The **//mkdir//** command in Linux and Unix-like systems stands for "make directory".  It is used to create a new directory.

Here is the basic syntax for the **mkdir** command:

<code>
mkdir [options] directory_name
</code>


**directory_name** is the name of the directory you want to create. 
----

Here are more examples of the **mkdir** command:

1. To create a new directory called "mydirectory" in the current working directory:

<code>
$ mkdir mydirectory
</code>

Remember that you can check your current working directory by using the [[unix_commands:pwd|pwd]] command.

2. to create a new directory called "mail-backup" in the home directory:

<code>
$ mkdir ~/mail-backup
</code>

Notice the **~/** in front of the **mail-backup**

3. There is a way to create multiple directories at once:

<code>
$ mkdir directory1 directory2 directory3
</code>

4. To create a directory and all its parent directories if they do not exist:

<code>
$ mkdir -p /full/path/to/new/directory
</code>

5. To create a directory with permissions:
<code>
$ mkdir -m 777 mydirectory
</code>