diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test000.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test000.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..e1665b121
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test000.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+# copy a file to one with a different name
+# ensure that the original exists
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+touch foo.txt
+
+wsh file copy foo.txt bar.txt
+
+if [ ! -f foo.txt ]; then
+    echo "foo.txt does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test001.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test001.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..78a8b67bf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test001.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+# copy a file to one with a different name
+# ensure that the destination file exists
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+touch foo.txt
+
+wsh file copy foo.txt bar.txt
+
+if [ ! -f bar.txt ]; then
+    echo "bar.txt does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test002.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test002.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..b4df0c36e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test002.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+# copy a file with contents
+# ensure the contents are the same
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+touch foo.txt
+echo "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" > foo.txt
+
+wsh file copy foo.txt bar.txt
+
+
+FOO_MD5=$(md5sum foo.txt | cut -d " " -f1)
+BAR_MD5=$(md5sum bar.txt | cut -d " " -f1)
+if [ $FOO_MD5 != $BAR_MD5 ]; then
+    echo "files are not the same"
+    echo "FOO_MD5 is $FOO_MD5"
+    echo "BAR_MD5 is $BAR_MD5"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test003.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test003.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..c15357f3f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test003.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+# copy a file where source starts with ./
+# ensure the source file exists
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+touch foo.txt
+
+wsh file copy ./foo.txt bar.txt
+
+if [ ! -f foo.txt ]; then
+    echo "foo.txt does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test004.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test004.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..791d7f8e2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test004.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+# copy a file where source starts with ./
+# ensure the destination file exists
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+touch foo.txt
+
+wsh file copy ./foo.txt bar.txt
+
+if [ ! -f bar.txt ]; then
+    echo "bar.txt does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test005.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test005.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..84e1ddb1e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test005.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+# copy a file where destination starts with ./
+# ensure the source file exists
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+touch foo.txt
+
+wsh file copy foo.txt ./bar.txt
+
+if [ ! -f foo.txt ]; then
+    echo "foo.txt does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test006.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test006.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..5522de491
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test006.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+# copy a file where destination starts with ./
+# ensure the destination file exists
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+touch foo.txt
+
+wsh file copy foo.txt ./bar.txt
+
+if [ ! -f bar.txt ]; then
+    echo "bar.txt does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test007.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test007.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..8a50db9fd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test007.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+# copy a file where source and destination start with ./
+# ensure the source file exists
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+touch foo.txt
+
+wsh file copy ./foo.txt ./bar.txt
+
+if [ ! -f foo.txt ]; then
+    echo "foo.txt does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test008.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test008.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..e4b4032f8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test008.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+# copy a file where source and destination start with ./
+# ensure the destination file exists
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+touch foo.txt
+
+wsh file copy ./foo.txt ./bar.txt
+
+if [ ! -f bar.txt ]; then
+    echo "bar.txt does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test009.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test009.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..22251050e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test009.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+# copy a file to itself with the same literal name
+# ensure the operation fails and the file still exists
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+touch foo.txt
+
+wsh file copy foo.txt foo.txt >/dev/null 2>&1 && echo "copy should have failed" && exit 1
+
+if [ ! -f foo.txt ]; then
+    echo "foo.txt does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test010.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test010.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..c35841f59
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test010.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+# copy a file to itself with a different literal name
+# ensure the copy fails and the file still exists
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+touch foo.txt
+
+wsh file copy foo.txt ./foo.txt >/dev/null 2>&1 && echo "copy should have failed" && exit 1
+
+if [ ! -f foo.txt ]; then
+    echo "foo.txt does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test011.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test011.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..90768b774
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test011.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+# copy a file with ~ used to resolve the source
+# ensure the source still exists
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+touch foo.txt
+
+wsh file copy ~/testcp/foo.txt bar.txt
+
+if [ ! -f foo.txt ]; then
+    echo "foo.txt does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test012.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test012.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..8397f199f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test012.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+# copy a file with ~ used to resolve the source
+# ensure the destination exists
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+touch foo.txt
+
+wsh file copy ~/testcp/foo.txt bar.txt
+
+if [ ! -f bar.txt ]; then
+    echo "bar.txt does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test013.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test013.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..a51104c09
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test013.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+# copy a file with ~ used to resolve the destination
+# ensure the source exists
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+touch foo.txt
+
+wsh file copy foo.txt ~/testcp/bar.txt
+
+if [ ! -f foo.txt ]; then
+    echo "foo.txt does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test014.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test014.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..929549772
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test014.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+# copy a file with ~ used to resolve the destination
+# ensure the destination exists
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+touch foo.txt
+
+wsh file copy foo.txt ~/testcp/bar.txt
+
+if [ ! -f bar.txt ]; then
+    echo "bar.txt does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test015.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test015.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..aa9196fbf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test015.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+# copy a file where source and destination are resolved with ~
+# ensure the source file exists
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+touch foo.txt
+
+wsh file copy ~/testcp/foo.txt ~/testcp/bar.txt
+
+if [ ! -f foo.txt ]; then
+    echo "foo.txt does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test016.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test016.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..2c98952c9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test016.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+# copy a file where source and destination are resolved with ~
+# ensure the destination file exists
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+touch foo.txt
+
+wsh file copy ~/testcp/foo.txt ~/testcp/bar.txt
+
+if [ ! -f bar.txt ]; then
+    echo "bar.txt does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test017.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test017.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..3047aae2e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test017.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+# copy a file to itself with ~ for destination resolution
+# ensure that the operation fails and the file still exists
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+touch foo.txt
+
+wsh file copy foo.txt ~/testcp/foo.txt  >/dev/null 2>&1 && echo "copy should have failed" && exit 1
+
+if [ ! -f foo.txt ]; then
+    echo "foo.txt does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test018.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test018.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..acf81442c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test018.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+# copy a file to itself with ~ for source resolution
+# ensure that the operation fails and the file still exists
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+touch foo.txt
+
+wsh file copy ~/testcp/foo.txt foo.txt  >/dev/null 2>&1 && echo "copy should have failed" && exit 1
+
+if [ ! -f foo.txt ]; then
+    echo "foo.txt does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test019.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test019.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..4d4816b06
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test019.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+# copy a file to itself with env var expansion in destination
+# ensure the operation fails and the file still exists
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+touch foo.txt
+
+wsh file copy foo.txt "${HOME}"/testcp/foo.txt  >/dev/null 2>&1 && echo "copy should have failed" && exit 1
+
+if [ ! -f foo.txt ]; then
+    echo "foo.txt does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test020.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test020.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..8b8f6877b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test020.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+# copy a file to itself with env var expansion in source
+# ensure the operation fails and the file still exists
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+touch foo.txt
+
+wsh file copy "${HOME}"/testcp/foo.txt foo.txt  >/dev/null 2>&1 && echo "copy should have failed" && exit 1
+
+if [ ! -f foo.txt ]; then
+    echo "foo.txt does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test021.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test021.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..0099897d6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test021.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+# copy to a deeper directory and rename
+# ensure the destination file exists
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+touch foo.txt
+mkdir baz
+
+wsh file copy foo.txt baz/bar.txt
+
+if [ ! -f baz/bar.txt ]; then
+    echo "baz/bar.txt does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test022.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test022.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..d9186fa01
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test022.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+# copy a file to a deeper directory with the same base name
+# ensure the destination file exists
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+touch foo.txt
+mkdir baz
+
+wsh file copy foo.txt baz/foo.txt
+
+if [ ! -f baz/foo.txt ]; then
+    echo "baz/foo.txt does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test023.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test023.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..4a16f3d81
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test023.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+# copy into an existing directory ending in /
+# ensure the file is inserted in the directory
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+touch foo.txt
+mkdir baz
+
+wsh file copy foo.txt baz/
+
+if [ ! -f baz/foo.txt ]; then
+    echo "baz/foo.txt does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test024.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test024.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..bcf207670
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test024.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+# copy into an existing directory not ending in /
+# ensure the file is inserted in the directory
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+touch foo.txt
+mkdir baz
+
+wsh file copy foo.txt baz
+
+if [ ! -f baz/foo.txt ]; then
+    echo "baz/foo.txt does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test025.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test025.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..1de62ccd5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test025.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+# copy into an non-existing directory where file has the same base name
+# ensure the file is copied to a file inside the directory
+# note that this is not regular cp behavior
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+touch foo.txt
+
+# this is different from cp behavior
+wsh file copy foo.txt baz/foo.txt
+
+if [ ! -f baz/foo.txt ]; then
+    echo "baz/foo.txt does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test026.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test026.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..e6bfcb361
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test026.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+# copy into an non-existing directory ending with a /
+# ensure the file is copied to a file inside the directory
+# note that this is not regular cp behavior
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+touch foo.txt
+
+# this is different from cp behavior
+wsh file copy foo.txt baz/ >/dev/null 2>&1 && echo "command should have failed" && exit 1
+
+if [ -f baz/foo.txt ]; then
+    echo "baz/foo.txt should not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test027.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test027.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..52e906536
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test027.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+# copy into an non-existing file name not-ending with a /
+# ensure the file is copied to a file instead of a directory
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+touch foo.txt
+
+wsh file copy foo.txt baz
+
+if [ ! -f baz ]; then
+    echo "baz does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test028.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test028.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..c208f5a38
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test028.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+# copy from relative .. source to current directory .
+# ensure the file is copied correctly
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+touch foo.txt
+mkdir baz
+cd baz
+
+wsh file copy ../foo.txt .
+cd ..
+
+if [ ! -f baz/foo.txt ]; then
+    echo "baz/foo.txt does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test029.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test029.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..2e2a23bc0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test029.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+# copy from the current directory to a relative directory ..
+# ensure the file is copied correctly
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+mkdir baz
+cd baz
+touch foo.txt
+
+
+wsh file copy foo.txt ..
+cd ..
+
+if [ ! -f foo.txt ]; then
+    echo "foo.txt does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test030.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test030.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..39e4292fa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test030.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+# copy from a deeper directory to the current directory .
+# ensure the file is copied correctly
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+mkdir baz
+touch baz/foo.txt
+
+wsh file copy baz/foo.txt .
+
+if [ ! -f foo.txt ]; then
+    echo "foo.txt does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test031.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test031.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..4955fd0f5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test031.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+# copy an empty directory to a non-existing directory without -r flag
+# ensure the operation fails and the new file doesn't exist
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+mkdir foo
+
+wsh file copy foo bar >/dev/null 2>&1 && echo "the command should have failed" && exit 1
+
+if [ -d bar ]; then
+    echo "bar should not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test032.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test032.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..b32104375
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test032.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+# copy an empty directory to a non-existing directory with -r flag
+# ensure the empty directory is copied to one with the new name
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+mkdir foo
+
+wsh file copy -r foo bar
+
+if [ ! -d bar ]; then
+    echo "bar does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test033.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test033.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..de4bdcf66
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test033.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+# copy an empty directory ending with / to a non-existing directory without -r flag
+# ensure the copy fails and the new directory doesn't exist
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+mkdir bar
+
+wsh file copy bar/ baz >/dev/null 2>&1 && echo "this command was supposed to fail" && exit 1
+
+if [ -d baz ]; then
+    echo "baz should not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test034.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test034.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..8fa375634
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test034.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+# copy an empty directory ending with / to a non-existing directory with -r flag
+# ensure the copy succeeds and the new directory exists
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+mkdir bar
+
+wsh file copy -r bar/ baz
+if [ ! -d baz ]; then
+    echo "baz does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test035.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test035.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..c2f0f0168
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test035.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+# copy an empty directory to a non-existing directory ending with / without -r flag
+# ensure the copy fails and the new directory doesn't exist
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+mkdir bar
+
+wsh file copy bar baz/ >/dev/null 2>&1 && echo "this command was supposed to fail" && exit 1
+if [ -d baz ]; then
+    echo "baz should not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test036.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test036.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..c8505c5a9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test036.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+# copy an empty directory to a non-existing directory ending with / with -r flag
+# ensure the copy succeeds and the new directory exists
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+mkdir bar
+
+wsh file copy -r bar baz/
+
+if [ ! -d baz ]; then
+    echo "baz does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test037.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test037.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..791a7f8c1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test037.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+# copy an empty directory ending with // to a non-existing directory with -r flag
+# ensure the copy succeeds and the new directory exists
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+mkdir bar
+
+wsh file copy -r bar// baz
+
+if [ ! -d baz ]; then
+    echo "baz does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test038.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test038.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..e58de121a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test038.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+# copy an empty directory to a non-existing directory ending with // with -r flag
+# ensure the copy succeeds and the new directory exists
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+mkdir bar
+
+wsh file copy -r bar baz//
+
+if [ ! -d baz ]; then
+    echo "baz does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test039.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test039.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..149607a2a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test039.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+# copy a directory containing a file to a new directory without -r flag
+# ensure this fails and the new files don't exist
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+mkdir bar
+touch bar/foo.txt
+
+wsh file copy bar baz >/dev/null 2>&1 && echo "this command should have failed" && exit 1
+
+if [ -f baz/foo.txt ]; then
+    echo "baz/foo.txt should not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test040.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test040.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..1414635fc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test040.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+# copy a directory containing a file to a new directory with -r flag
+# ensure this succeeds and the new files exist
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+mkdir bar
+touch bar/foo.txt
+
+wsh file copy -r bar baz
+
+if [ ! -f baz/foo.txt ]; then
+    echo "baz/foo.txt does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test041.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test041.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..1e04d917d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test041.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+# copy a directory containing a file to an existing directory with -r flag
+# ensure this succeeds and the new files are nested in the existing directory
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+mkdir bar
+touch bar/foo.txt
+mkdir baz
+
+wsh file -r bar baz
+
+if [ ! -f baz/bar/foo.txt ]; then
+    echo "baz/bar/foo.txt does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test042.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test042.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..29831e987
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test042.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+# copy a directory containing a file to an existing directory ending with / with -r flag
+# ensure this succeeds and the new files are nested in the existing directory
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+mkdir bar
+touch bar/foo.txt
+mkdir baz
+
+wsh file copy -r bar baz/
+
+if [ ! -f baz/bar/foo.txt ]; then
+    echo "baz/bar/foo.txt does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test043.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test043.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..87160c68f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test043.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+# copy a directory containing a file to an existing directory ending with /. with -r flag
+# ensure this succeeds and the new files are nested in the existing directory
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+mkdir bar
+touch bar/foo.txt
+mkdir baz
+
+wsh file copy -r bar baz/.
+
+if [ ! -f baz/bar/foo.txt ]; then
+    echo "baz/bar/foo.txt does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test044.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test044.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..9a03245ce
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test044.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+# copy a doubly nested directory containing a file to a non-existant directory with the -r flag
+# ensure this succeeds and the new files exist with the first directory renamed
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+mkdir foo
+mkdir foo/bar
+touch foo/bar/baz.txt
+
+wsh file copy -r foo qux
+
+if [ ! -f qux/bar/baz.txt ]; then
+    echo "qux/bar/baz.txt does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test045.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test045.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..2dd232fb4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test045.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+# copy a doubly nested directory containing a file to an existing directory with the -r flag
+# ensure this succeeds and the new files exist and are nested in the existing directory
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+mkdir foo
+mkdir foo/bar
+touch foo/bar/baz.txt
+mkdir qux
+
+wsh file copy -r foo qux
+
+if [ ! -f qux/foo/bar/baz.txt ]; then
+    echo "qux/foo/bar/baz.txt does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test046.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test046.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..5b4a9895d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test046.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+# copy a file with /// separating directory and file
+# ensure the copy succeeds and the file exists
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+mkdir foo
+touch foo/bar.txt
+
+wsh file copy foo///bar.txt .
+
+if [ ! -f bar.txt ]; then
+    echo "bar.txt does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test047.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test047.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..609cffc0c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test047.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+# copy a file with /// to a file with //
+# ensure the copy succeeds and the file exists
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+mkdir foo
+touch foo/bar.txt
+mkdir baz
+
+wsh file copy foo///bar.txt baz//qux.txt
+
+if [ ! -f baz/qux.txt ]; then
+    echo "baz/qux.txt does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test048.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test048.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..c0001f263
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test048.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+# copy the current directory into an existing directory without the -r flag
+# ensure the copy fails and the output doesn't exist
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+mkdir foo
+touch foo/bar.txt
+mkdir baz
+cd foo
+
+wsh file copy . ../baz >/dev/null 2>&1 && echo "command should have failed" && exit 1
+
+if [ -f baz/bar.txt ]; then
+    echo "baz/bar.txt should not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test049.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test049.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..2f3f94371
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test049.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+# copy the current directory into an existing directory with the -r flag 
+# ensure the copy succeeds and the output exists
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+mkdir foo
+touch foo/bar.txt
+mkdir baz
+cd foo
+
+wsh file copy -r . ../baz
+cd ..
+
+if [ ! -f baz/bar.txt ]; then
+    echo "baz/bar.txt does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test050.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test050.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..7b7bebd06
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test050.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+# copy the current directory into a non-existing directory without the -r flag 
+# ensure the copy fails and the output does not exist
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+mkdir foo
+touch foo/bar.txt
+cd foo
+
+wsh file copy . ../baz >/dev/null 2>&1 && echo "command should have failed" && exit 1
+
+if [ -f baz/bar.txt ]; then
+    echo "baz/bar.txt should not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test051.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test051.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..0d625b660
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test051.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+# copy the current directory into a non-existing directory with the -r flag 
+# ensure the copy succeeds and the output exists
+
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+mkdir foo
+touch foo/bar.txt
+cd foo
+
+wsh file copy -r . ../baz
+cd ..
+
+if [ ! -f baz/bar.txt ]; then
+    echo "baz/bar.txt does not exist"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/tests/copytests/cases/test052.sh b/tests/copytests/cases/test052.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..5010c3305
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/cases/test052.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+# copy a directory with contents
+# ensure the contents are the same
+set -e
+cd "$HOME/testcp"
+mkdir foo
+mkdir foo/bar
+touch foo/bar/baz.txt
+mkdir foo/bar/qux
+touch foo/bar/qux/quux.txt
+echo "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog." > foo/bar/baz.txt
+echo "Sphinx of black quartz, judge my vow." > foo/bar/qux/quux.txt
+mkdir corge
+
+# we need a nested corge/foo so the foo.zip contains the same exact file names
+# in other words, if one file was named foo and the other was corge, they would
+# not match. this allows them to be the same.
+wsh file copy -r foo corge/foo
+
+
+zip -r foo.zip foo >/dev/null 2>&1
+FOO_MD5=$(md5sum foo.zip | cut -d " " -f1)
+
+cd corge
+zip -r foo.zip foo >/dev/null 2>&1
+CORGE_MD5=$(md5sum foo.zip | cut -d " " -f1)
+
+if [ $FOO_MD5 != $CORGE_MD5 ]; then
+    echo "directories are not the same"
+    echo "FOO_MD5 is $FOO_MD5"
+    echo "CORGE_MD5 is $CORGE_MD5"
+    exit 1
+fi
+
diff --git a/tests/copytests/runner.sh b/tests/copytests/runner.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..d48e3415a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/runner.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+cd "$(dirname "$0")"
+source testutil.sh
+
+for fname in cases/*.sh; do
+    setup_testcp
+    #"${fname}" | read outerr && printf "\e[32mPASS $fname\n\n\e[0m" || printf "\e[31mFAIL $fname: $outerr \n\n\e[0m"
+    if ! outerr=$("${fname}" 2>&1); then
+        printf "\e[31mFAIL $fname:\n$outerr \n\n\e[0m"
+    else
+        printf "\e[32mPASS $fname\n\n\e[0m"
+    fi
+    cleanup_testcp
+done
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/copytests/testutil.sh b/tests/copytests/testutil.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..3ac29608c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/copytests/testutil.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+setup_testcp () {
+    if [ -d "$HOME/testcp" ]; then
+        echo "Test cannot run if testcp already exists"
+        exit 1
+    fi
+
+    mkdir ~/testcp
+}
+
+
+cleanup_testcp () {
+    rm -rf "$HOME/testcp" || rmdir "$HOME/testcp"
+}
\ No newline at end of file