> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.langchain.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Command reference > Deep Agents Code command-line flags and management subcommands Deep Agents Code (`dcode`) accepts command-line flags at launch and exposes management subcommands for agents, sessions, skills, credentials, and configuration. Use this page as a reference when you need to override defaults from the shell, run non-interactive tasks in scripts, or automate administration without opening a session. For installation and daily interactive use, see [Quickstart](/oss/javascript/deepagents/code/quickstart). For how CLI flags fit into the broader configuration model, see [Configuration](/oss/javascript/deepagents/code/configuration). ## Example usage ```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"catppuccin-latte","dark":"catppuccin-mocha"}} # Use a specific agent configuration dcode --agent mybot # Use a specific model (provider:model format or auto-detect) dcode --model anthropic:claude-opus-4-8 dcode --model gpt-5.5 # Auto-approve tool usage (skip human-in-the-loop prompts) dcode -y # List directory contents, then summarize directory as first prompt—the command runs first, then the prompt is submitted # The prompt does NOT have access to the command output dcode --startup-cmd "ls -la" -m "Summarize what's in this directory" # Non-interactive with startup command: show git status before the task runs # The task does NOT have access to the command output dcode --startup-cmd "git diff --stat" -n "Review these changes" ``` ## Choose a model Launch with `--model` (`-M`) to pin a model for one session. Use the `provider:model` format (for example, `openai:gpt-5.5`) or pass a bare model name when the provider is unambiguous: ```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"catppuccin-latte","dark":"catppuccin-mocha"}} dcode --model anthropic:claude-opus-4-8 dcode --model openai:gpt-5.5 dcode --model fireworks:accounts/fireworks/models/deepseek-v4-pro ``` When Deep Agents Code starts without `--model`, it resolves the model in this order: 1. **`--model` flag** when provided. 2. **`[models].default`** in `~/.deepagents/config.toml`. 3. **`[models].recent`** in `~/.deepagents/config.toml` (written automatically when you switch models in a session). 4. **Environment auto-detection**: the first available credential among `OPENAI_API_KEY`, `ANTHROPIC_API_KEY`, `GOOGLE_API_KEY`, and `GOOGLE_CLOUD_PROJECT` (Vertex AI). Other providers (for example, Groq or Fireworks) are still available via `--model` or saved defaults even though they are not part of the startup auto-detection list. See [Model providers](/oss/javascript/deepagents/code/providers) for the full provider list and credential setup. ### Set or clear a default model Persist a default model for all future launches: ```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"catppuccin-latte","dark":"catppuccin-mocha"}} # Set the default dcode --default-model anthropic:claude-opus-4-8 # View the current default dcode --default-model # Clear the default dcode --clear-default-model ``` You can also pin a default from the interactive `/model` switcher (`Ctrl+S`) or set `[models].default` in `config.toml`. See [Set a default model](/oss/javascript/deepagents/code/providers#set-a-default-model). ### Model parameters and profile overrides Pass extra constructor kwargs to the model with `--model-params` as a JSON string. These apply for the current session only and override `config.toml` provider params: ```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"catppuccin-latte","dark":"catppuccin-mocha"}} dcode --model openai:gpt-5.5 --model-params '{"reasoning": {"effort": "high"}}' dcode --model anthropic:claude-opus-4-8 --model-params '{"thinking": {"type": "enabled", "budget_tokens": 10000}, "max_tokens": 16000}' ``` Override [model profile](/oss/javascript/langchain/models#model-profiles) fields (for example, `max_input_tokens`) with `--profile-override`. Values merge on top of config file overrides and persist across mid-session `/model` hot-swaps: ```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"catppuccin-latte","dark":"catppuccin-mocha"}} dcode --profile-override '{"max_input_tokens": 4096}' dcode --model google_genai:gemini-3.5-flash --profile-override '{"max_input_tokens": 4096}' ``` For retry counts on transient errors, use `--max-retries` or the `[retries]` section in `config.toml`. See [Model parameters](/oss/javascript/deepagents/code/providers#model-parameters) and [Profile overrides](/oss/javascript/deepagents/code/config-file#profile-overrides-advanced). ### Install provider extras Optional provider and sandbox packages ship as extras. Install from the shell without launching a session: ```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"catppuccin-latte","dark":"catppuccin-mocha"}} dcode --install groq dcode --install fireworks dcode --install ollama ``` Add `--package` to install an arbitrary provider package via `uv --with` (see [Arbitrary providers](/oss/javascript/deepagents/code/config-file#arbitrary-providers)), and `--yes` to skip confirmation prompts. To preinstall extras during the initial CLI install, set `DEEPAGENTS_CODE_EXTRAS` (for example, `DEEPAGENTS_CODE_EXTRAS="groq,fireworks"`). ## Agents and sessions Use `-a`/`--agent` to launch with a named agent that has its own memory, skills, and `AGENTS.md` under `~/.deepagents//`. The flag overrides both `[agents].default` and `[agents].recent` in `config.toml`: ```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"catppuccin-latte","dark":"catppuccin-mocha"}} dcode --agent backend-dev ``` Resume a previous conversation with `-r`/`--resume`. Pass no ID to open the most recent thread, or pass a thread ID to resume a specific session. Resuming bypasses agent selection flags and restores the thread's original agent: ```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"catppuccin-latte","dark":"catppuccin-mocha"}} dcode -r dcode -r abc123-thread-id ``` List and delete sessions with `dcode threads list` and `dcode threads delete`. See [Memory and skills](/oss/javascript/deepagents/code/memory-and-skills) for how per-agent memory works. ## Non-interactive mode and piping Use `-n`/`--non-interactive` to run a single task without the interactive UI. Each non-interactive run starts a fresh thread; file-based state (memory, skills, configuration) persists across invocations: ```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"catppuccin-latte","dark":"catppuccin-mocha"}} dcode -n "Write a Python script that prints hello world" ``` When stdin is piped, Deep Agents Code runs non-interactively automatically: ```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"catppuccin-latte","dark":"catppuccin-mocha"}} echo "Explain this code" | dcode cat error.log | dcode -n "What's causing this error?" git diff | dcode -n "Review these changes" ``` When you combine piped input with `-n` or `-m`, the piped content appears first, followed by the flag text. The maximum piped input size is 10 MiB. Use `--stdin` to read from stdin explicitly instead of auto-detection. ### Output, limits, and shell access Use `-q`/`--quiet` to emit only the agent's response on stdout (for piping into other commands). Add `--no-stream` to buffer the full response before writing: ```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"catppuccin-latte","dark":"catppuccin-mocha"}} dcode -n "Generate a .gitignore for Python" -q > .gitignore dcode -n "List dependencies" -q --no-stream | sort ``` Cap agent runs in CI with `--max-turns` or `--timeout`. Both exit with code 124 when the budget is exceeded. Requires `-n` or piped stdin: ```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"catppuccin-latte","dark":"catppuccin-mocha"}} dcode -n "fix the failing tests" --max-turns 10 dcode -n "run the test suite and summarise failures" --timeout 120 ``` Shell execution is disabled by default in non-interactive mode. Enable it with `-S`/`--shell-allow-list`: ```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"catppuccin-latte","dark":"catppuccin-mocha"}} dcode -n "Run the tests and fix failures" -S "pytest,git,make" dcode -n "Build the project" -S recommended dcode -n "Fix the build" -S all ``` `-S all` lets the agent execute arbitrary shell commands with no human confirmation. For more examples and tracing setup, see [Non-interactive mode and piping](/oss/javascript/deepagents/code/quickstart#non-interactive-mode-and-piping). ## Skills at launch The `--skill` flag invokes a skill immediately on launch in interactive or non-interactive mode: ```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"catppuccin-latte","dark":"catppuccin-mocha"}} dcode --skill code-review dcode --skill code-review -m 'review the auth module' cat diff.txt | dcode --skill code-review -n 'review this patch' dcode --skill code-review -n 'review this patch' -q ``` `--skill` with `--quiet` or `--no-stream` requires `-n`. Manage skills with `dcode skills list`, `create`, `info`, and `delete`. See [Memory and skills](/oss/javascript/deepagents/code/memory-and-skills). ## Rubrics in scripts Non-interactive runs cannot pause for interactive goal review. Pass acceptance criteria with `--rubric` when criteria are already known: ```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"catppuccin-latte","dark":"catppuccin-mocha"}} dcode -n "implement OAuth refresh handling" --rubric "tests pass; no unrelated files changed" dcode -n "implement OAuth refresh handling" --rubric @acceptance.md ``` Set the grader model and iteration limit separately: ```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"catppuccin-latte","dark":"catppuccin-mocha"}} dcode -n "implement OAuth refresh handling" \ --rubric "tests pass; no unrelated files changed" \ --rubric-model openai:gpt-5.5 \ --rubric-max-iterations 3 ``` All rubric flags require `-n` or piped stdin. See [Goals and rubrics](/oss/javascript/deepagents/code/goals-and-rubrics). ## Human-in-the-loop and shell access Potentially destructive tool calls require approval by default. Skip prompts for a session with `-y`/`--auto-approve`, or toggle auto-approve with `Shift+Tab` during an interactive session: ```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"catppuccin-latte","dark":"catppuccin-mocha"}} dcode -y ``` The `-S`/`--shell-allow-list` flag applies in both interactive and non-interactive modes. Pass a comma-separated list of command names, `recommended` for safe read-only defaults, or `all` to permit any command. You can also set `DEEPAGENTS_CODE_SHELL_ALLOW_LIST` in the environment. ## Startup commands and initial prompts Use `-m`/`--message` to auto-submit an initial prompt when an interactive session starts. Combine with `--startup-cmd` to run a shell command first: ```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"catppuccin-latte","dark":"catppuccin-mocha"}} dcode --startup-cmd "git diff --stat" -m "Summarize these changes" ``` `--startup-cmd` output is rendered in the transcript for your reference but is **not** added to the agent's message history. To hand command output to the agent, pipe it via stdin instead: ```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"catppuccin-latte","dark":"catppuccin-mocha"}} git diff | dcode -n "Review these changes" ``` Non-zero exits and timeouts from `--startup-cmd` warn but do not abort the session. Non-interactive mode applies a 60-second timeout to the startup command. ## Remote sandboxes Route code execution to a remote sandbox with `--sandbox`. Built-in providers include `langsmith`, `agentcore`, `daytona`, `modal`, `runloop`, and `vercel`. Third-party and config-declared providers are also accepted. Pass `--sandbox` with no value to use `[sandboxes].default` from `config.toml`: ```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"catppuccin-latte","dark":"catppuccin-mocha"}} dcode --sandbox langsmith dcode --sandbox runloop --sandbox-id dbx_abc123 dcode --sandbox modal --sandbox-setup ./setup.sh dcode --sandbox ``` Because `--sandbox` accepts an optional value, keep the bare form **last** on the command line. Otherwise a following argument (for example, `dcode --sandbox agents`) is consumed as the flag's value. Install sandbox extras with `dcode --install` (for example, `dcode --install daytona` or `dcode --install all-sandboxes`). See [Remote sandboxes](/oss/javascript/deepagents/code/remote-sandboxes) for provider setup, working directories, and third-party providers. ## MCP flags Control MCP server loading at launch: | Flag | Behavior | | --------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | `--mcp-config PATH` | Add an explicit config as the highest-precedence source (merged on top of auto-discovered configs) | | `--no-mcp` | Disable MCP entirely | | `--trust-project-mcp` | Trust project-level stdio servers without prompting (for CI and automation) | `--mcp-config` and `--no-mcp` are mutually exclusive. In non-interactive mode, project-level stdio servers are silently skipped unless `--trust-project-mcp` is passed: ```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"catppuccin-latte","dark":"catppuccin-mocha"}} dcode --trust-project-mcp dcode -n "run tests" --trust-project-mcp ``` Run OAuth login for MCP servers marked `auth: "oauth"` with `dcode mcp login `. See [MCP tools](/oss/javascript/deepagents/code/mcp-tools). ## Command-line options | Option | Description | | ------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | `-a`, `--agent NAME` | Use named agent with separate memory. Overrides `[agents].recent` and `[agents].default` in `config.toml`. Default: `agent` (or the most recently used agent if `[agents].recent` is set) | | `-M`, `--model MODEL` | Use a specific model (`provider:model`) | | `--model-params JSON` | Extra kwargs to pass to the model as a JSON string (e.g., `'{"temperature": 0.7}'`) | | `--max-retries N` | Override the max retries for transient model errors | | `--default-model [MODEL]` | Set the [default model](/oss/javascript/deepagents/code/providers#set-a-default-model) (omit `MODEL` to view the current default) | | `--clear-default-model` | Clear the [default model](/oss/javascript/deepagents/code/providers#set-a-default-model) | | `-r`, `--resume [ID]` | Resume a session: `-r` for most recent, `-r ` for a specific thread | | `-m`, `--message TEXT` | Initial prompt to auto-submit when the session starts (interactive mode) | | `--skill NAME` | Invoke a skill at startup | | `--startup-cmd CMD` | Shell command to run at startup, before the first prompt. Output is rendered in the transcript for your reference but is **not** added to the agent's message history. To hand command output to the agent, pipe it in via stdin instead (e.g., `git diff \| dcode -n "Review these changes"`). Non-zero exits and timeouts warn but do not abort; non-interactive mode applies a 60s timeout. | | `--rubric TEXT\|@PATH` | Acceptance criteria for rubric grading. Accepts literal text or `@path` to read a file. Requires `-n` or piped stdin | | `--rubric-model MODEL` | Model the rubric grader uses. Defaults to the main agent model. Requires `-n` or piped stdin | | `--rubric-max-iterations N` | Grader iterations per rubric attempt before stopping. Requires `-n` or piped stdin | | `-n`, `--non-interactive TEXT` | Run a single task non-interactively and exit. Shell is disabled unless `--shell-allow-list` is set | | `--max-turns N` | Cap agentic turns in non-interactive mode. Exits with code 124 when exceeded. Requires `-n` or piped stdin. See [Non-interactive mode and piping](#non-interactive-mode-and-piping) | | `--timeout SECONDS` | Hard wall-clock timeout for non-interactive mode. Exits with code 124 when exceeded. Requires `-n` or piped stdin. See [Non-interactive mode and piping](#non-interactive-mode-and-piping) | | `-q`, `--quiet` | Clean output for piping—only the agent's response goes to stdout. Requires `-n` or piped stdin | | `--no-stream` | Buffer the full response and write to stdout at once instead of streaming. Requires `-n` or piped stdin | | `--stdin` | Read input from stdin explicitly instead of auto-detection. Errors clearly when stdin is unavailable or is a TTY | | `-y`, `--auto-approve` | Auto-approve all tool calls without prompting (disables human-in-the-loop). Toggle with `Shift+Tab` during an interactive session | | `-S`, `--shell-allow-list LIST` | Comma-separated shell commands to auto-approve, `'recommended'` for safe defaults, or `'all'` to allow any command. Applies to both `-n` and interactive modes | | `--json` | Emit machine-readable JSON from management subcommands (`agents`, `threads`, `skills`, `update`). Output envelope: `{"schema_version": 1, "command": "...", "data": ...}` | | `--sandbox TYPE` | Remote sandbox for code execution: `none` (default), `langsmith`, `agentcore`, `daytona`, `modal`, `runloop`, `vercel`, and third-party providers. LangSmith is included; other built-ins require extras. Pass `--sandbox` with no value to use `[sandboxes].default` from config | | `--sandbox-id ID` | Reuse an existing sandbox (skips creation and cleanup) | | `--sandbox-snapshot-name NAME` | Sandbox snapshot name to use or create (`langsmith`, `runloop`, and providers that advertise snapshot support) | | `--sandbox-setup PATH` | Path to setup script to run in sandbox after creation | | `--mcp-config PATH` | Add an explicit MCP config as the highest-precedence source (merged with auto-discovered configs) | | `--no-mcp` | Disable all MCP tool loading | | `--trust-project-mcp` | Trust project-level MCP configs with stdio servers (skip approval prompt) | | `--interpreter` | Enable the JS interpreter (`js_eval`) middleware on the main agent when it has been disabled in config. `js_eval` is enabled by default. | | `--interpreter-tools VALUE` | PTC allowlist for `js_eval`: `safe`, `all`, or a comma-separated list of tool names. Default: no PTC (pure REPL) | | `--profile-override JSON` | Override model profile fields as a JSON string (e.g., `'{"max_input_tokens": 4096}'`). Merged on top of config file profile overrides | | `--acp` | Run as an ACP server over stdio instead of launching the interactive UI | | `--update` | Check for and install updates, then exit | | `--auto-update` | Toggle automatic updates on or off, then exit | | `--install NAME` | Install an optional extra (e.g., `quickjs`, `daytona`, `fireworks`), then exit. Add `--package` to treat `NAME` as a custom provider package installed via `uv --with` rather than an extra (see [arbitrary providers](/oss/javascript/deepagents/code/config-file#arbitrary-providers)), and `--yes` to skip confirmation prompts | | `-v`, `--version` | Display version | | `-h`, `--help` | Show help | ## Manage credentials (`dcode auth`) The `dcode auth` command group is the scriptable equivalent of the `/auth` credential manager. It reads and writes the same `auth.json` store without launching the TUI: ```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"catppuccin-latte","dark":"catppuccin-mocha"}} # Pipe the key in (stdin)—never lands in shell history echo "$ANTHROPIC_API_KEY" | dcode auth set anthropic # Copy from an existing environment variable dcode auth set openai --from-env OPENAI_API_KEY # Inspect and remove dcode auth list dcode auth status openai dcode auth remove anthropic dcode auth path ``` `set` refuses to run in an interactive terminal unless you pipe the key via stdin or use `--from-env`. `dcode auth set` manages API keys only; the `openai_codex` provider uses ChatGPT browser sign-in via `/auth` instead. See [Provider credentials](/oss/javascript/deepagents/code/credentials#manage-credentials-from-the-shell-dcode-auth). ## Inspect configuration (`dcode config`) The `dcode config` command group reports effective configuration without starting a session. Use it to confirm that an environment variable or `config.toml` setting is picked up, or to share a redacted snapshot in a bug report: ```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"catppuccin-latte","dark":"catppuccin-mocha"}} dcode config show dcode config get interpreter.memory_limit_mb dcode config list dcode config path ``` Provider credentials are reported as configured or not configured only; values are not printed. All four commands accept `--json`. See [Inspect configuration](/oss/javascript/deepagents/code/configuration#inspect-configuration). ## Run diagnostics (`dcode doctor`) Use `dcode doctor` when Deep Agents Code is not starting correctly, a provider or MCP server does not connect, tracing is misconfigured, or an install or update looks wrong. It summarizes install method, dependency versions, update status, tracing configuration, and data directory health without launching a session. Pair `dcode doctor` with `dcode config show` when you need both a high-level health check and the exact source of a specific setting. See [Run diagnostics with `dcode doctor`](/oss/javascript/deepagents/code/configuration#run-diagnostics-with-dcode-doctor). ## CLI commands | Command | Description | | ------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | `dcode help` | Show help | | `dcode agents list` | List all agents (alias: `ls`) | | `dcode agents reset --agent NAME` | Clear agent memory and reset to default. Supports `--dry-run` | | `dcode agents reset --agent NAME --target SOURCE` | Copy memory from another agent | | `dcode update` | Check for and install Deep Agents Code updates | | `dcode doctor` | Run diagnostics without launching a session | | `dcode skills list [--project]` | List all skills (alias: `ls`) | | `dcode skills create NAME [--project]` | Create a new skill with template `SKILL.md`. Idempotent—re-creating an existing skill prints an informational message instead of an error | | `dcode skills info NAME [--project]` | Show detailed information about a skill | | `dcode skills delete NAME [--project] [-f]` | Delete a skill and its contents. Supports `--dry-run` | | `dcode threads list [--agent NAME] [--limit N]` | List sessions (alias: `ls`). Default limit: 20. `-n` is a short flag for `--limit`. Additional flags: `--sort {created,updated}`, `--branch TEXT` (filter by git branch), `--cwd [PATH]` (filter by working directory; bare flag uses current directory), `-v`/`--verbose` (show all columns including branch, created time, and initial prompt), `-r`/`--relative` (relative timestamps) | | `dcode threads delete ID` | Delete a session. Supports `--dry-run` | | `dcode mcp login NAME [--mcp-config PATH]` | Run the OAuth login flow for an MCP server marked `auth: "oauth"`. See [MCP tools](/oss/javascript/deepagents/code/mcp-tools#oauth-login) | | `dcode mcp config` | Show MCP config discovery paths | | `dcode config show` | Show every config option's effective value and the source it resolves from. See [Inspect configuration](#inspect-configuration-dcode-config) | | `dcode config list` | List all available config options with their type, default, and where each can be set (alias: `ls`) | | `dcode config get KEY` | Show the effective value and source for one option (e.g. `interpreter.memory_limit_mb`) | | `dcode config path` | Show config file locations and whether each exists | | `dcode auth list` | List known providers and where each credential resolves from | | `dcode auth status ` | Show the credential source for one provider | | `dcode auth set ` | Store a provider credential from stdin or `--from-env` | | `dcode auth remove ` | Remove a stored provider credential | | `dcode auth path` | Show the credential store path | All management subcommands support `--json` for machine-readable output. See [command-line options](#command-line-options) for more information. Destructive commands (`agents reset`, `skills delete`, `threads delete`) support `--dry-run` to preview what would happen without making changes. In JSON mode, `--dry-run` returns the same envelope with a `dry_run: true` field. ## See also * [Quickstart](/oss/javascript/deepagents/code/quickstart) * [Configuration](/oss/javascript/deepagents/code/configuration) * [Config file](/oss/javascript/deepagents/code/config-file) * [Provider credentials](/oss/javascript/deepagents/code/credentials) ***
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