# Many Files as One: tar and zip

An archive packs a whole folder into one file you can send, back up or download; tar -czf makes a .tar.gz, tar -tzf lists one, tar -xzf unpacks it, and zip makes the .zip files any computer opens.

![Cheat sheet for the lesson Many Files as One: tar and zip: An archive packs a whole folder into one file you can send, back up or download; tar -czf makes a .tar.gz, tar -tzf lists one, tar -xzf unpacks it, and zip makes the .zip files any computer opens.](https://fsdtrainingmedia.blob.core.windows.net/public/images/2026/11/5822fd324b0d4ed3b6a8c04b49c459ae.webp)

- Category: Bash
- Level: Apprentice
- Tags: archive, compression, linux, tar, unix, zip-and-unzip
- Updated: November 10, 2026

Source: https://www.ask-codey.com/cheat-sheets/bash-archives-cheat-sheet