> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/usestrix/strix/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Command-Line Options
> Complete reference for all Strix command-line options and parameters
This page provides detailed information about every command-line option available in Strix.
## Target Options
### --target, -t
**Required**. Specifies the target to test. You can provide this option multiple times to scan multiple targets simultaneously.
The target to test. Strix automatically detects the target type:
**Web Applications**
```bash theme={null}
strix --target https://example.com
strix --target http://localhost:3000
```
**GitHub Repositories**
```bash theme={null}
strix --target https://github.com/user/repo
strix --target git@github.com:user/repo.git
```
**Local Code**
```bash theme={null}
strix --target ./my-project
strix --target /absolute/path/to/code
```
**Domain Names**
```bash theme={null}
strix --target example.com
```
**IP Addresses**
```bash theme={null}
strix --target 192.168.1.42
strix --target 10.0.0.1
```
**Multiple Targets** (White-box testing)
```bash theme={null}
strix --target ./source-code --target https://staging.example.com --target https://prod.example.com
```
## Instruction Options
### --instruction
Provide inline custom instructions to guide the penetration test.
Custom instructions as a string. Use this to:
* **Focus on specific vulnerabilities**
```bash theme={null}
strix --target example.com --instruction "Focus on authentication vulnerabilities"
```
* **Provide test credentials**
```bash theme={null}
strix --target example.com --instruction "Use credentials: admin:password123 to test the admin panel"
```
* **Specify testing approach**
```bash theme={null}
strix --target example.com --instruction "Perform thorough API security testing"
```
* **Highlight specific endpoints**
```bash theme={null}
strix --target example.com --instruction "Check /api/users endpoint for IDOR vulnerabilities"
```
Cannot be used together with `--instruction-file`.
### --instruction-file
Provide custom instructions from a file for lengthy or complex requirements.
Path to a text or markdown file containing instructions.
```bash theme={null}
strix --target example.com --instruction-file ./instructions.txt
strix --target https://app.com --instruction-file /path/to/detailed_instructions.md
```
**Example instruction file:**
```txt theme={null}
# Security Testing Instructions
## Focus Areas
- Authentication and session management
- API authorization controls
- Input validation on user forms
## Test Credentials
- Regular user: user@example.com / password123
- Admin user: admin@example.com / admin456
## Known Issues to Verify
- Check if password reset tokens expire
- Verify CORS configuration on API endpoints
```
The file must not be empty. Cannot be used together with `--instruction`.
## Mode Options
### --non-interactive, -n
Run in non-interactive mode without the TUI.
When enabled, Strix runs in headless mode:
* No text-based UI (TUI) is displayed
* Output is printed directly to stdout
* Process exits automatically when scan completes
* Suitable for CI/CD pipelines and automation
* Exit code 2 is returned if vulnerabilities are found
```bash theme={null}
strix --target example.com --non-interactive
```
See [Non-Interactive Mode](/cli/non-interactive-mode) for details.
### --scan-mode, -m
Control the depth and thoroughness of the scan.
Choose from three scan modes:
**quick** - Fast CI/CD checks
* Fastest execution time
* Basic vulnerability coverage
* Ideal for commit checks and pull requests
```bash theme={null}
strix --target example.com --scan-mode quick
```
**standard** - Routine testing
* Balanced speed and coverage
* Good for regular security reviews
```bash theme={null}
strix --target example.com --scan-mode standard
```
**deep** - Thorough security reviews (default)
* Most comprehensive testing
* Maximum vulnerability coverage
* Best for pre-release security audits
```bash theme={null}
strix --target example.com --scan-mode deep
```
See [Scan Modes](/cli/scan-modes) for detailed comparison.
## Configuration Options
### --config
Use a custom configuration file instead of the default.
Path to a JSON configuration file.
By default, Strix uses `~/.strix/cli-config.json`. This option allows you to maintain multiple configuration profiles.
```bash theme={null}
strix --target example.com --config ./custom-config.json
```
**Example configuration file:**
```json theme={null}
{
"strix_llm": "openai/gpt-4",
"llm_api_base": "https://api.openai.com/v1",
"llm_timeout": 300,
"strix_reasoning_effort": "high"
}
```
The file must exist and contain valid JSON.
## Version Option
### --version, -v
Display version information and exit.
Prints the installed Strix version.
```bash theme={null}
strix --version
# Output: strix 1.0.0
```
## Option Combinations
### White-Box Testing
Combine local source code with deployed application targets:
```bash theme={null}
strix --target ./my-app --target https://staging.example.com --target https://prod.example.com
```
### Focused CI/CD Testing
Quick scan with specific instructions:
```bash theme={null}
strix --target https://example.com \
--scan-mode quick \
--instruction "Focus on authentication" \
--non-interactive
```
### Comprehensive Pre-Release Audit
Deep scan with detailed instructions:
```bash theme={null}
strix --target ./source-code \
--target https://staging.example.com \
--scan-mode deep \
--instruction-file ./security-requirements.md
```
## See Also
* [strix](/cli/strix) - Main command reference
* [Examples](/cli/examples) - Common usage patterns
* [Scan Modes](/cli/scan-modes) - Detailed scan mode comparison