How to save cURL output to file

When cURL fetches data, it generally prints the response to standard output, suitable for quick checks but not for long-term storage or comprehensive analysis.

Using shell redirection, --output, or --remote-name, cURL can save responses directly into files. Preserving content locally simplifies reviewing large or binary files and enables offline examination or automated processing.

Storing output ensures that valuable information is retained, facilitating deeper inspection, historical comparisons, and convenient integration into scripts or workflows.

1. Open a terminal.
2. Redirect output to a file using shell redirection.

   $ curl "https://www.example.com/" > output.txt

3. Append new data to an existing file instead of overwriting.

   $ curl "https://www.example.com/" >> output.txt

   Appending helps track incremental changes over time.

4. Separate errors from standard output.

   $ curl "https://invalid.url" 2> errorlog.txt

   2 redirects error messages to a distinct file.

5. Combine standard output and errors into one file.

   $ curl "https://invalid.url" > output.txt 2>&1

   Merging output streams simplifies debugging in a single file.

6. Use --output to specify the filename directly.

   $ curl --output customname.jpg "https://www.example.com/image.jpg"

   --output offers explicit naming for downloaded files.

7. Use --remote-name to save files with their remote names.

   $ curl --remote-name "https://www.example.com/image.jpg"

   --remote-name uses the server's filename, convenient for direct mirroring.

8. Review saved files using appropriate tools.

   $ cat output.txt

   Use text editors or image viewers depending on the file type.