For a one-off file copy, configure from(...) and into(...) directly on a Gradle Copy task. When multiple copy or archive tasks need the same sources, filters, or renaming rules, define those rules once with copySpec { ... } and attach them to each task with with(spec). Use nested from(source) { ... } blocks to keep rules specific to one source.
What CopySpec does
A CopySpec describes how Gradle selects and processes files: it can define sources, destination paths, include and exclude patterns, file relocation, renaming, and content filters. A spec can also contain child specs, so broad rules and source-specific exceptions can be composed. See Gradle’s CopySpec API reference.
Gradle’s built-in Copy task implements CopySpec. Its task configuration is therefore itself a copy specification; an ordinary file-copy operation does not require a custom task. The Copy API reference describes it as a task that “Copies files into a destination directory.”
Configure a one-off copy inline
When only one task needs a set of copy rules, put the sources and destination directly on the task. This Groovy DSL example registers a task to copy documentation:
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tasks.register('copyDocs', Copy) {
from('src/main/doc')
into(layout.buildDirectory.dir('target/doc'))
}The task’s from(...) identifies the source and into(...) sets the destination. This is the clearest approach when the rules are not shared.
Reuse rules with copySpec and with
Define a reusable spec when multiple tasks should select or transform the same files in the same way. The following Groovy DSL example selects web assets and removes “-staging” from matching filenames:
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def webAssets = copySpec {
from('src/main/webapp') {
include '**/*.html', '**/*.png', '**/*.jpg'
rename '(.+)-staging(.+)', '$1$2'
}
}
tasks.register('copyAssets', Copy) {
into(layout.buildDirectory.dir('inPlaceApp'))
with(webAssets)
}copySpec { ... } creates the shared specification; with(webAssets) adds it to the receiving task. Gradle’s Working With Files guide demonstrates a reusable spec attached to both a Copy task and an archive task.
Keep destinations on receiving tasks
Reusing a spec shares copy rules; it does not automatically assign a different output directory to each task. Set into(...) on each receiving task when their destinations differ. A shared spec can supply the same selected content and transformations to a directory copy and to an archive operation.
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Kotlin DSL
The same pattern is available in Kotlin DSL: create a spec with copySpec { ... }, configure it with from(...) and include(...), then attach it with with(spec). Use Kotlin syntax and task registration appropriate to the Gradle version in your project; the official Working With Files guide includes a Kotlin DSL example.
Scope rules to the right source
A from(source) { ... } block creates a child spec for that source. This lets you apply a rule only to one input while retaining applicable parent rules elsewhere. For example, put a general destination or selection rule at the parent level, then place a narrower include pattern or rename in the relevant source block. Gradle documents the hierarchy and supported file notation in the CopySpec API reference and Copy DSL reference.
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Sources may use supported Gradle project file notation, including paths and file collections or trees. A nested into(...) can add a destination subpath within the hierarchy. Because parent and child destinations and patterns can compose, check the resulting output layout when nesting them rather than assuming every file lands directly in the task’s top-level destination.
Rename files and filter content carefully
Regex renaming
Gradle’s regex rename form uses Java regular-expression syntax. Capture groups in the pattern can be referenced in the replacement as $1, $2, and so on. In the example above, (.+)-staging(.+) captures text on either side of “-staging,” and $1$2 joins those parts. A filename that does not match the pattern keeps its original name. See the Copy DSL reference.
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Content filters
Copy specs can also filter file contents, not just filenames. Limit content transformations to text inputs that should change; applying text-oriented filters indiscriminately to binary assets can corrupt them. Gradle documents filter methods in the CopySpec API reference and the Copy API reference.
Choose the right shape
- One task, one set of rules: configure
from(...)andinto(...)inline. - Several tasks, shared sources or transformations: define a
copySpeconce and add it to each task withwith(...). - Rules that apply only to one input: put them in that source’s nested
from(source) { ... }block. - Different output locations: set
into(...)on each receiving task rather than expecting the reusable spec to choose them.
These APIs are documented in Gradle’s current references, which surfaced as API/DSL versions 9.7.1 and 9.8.0. Those version labels identify the documentation pages, not a recommendation to upgrade every project to those versions.
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