'touch' is not recognized as an internal or external command

# 'touch' is not recognized as an internal or external command

The error "'touch' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file" occurs when we try to use the touch command on Windows.

To solve the error, run the npm install touch-cli -g command to be able to use the touch command.

touch is a Unix/Linux command, so it can't directly be used on Windows.

However, you can install the touch-cli npm package to be able to use the touch command on Windows.

If you don't have Node installed, you have 3 options:

• scroll down to use an alternative command.
• follow the instructions in the Installing Node.js subheading.
• use the touch command in Git Bash.

Open your CMD shell and run the following command to install touch-cli.

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npm install -g touch-cli

After you install the touch-cli package, you can use the touch command as follows.

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# 👇️ Create a zero-sized new file
touch my_file.txt

# 👇️ Update the last modified and access timestamps of an existing file
touch existing_file.txt

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# 👇️ for CMD
type nul>file_name.txt

# 👇️ for PowerShell (raises error if file exists)
New-Item file_name2.txt -type file

Make sure to replace file_name.txt with the name of the file you want to create.

You can also run the touch command directly in Git Bash. If you have git installed, type Git Bash in the Search field and start the application, otherwise, install git.

# Running the touch command in Git Bash

To download git and be able to use Git Bash:

1. Open the git downloads page and download the installer for Windows.
2. Start the installer.
3. You will be prompted to select a destination location. You can leave the default option and click Next.

4. You will be prompted to select components on the next screen. Leave the default options and click Next.

5. Click Next on the screen that prompts you to "Select Start Menu Folder".

6. On the next screen, you can choose the default editor for Git, e.g. Notepad, Notepad++ or any other editor you prefer.

7. On the "Adjust the name of the initial branch in new repositories screen", click Next.

8. On the "Adjust your PATH environment" screen, make sure you have the default option of "Git from the command line and also from 3rd-party software" option selected and click "Next".

9. For all the remaining screens, leave the default option selected and click Next.
10. Lastly, click on the Install button to install git.

Once you have git installed, click on the Search field, type "Git Bash" and start the application.

Now you can use the touch command directly in Git Bash.

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# 👇️ Create a zero-sized new file
touch my_file.txt

# 👇️ Update the last modified and access timestamps of an existing file
touch existing_file.txt

If you need to open Git Bash in a specific folder:

1. Open the folder in a new window.
2. Right-click in Explorer.

3. Click "Git Bash Here".

Now you can use the touch command to create a new file.

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# 👇️ Create a zero-sized new file
touch my_file.txt

# 👇️ Update the last modified and access timestamps of an existing file
touch existing_file.txt

Alternatively, you can install Node.js to be able to use npm to install the touch-cli package.

# Installing Node.js to be able to use touch on Windows

To install Node:

1. Open the nodejs.org page and download the Windows installer for the LTS (long-term supported) version.

2. Start the installer and click Next on the Welcome screen.

3. Accept the End-User License Agreement and click Next.

4. Leave the default destination folder selected and click Next.

5. On the "Custom Setup" screen, click Next.

6. You can optionally install tools for native modules, otherwise, click Next.

7. On the next screen, click on the Install button.

8. Lastly, click on the Finish button.

9. You can start a new CMD shell and use the npm --version command to make sure Node is installed.

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npm --version

node --version

Open your CMD shell and run the following command to install touch-cli.

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npm install -g touch-cli

After you install the touch-cli package, you can use the touch command as follows.

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# 👇️ Create a zero-sized new file
touch my_file.txt

# 👇️ Update the last modified and access timestamps of an existing file
touch existing_file.txt

# Additional Resources

You can learn more about the related topics by checking out the following tutorials:

• How to install Homebrew on Windows
• How to install and use 'jq' on Windows
• How to install and use 'AWK' on Windows
• 'make' is not recognized as an internal or external command
• 'ping' is not recognized as an internal or external command
• rm or mv is not recognized as internal or external command