Create Directory¶

Zero-dependency Python snippets for creating directories using the standard library.

4 snippets available in this sub-category.

Simple¶

Create single directory¶

directory create mkdir os

Create a single directory

import os

os.mkdir("new_directory")

Notes

Creates one directory level
Raises OSError if directory exists
Raises OSError if parent doesn't exist

Create directory safely¶

directory create mkdir error-handling os

Create directory with error handling

import os

try:
    os.mkdir("new_directory")
    print("Directory created successfully")
except FileExistsError:
    print("Directory already exists")
except OSError as e:
    print(f"Error creating directory: {e}")

Notes

Handles case where directory exists
Provides clear error messages
Safe for scripts that may run multiple times

Complex¶

Create directory if not exists¶

directory create exists check os

Create directory only if it doesn't already exist

import os


def create_directory_if_not_exists(directory):
    """Create directory only if it doesn't exist."""
    if not os.path.exists(directory):
        try:
            os.mkdir(directory)
            print(f"Directory '{directory}' created successfully")
            return True
        except OSError as e:
            print(f"Error creating directory '{directory}': {e}")
            return False
    else:
        print(f"Directory '{directory}' already exists")
        return True


create_directory_if_not_exists("my_directory")

Notes

Checks existence before creating
Prevents errors from existing directories
Returns success/failure status
Useful for setup scripts

Create directory with permissions¶

directory create permissions mode stat os

Create directory with specific file permissions

import os


def create_directory_with_permissions(directory, mode=0o755):
    """Create directory with specific permissions."""
    try:
        os.mkdir(directory, mode)
        print(f"Directory '{directory}' created with permissions {oct(mode)}")
        return True
    except FileExistsError:
        print(f"Directory '{directory}' already exists")
        return True
    except OSError as e:
        print(f"Error creating directory '{directory}': {e}")
        return False


# Create directory with read/write/execute for owner, read/execute for others
create_directory_with_permissions("secure_dir", 0o755)

# Create directory with read/write for owner only
create_directory_with_permissions("private_dir", 0o700)

Notes

Sets specific file permissions
0o755 = rwxr-xr-x (common for directories)
0o700 = rwx------ (private directory)
Useful for security-conscious applications

🔗 Cross-References¶

Reference: See 📂 Directory Exists
Reference: See 📂 Create Nested Directories

🏷️ Tags¶

file, directory, create, os, mkdir, io

📝 Notes¶

Use os.mkdir() to create a single directory
Use os.makedirs() for nested directories
Useful for setup and automation