diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index dfdc89940..cb3902b81 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -129,6 +129,7 @@ Nu adheres closely to a set of goals that make up its design philosophy. As feat
 | cd path | Change to a new path |
 | cp source path | Copy files |
 | ls (path) | View the contents of the current or given path |
+| mkdir path | Make directories, creates intermediary directories as required. |
 | date (--utc) | Get the current datetime |
 | ps | View current processes |
 | sys | View information about the current system |
diff --git a/src/cli.rs b/src/cli.rs
index f9223f66e..4fac51167 100644
--- a/src/cli.rs
+++ b/src/cli.rs
@@ -182,6 +182,7 @@ pub async fn cli() -> Result<(), Box<dyn Error>> {
             Arc::new(Remove),
             Arc::new(Copycp),
             Arc::new(Open),
+            Arc::new(Mkdir),
             Arc::new(Date),
             Arc::new(Where),
             Arc::new(Config),
diff --git a/src/commands.rs b/src/commands.rs
index 6f551421f..e9ef8b244 100644
--- a/src/commands.rs
+++ b/src/commands.rs
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ crate mod get;
 crate mod lines;
 crate mod ls;
 crate mod next;
+crate mod mkdir;
 crate mod open;
 crate mod pick;
 crate mod plugin;
@@ -54,6 +55,7 @@ crate use cp::Copycp;
 crate use date::Date;
 crate use exit::Exit;
 crate use open::Open;
+crate use mkdir::Mkdir;
 crate use rm::Remove;
 crate use save::Save;
 crate use skip_while::SkipWhile;
diff --git a/src/commands/cp.rs b/src/commands/cp.rs
index f1acfc506..de0f8129c 100644
--- a/src/commands/cp.rs
+++ b/src/commands/cp.rs
@@ -31,11 +31,79 @@ impl Command for Copycp {
     }
 }
 
+#[derive(Debug, Eq, Ord, PartialEq, PartialOrd)]
+pub struct Res {
+    pub loc: PathBuf,
+    pub at: usize,
+}
+
+impl Res {}
+
+pub struct FileStructure {
+    root: PathBuf,
+    resources: Vec<Res>,
+}
+
+impl FileStructure {
+    pub fn new() -> FileStructure {
+        FileStructure {
+            root: PathBuf::new(),
+            resources: Vec::<Res>::new(),
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn set_root(&mut self, path: &Path) {
+        self.root = path.to_path_buf();
+    }
+
+    pub fn paths_applying_with<F>(&mut self, to: F) -> Vec<(PathBuf, PathBuf)>
+    where
+        F: Fn((PathBuf, usize)) -> (PathBuf, PathBuf),
+    {
+        self.resources
+            .iter()
+            .map(|f| (PathBuf::from(&f.loc), f.at))
+            .map(|f| to(f))
+            .collect()
+    }
+
+    pub fn walk_decorate(&mut self, start_path: &Path) {
+        self.set_root(&dunce::canonicalize(start_path).unwrap());
+        self.resources = Vec::<Res>::new();
+        self.build(start_path, 0);
+        self.resources.sort();
+    }
+
+    fn build(&mut self, src: &'a Path, lvl: usize) {
+        let source = dunce::canonicalize(src).unwrap();
+
+        if source.is_dir() {
+            for entry in std::fs::read_dir(&source).unwrap() {
+                let entry = entry.unwrap();
+                let path = entry.path();
+
+                if path.is_dir() {
+                    self.build(&path, lvl + 1);
+                }
+
+                self.resources.push(Res {
+                    loc: path.to_path_buf(),
+                    at: lvl,
+                });
+            }
+        } else {
+            self.resources.push(Res {
+                loc: source,
+                at: lvl,
+            });
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 pub fn cp(args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
     let mut source = PathBuf::from(args.shell_manager.path());
     let mut destination = PathBuf::from(args.shell_manager.path());
-
-    let mut dst = String::new();
+    let name_span = args.call_info.name_span;
 
     match args
         .nth(0)
@@ -55,26 +123,283 @@ pub fn cp(args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
         .as_str()
     {
         file => {
-            dst.push_str(file);
             destination.push(file);
         }
     }
 
-    if destination.is_dir() {
-        if source.is_file() {
-            let file_name = source.file_name().expect("");
-            let file_name = file_name.to_str().expect("");
-            destination.push(Path::new(file_name));
-        } else if source.is_dir() {
-            return Err(ShellError::string(&format!(
-                "{:?} is a directory (not copied)",
-                source.to_string_lossy()
-            )));
+    let sources = glob::glob(&source.to_string_lossy());
+
+    if sources.is_err() {
+        return Err(ShellError::labeled_error(
+            "Invalid pattern.",
+            "Invalid pattern.",
+            args.nth(0).unwrap().span(),
+        ));
+    }
+
+    let sources: Vec<_> = sources.unwrap().collect();
+
+    if sources.len() == 1 {
+        if let Ok(entry) = &sources[0] {
+            if entry.is_dir() && !args.has("recursive") {
+                return Err(ShellError::labeled_error(
+                    "is a directory (not copied). Try using \"--recursive\".",
+                    "is a directory (not copied). Try using \"--recursive\".",
+                    args.nth(0).unwrap().span(),
+                ));
+            }
+
+            let mut sources: FileStructure = FileStructure::new();
+
+            sources.walk_decorate(&entry);
+
+            if entry.is_file() {
+                let strategy = |(source_file, _depth_level)| {
+                    if destination.exists() {
+                        let mut new_dst = dunce::canonicalize(destination.clone()).unwrap();
+                        new_dst.push(entry.file_name().unwrap());
+                        (source_file, new_dst)
+                    } else {
+                        (source_file, destination.clone())
+                    }
+                };
+
+                for (ref src, ref dst) in sources.paths_applying_with(strategy) {
+                    if src.is_file() {
+                        match std::fs::copy(src, dst) {
+                            Err(e) => {
+                                return Err(ShellError::labeled_error(
+                                    e.to_string(),
+                                    e.to_string(),
+                                    name_span,
+                                ));
+                            }
+                            Ok(o) => o,
+                        };
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+
+            if entry.is_dir() {
+                if !destination.exists() {
+                    match std::fs::create_dir_all(&destination) {
+                        Err(e) => {
+                            return Err(ShellError::labeled_error(
+                                e.to_string(),
+                                e.to_string(),
+                                name_span,
+                            ));
+                        }
+                        Ok(o) => o,
+                    };
+
+                    let strategy = |(source_file, depth_level)| {
+                        let mut new_dst = destination.clone();
+                        let path = dunce::canonicalize(&source_file).unwrap();
+
+                        let mut comps: Vec<_> = path
+                            .components()
+                            .map(|fragment| fragment.as_os_str())
+                            .rev()
+                            .take(1 + depth_level)
+                            .collect();
+
+                        comps.reverse();
+
+                        for fragment in comps.iter() {
+                            new_dst.push(fragment);
+                        }
+
+                        (PathBuf::from(&source_file), PathBuf::from(new_dst))
+                    };
+
+                    for (ref src, ref dst) in sources.paths_applying_with(strategy) {
+                        if src.is_dir() {
+                            if !dst.exists() {
+                                match std::fs::create_dir_all(dst) {
+                                    Err(e) => {
+                                        return Err(ShellError::labeled_error(
+                                            e.to_string(),
+                                            e.to_string(),
+                                            name_span,
+                                        ));
+                                    }
+                                    Ok(o) => o,
+                                };
+                            }
+                        }
+
+                        if src.is_file() {
+                            match std::fs::copy(src, dst) {
+                                Err(e) => {
+                                    return Err(ShellError::labeled_error(
+                                        e.to_string(),
+                                        e.to_string(),
+                                        name_span,
+                                    ));
+                                }
+                                Ok(o) => o,
+                            };
+                        }
+                    }
+                } else {
+                    destination.push(entry.file_name().unwrap());
+
+                    match std::fs::create_dir_all(&destination) {
+                        Err(e) => {
+                            return Err(ShellError::labeled_error(
+                                e.to_string(),
+                                e.to_string(),
+                                name_span,
+                            ));
+                        }
+                        Ok(o) => o,
+                    };
+
+                    let strategy = |(source_file, depth_level)| {
+                        let mut new_dst = dunce::canonicalize(&destination).unwrap();
+                        let path = dunce::canonicalize(&source_file).unwrap();
+
+                        let mut comps: Vec<_> = path
+                            .components()
+                            .map(|fragment| fragment.as_os_str())
+                            .rev()
+                            .take(1 + depth_level)
+                            .collect();
+
+                        comps.reverse();
+
+                        for fragment in comps.iter() {
+                            new_dst.push(fragment);
+                        }
+
+                        (PathBuf::from(&source_file), PathBuf::from(new_dst))
+                    };
+
+                    for (ref src, ref dst) in sources.paths_applying_with(strategy) {
+                        if src.is_dir() {
+                            if !dst.exists() {
+                                match std::fs::create_dir_all(dst) {
+                                    Err(e) => {
+                                        return Err(ShellError::labeled_error(
+                                            e.to_string(),
+                                            e.to_string(),
+                                            name_span,
+                                        ));
+                                    }
+                                    Ok(o) => o,
+                                };
+                            }
+                        }
+
+                        if src.is_file() {
+                            match std::fs::copy(src, dst) {
+                                Err(e) => {
+                                    return Err(ShellError::labeled_error(
+                                        e.to_string(),
+                                        e.to_string(),
+                                        name_span,
+                                    ));
+                                }
+                                Ok(o) => o,
+                            };
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    } else {
+        if destination.exists() {
+            if !sources.iter().all(|x| (x.as_ref().unwrap()).is_file()) && !args.has("recursive") {
+                return Err(ShellError::labeled_error(
+                    "Copy aborted (directories found). Try using \"--recursive\".",
+                    "Copy aborted (directories found). Try using \"--recursive\".",
+                    args.nth(0).unwrap().span(),
+                ));
+            }
+
+            for entry in sources {
+                if let Ok(entry) = entry {
+                    let mut to = PathBuf::from(&destination);
+                    to.push(&entry.file_name().unwrap());
+
+                    match std::fs::copy(&entry, &to) {
+                        Err(e) => {
+                            return Err(ShellError::labeled_error(
+                                e.to_string(),
+                                e.to_string(),
+                                name_span,
+                            ));
+                        }
+                        Ok(o) => o,
+                    };
+                }
+            }
+        } else {
+            return Err(ShellError::labeled_error(
+                format!(
+                    "Copy aborted. (Does {:?} exist?)",
+                    &destination.file_name().unwrap()
+                ),
+                format!(
+                    "Copy aborted. (Does {:?} exist?)",
+                    &destination.file_name().unwrap()
+                ),
+                args.nth(1).unwrap().span(),
+            ));
         }
     }
 
-    match std::fs::copy(source, destination) {
-        Err(_error) => Err(ShellError::string("can not copy file")),
-        Ok(_) => Ok(OutputStream::empty()),
+    Ok(OutputStream::empty())
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+
+    use super::{FileStructure, Res};
+    use std::path::PathBuf;
+
+    fn fixtures() -> PathBuf {
+        let mut sdx = PathBuf::new();
+        sdx.push("tests");
+        sdx.push("fixtures");
+        sdx.push("formats");
+        dunce::canonicalize(sdx).unwrap()
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn prepares_and_decorates_source_files_for_copying() {
+        let mut res = FileStructure::new();
+        res.walk_decorate(fixtures().as_path());
+
+        assert_eq!(
+            res.resources,
+            vec![
+                Res {
+                    loc: fixtures().join("appveyor.yml"),
+                    at: 0
+                },
+                Res {
+                    loc: fixtures().join("caco3_plastics.csv"),
+                    at: 0
+                },
+                Res {
+                    loc: fixtures().join("cargo_sample.toml"),
+                    at: 0
+                },
+                Res {
+                    loc: fixtures().join("jonathan.xml"),
+                    at: 0
+                },
+                Res {
+                    loc: fixtures().join("sample.ini"),
+                    at: 0
+                },
+                Res {
+                    loc: fixtures().join("sgml_description.json"),
+                    at: 0
+                }
+            ]
+        );
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/commands/mkdir.rs b/src/commands/mkdir.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..5dccb2810
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/commands/mkdir.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+use crate::errors::ShellError;
+use crate::parser::hir::SyntaxType;
+use crate::parser::registry::{CommandConfig, NamedType, PositionalType};
+use crate::prelude::*;
+use indexmap::IndexMap;
+use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
+
+pub struct Mkdir;
+
+impl Command for Mkdir {
+    fn run(&self, args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
+        mkdir(args)
+    }
+
+    fn name(&self) -> &str {
+        "mkdir"
+    }
+
+    fn config(&self) -> CommandConfig {
+        let named: IndexMap<String, NamedType> = IndexMap::new();
+
+        CommandConfig {
+            name: self.name().to_string(),
+            positional: vec![PositionalType::mandatory("file", SyntaxType::Path)],
+            rest_positional: false,
+            named,
+            is_sink: false,
+            is_filter: false,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+pub fn mkdir(args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
+    let mut full_path = PathBuf::from(args.shell_manager.path());
+
+    match &args.nth(0) {
+        Some(Tagged { item: value, .. }) => full_path.push(Path::new(&value.as_string()?)),
+        _ => {}
+    }
+
+    match std::fs::create_dir_all(full_path) {
+        Err(reason) => Err(ShellError::labeled_error(
+            reason.to_string(),
+            reason.to_string(),
+            args.nth(0).unwrap().span(),
+        )),
+        Ok(_) => Ok(OutputStream::empty()),
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/commands/rm.rs b/src/commands/rm.rs
index aa0d10c43..c57446bcf 100644
--- a/src/commands/rm.rs
+++ b/src/commands/rm.rs
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ pub fn rm(args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
                     if !args.has("recursive") {
                         return Err(ShellError::labeled_error(
                             "is a directory",
-                            "",
+                            "is a directory",
                             args.call_info.name_span,
                         ));
                     }
diff --git a/tests/command_cd_tests.rs b/tests/command_cd_tests.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..626a59f79
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/command_cd_tests.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+mod helpers;
+
+use helpers::in_directory as cwd;
+use helpers::Playground;
+
+#[test]
+fn cd_directory_not_found() {
+    let sandbox = Playground::setup_for("cd_directory_not_found_test").test_dir_name();
+
+    let full_path = format!("{}/{}", Playground::root(), sandbox);
+
+    nu_error!(output, cwd(&full_path), "cd dir_that_does_not_exist");
+
+    assert!(output.contains("dir_that_does_not_exist"));
+    assert!(output.contains("directory not found"));
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/command_cp_tests.rs b/tests/command_cp_tests.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ef2a68c36
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/command_cp_tests.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,169 @@
+mod helpers;
+
+use h::{in_directory as cwd, Playground, Stub::*};
+use helpers as h;
+
+use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
+
+#[test]
+fn copies_a_file() {
+    let sandbox = Playground::setup_for("cp_test").test_dir_name();
+
+    let full_path = format!("{}/{}", Playground::root(), sandbox);
+    let expected_file = format!("{}/{}", full_path, "sample.ini");
+
+    nu!(
+        _output,
+        cwd(&Playground::root()),
+        "cp ../formats/sample.ini cp_test/sample.ini"
+    );
+
+    assert!(h::file_exists_at(PathBuf::from(expected_file)));
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn copies_the_file_inside_directory_if_path_to_copy_is_directory() {
+    let sandbox = Playground::setup_for("cp_test_2").test_dir_name();
+
+    let full_path = format!("{}/{}", Playground::root(), sandbox);
+    let expected_file = format!("{}/{}", full_path, "sample.ini");
+
+    nu!(
+        _output,
+        cwd(&Playground::root()),
+        "cp ../formats/sample.ini cp_test_2"
+    );
+
+    assert!(h::file_exists_at(PathBuf::from(expected_file)));
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn error_if_attempting_to_copy_a_directory_to_another_directory() {
+    Playground::setup_for("cp_test_3");
+
+    nu_error!(output, cwd(&Playground::root()), "cp ../formats cp_test_3");
+
+    assert!(output.contains("../formats"));
+    assert!(output.contains("is a directory (not copied)"));
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn copies_the_directory_inside_directory_if_path_to_copy_is_directory_and_with_recursive_flag() {
+    let sandbox = Playground::setup_for("cp_test_4")
+        .within("originals")
+        .with_files(vec![
+            EmptyFile("yehuda.txt"),
+            EmptyFile("jonathan.txt"),
+            EmptyFile("andres.txt"),
+        ])
+        .within("copies_expected")
+        .test_dir_name();
+
+    let full_path = format!("{}/{}", Playground::root(), sandbox);
+    let expected_dir = format!("{}/{}", full_path, "copies_expected/originals");
+
+    nu!(
+        _output,
+        cwd(&full_path),
+        "cp originals copies_expected --recursive"
+    );
+
+    assert!(h::dir_exists_at(PathBuf::from(&expected_dir)));
+    assert!(h::files_exist_at(
+        vec![
+            Path::new("yehuda.txt"),
+            Path::new("jonathan.txt"),
+            Path::new("andres.txt")
+        ],
+        PathBuf::from(&expected_dir)
+    ));
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn deep_copies_with_recursive_flag() {
+    r#" 
+    Given these files and directories
+        originals
+        originals/manifest.txt
+        originals/contributors
+        originals/contributors/yehuda.txt
+        originals/contributors/jonathan.txt
+        originals/contributors/andres.txt
+        originals/contributors/jonathan
+        originals/contributors/jonathan/errors.txt
+        originals/contributors/jonathan/multishells.txt
+        originals/contributors/andres
+        originals/contributors/andres/coverage.txt
+        originals/contributors/andres/commands.txt
+        originals/contributors/yehuda
+        originals/contributors/yehuda/defer-evaluation.txt
+    "#;
+
+    let sandbox = Playground::setup_for("cp_test_5")
+        .within("originals")
+        .with_files(vec![EmptyFile("manifest.txt")])
+        .within("originals/contributors")
+        .with_files(vec![
+            EmptyFile("yehuda.txt"),
+            EmptyFile("jonathan.txt"),
+            EmptyFile("andres.txt"),
+        ])
+        .within("originals/contributors/jonathan")
+        .with_files(vec![EmptyFile("errors.txt"), EmptyFile("multishells.txt")])
+        .within("originals/contributors/andres")
+        .with_files(vec![EmptyFile("coverage.txt"), EmptyFile("commands.txt")])
+        .within("originals/contributors/yehuda")
+        .with_files(vec![EmptyFile("defer-evaluation.txt")])
+        .within("copies_expected")
+        .test_dir_name();
+
+    let full_path = format!("{}/{}", Playground::root(), sandbox);
+    let expected_dir = format!("{}/{}", full_path, "copies_expected/originals");
+
+    let jonathans_expected_copied_dir = format!("{}/contributors/jonathan", expected_dir);
+    let andres_expected_copied_dir = format!("{}/contributors/andres", expected_dir);
+    let yehudas_expected_copied_dir = format!("{}/contributors/yehuda", expected_dir);
+
+    nu!(
+        _output,
+        cwd(&full_path),
+        "cp originals copies_expected --recursive"
+    );
+
+    assert!(h::dir_exists_at(PathBuf::from(&expected_dir)));
+    assert!(h::files_exist_at(
+        vec![Path::new("errors.txt"), Path::new("multishells.txt")],
+        PathBuf::from(&jonathans_expected_copied_dir)
+    ));
+    assert!(h::files_exist_at(
+        vec![Path::new("coverage.txt"), Path::new("commands.txt")],
+        PathBuf::from(&andres_expected_copied_dir)
+    ));
+    assert!(h::files_exist_at(
+        vec![Path::new("defer-evaluation.txt")],
+        PathBuf::from(&yehudas_expected_copied_dir)
+    ));
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn copies_using_globs() {
+    let sandbox = Playground::setup_for("cp_test_6").test_dir_name();
+    let expected_copies_path = format!("{}/{}", Playground::root(), sandbox);
+
+    nu!(
+        _output,
+        cwd(&Playground::root()),
+        "cp ../formats/* cp_test_6"
+    );
+
+    assert!(h::files_exist_at(
+        vec![
+            Path::new("caco3_plastics.csv"),
+            Path::new("cargo_sample.toml"),
+            Path::new("jonathan.xml"),
+            Path::new("sample.ini"),
+            Path::new("sgml_description.json")
+        ],
+        PathBuf::from(&expected_copies_path)
+    ));
+}
diff --git a/tests/command_mkdir_tests.rs b/tests/command_mkdir_tests.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9cbb10755
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/command_mkdir_tests.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+mod helpers;
+
+use h::{in_directory as cwd, Playground};
+use helpers as h;
+use std::path::PathBuf;
+
+#[test]
+fn creates_directory() {
+    let sandbox = Playground::setup_for("mkdir_test").test_dir_name();
+
+    let full_path = format!("{}/{}", Playground::root(), sandbox);
+
+    nu!(_output, cwd(&full_path), "mkdir my_new_directory");
+
+    let mut expected = PathBuf::from(full_path);
+    expected.push("my_new_directory");
+
+    assert!(h::dir_exists_at(expected));
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn creates_intermediary_directories() {
+    let sandbox = Playground::setup_for("mkdir_test_2").test_dir_name();
+
+    let full_path = format!("{}/{}", Playground::root(), sandbox);
+
+    nu!(
+        _output,
+        cwd(&full_path),
+        "mkdir some_folder/another/deeper_one"
+    );
+
+    let mut expected = PathBuf::from(full_path);
+    expected.push("some_folder/another/deeper_one");
+
+    assert!(h::dir_exists_at(expected));
+}
diff --git a/tests/commands_test.rs b/tests/commands_test.rs
index a1699a8d8..145793402 100644
--- a/tests/commands_test.rs
+++ b/tests/commands_test.rs
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ mod helpers;
 
 use h::{in_directory as cwd, Playground, Stub::*};
 use helpers as h;
-use std::path::PathBuf;
+use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
 
 #[test]
 fn lines() {
@@ -129,48 +129,6 @@ fn save_can_write_out_csv() {
     assert!(actual.contains("[list list],A shell for the GitHub era,2018,ISC,nu,0.2.0"));
 }
 
-#[test]
-fn cp_can_copy_a_file() {
-    let sandbox = Playground::setup_for("cp_test").test_dir_name();
-
-    let full_path = format!("{}/{}", Playground::root(), sandbox);
-    let expected_file = format!("{}/{}", full_path, "sample.ini");
-
-    nu!(
-        _output,
-        cwd(&Playground::root()),
-        "cp ../formats/sample.ini cp_test/sample.ini"
-    );
-
-    assert!(h::file_exists_at(&expected_file));
-}
-
-#[test]
-fn cp_copies_the_file_inside_directory_if_path_to_copy_is_directory() {
-    let sandbox = Playground::setup_for("cp_test_2").test_dir_name();
-
-    let full_path = format!("{}/{}", Playground::root(), sandbox);
-    let expected_file = format!("{}/{}", full_path, "sample.ini");
-
-    nu!(
-        _output,
-        cwd(&Playground::root()),
-        "cp ../formats/sample.ini cp_test_2"
-    );
-
-    assert!(h::file_exists_at(&expected_file));
-}
-
-#[test]
-fn cp_error_if_attempting_to_copy_a_directory_to_another_directory() {
-    Playground::setup_for("cp_test_3");
-
-    nu_error!(output, cwd(&Playground::root()), "cp ../formats cp_test_3");
-
-    assert!(output.contains("../formats"));
-    assert!(output.contains("is a directory (not copied)"));
-}
-
 #[test]
 fn rm_removes_a_file() {
     let sandbox = Playground::setup_for("rm_test")
@@ -183,12 +141,14 @@ fn rm_removes_a_file() {
         "rm rm_test/i_will_be_deleted.txt"
     );
 
-    assert!(!h::file_exists_at(&format!(
+    let path = &format!(
         "{}/{}/{}",
         Playground::root(),
         sandbox,
         "i_will_be_deleted.txt"
-    )));
+    );
+
+    assert!(!h::file_exists_at(PathBuf::from(path)));
 }
 
 #[test]
@@ -243,21 +203,13 @@ fn rm_removes_files_with_wildcard() {
         "rm \"src/*/*/*.rs\""
     );
 
-    assert!(!h::file_exists_at(&format!(
-        "{}/src/parser/parse/token_tree.rs",
-        full_path
-    )));
-    assert!(!h::file_exists_at(&format!(
-        "{}/src/parser/hir/baseline_parse.rs",
-        full_path
-    )));
-    assert!(!h::file_exists_at(&format!(
-        "{}/src/parser/hir/baseline_parse_tokens.rs",
-        full_path
-    )));
+    assert!(!h::files_exist_at(vec![
+        Path::new("src/parser/parse/token_tree.rs"), 
+        Path::new("src/parser/hir/baseline_parse.rs"), 
+        Path::new("src/parser/hir/baseline_parse_tokens.rs")], PathBuf::from(&full_path)));
 
     assert_eq!(
-        Playground::glob_vec(&format!("{}/src/*/*/*.rs", full_path)),
+        Playground::glob_vec(&format!("{}/src/*/*/*.rs", &full_path)),
         Vec::<PathBuf>::new()
     );
 }
@@ -278,11 +230,13 @@ fn rm_removes_directory_contents_with_recursive_flag() {
         "rm rm_test_recursive --recursive"
     );
 
-    assert!(!h::file_exists_at(&format!(
+    let expected = format!(
         "{}/{}",
         Playground::root(),
         sandbox
-    )));
+    );
+
+    assert!(!h::file_exists_at(PathBuf::from(expected)));
 }
 
 #[test]
@@ -292,7 +246,7 @@ fn rm_errors_if_attempting_to_delete_a_directory_without_recursive_flag() {
 
     nu_error!(output, cwd(&Playground::root()), "rm rm_test_2");
 
-    assert!(h::file_exists_at(&full_path));
+    assert!(h::file_exists_at(PathBuf::from(full_path)));
     assert!(output.contains("is a directory"));
 }
 
diff --git a/tests/helpers/mod.rs b/tests/helpers/mod.rs
index b441f8525..5520edc5a 100644
--- a/tests/helpers/mod.rs
+++ b/tests/helpers/mod.rs
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ macro_rules! nu {
             $cwd, $commands
         );
 
-        let process = match Command::new(helpers::executable_path())
+        let mut process = match Command::new(helpers::executable_path())
             .stdin(Stdio::piped())
             .stdout(Stdio::piped())
             .spawn()
@@ -30,22 +30,18 @@ macro_rules! nu {
             Err(why) => panic!("Can't run test {}", why.description()),
         };
 
-        match process.stdin.unwrap().write_all(commands.as_bytes()) {
-            Err(why) => panic!("couldn't write to wc stdin: {}", why.description()),
-            Ok(_) => {}
-        }
+        let stdin = process.stdin.as_mut().expect("couldn't open stdin");
+        stdin
+            .write_all(commands.as_bytes())
+            .expect("couldn't write to stdin");
 
-        let mut _s = String::new();
+        let output = process
+            .wait_with_output()
+            .expect("couldn't read from stdout");
 
-        match process.stdout.unwrap().read_to_string(&mut _s) {
-            Err(why) => panic!("couldn't read stdout: {}", why.description()),
-            Ok(_) => {
-                let _s = _s.replace("\r\n", "\n");
-            }
-        }
-
-        let _s = _s.replace("\r\n", "");
-        let $out = _s.replace("\n", "");
+        let $out = String::from_utf8_lossy(&output.stdout);
+        let $out = $out.replace("\r\n", "");
+        let $out = $out.replace("\n", "");
     };
 }
 
@@ -185,8 +181,20 @@ pub fn copy_file_to(source: &str, destination: &str) {
     std::fs::copy(source, destination).expect("can not copy file");
 }
 
-pub fn file_exists_at(full_path: &str) -> bool {
-    PathBuf::from(full_path).exists()
+pub fn files_exist_at(files: Vec<&Path>, path: PathBuf) -> bool {
+    files.iter().all(|f| {
+        let mut loc = path.clone();
+        loc.push(f);
+        loc.exists()
+    })
+}
+
+pub fn file_exists_at(path: PathBuf) -> bool {
+    path.exists()
+}
+
+pub fn dir_exists_at(path: PathBuf) -> bool {
+    path.exists()
 }
 
 pub fn delete_directory_at(full_path: &str) {