/Options.html#index-file-clobbering_002c-allowing

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37

You can force the ZSH to clobber on redirect with:

>!

Same as >, except that the file is truncated to zero length if it exists, even if CLOBBER is unset.

or

>>!

Same as >>, except that the file is created if it does not exist, even if CLOBBER is unset.

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13

Others have recommended using >! or >>! but these are not POSIX standard. The POSIx compliant way to overwrite files without prompting is to use >| or >>| and this will work in any shell.

For information see here: http://pubs.opengroup.org/onlinepubs/9699919799/utilities/V3_chap02.html#tag_18_07_02

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