# CLI Reference
There are two interfaces:
- **Compatibility workflow:** `ani-cli-rs [OPTIONS] [QUERY]...` searches by title and may prompt interactively.
- **Scriptable subcommands:** `search`, `episodes`, `links`, `play`, and `download` use explicit arguments and stable text/JSON output.
Run `ani-cli-rs --help` or `ani-cli-rs <COMMAND> --help` for the authoritative help generated by the installed version.
## Compatibility options
| `-c`, `--continue` | Select the next unwatched episode from history |
| `-d`, `--download` | Download instead of launching a player |
| `-D`, `--delete` | Clear history and exit |
| `-s`, `--syncplay` | Launch through Syncplay |
| `-S`, `--select-nth N` | Select the one-based search/history result without a menu |
| `-q`, `--quality VALUE` | `best`, `worst`, or a resolution such as `1080p` |
| `-v`, `--vlc` | Use VLC instead of mpv |
| `-e`, `--episode VALUE` | Episode, whitespace-separated episodes, or range |
| `-r`, `--range VALUE` | Alias for `--episode` |
| `--multi-selection` | Open the multi-select episode picker directly |
| `--dub` | Use the dubbed catalog |
| `-a`, `--allow-adult` | Permit adult-marked search results |
| `--no-detach` | Keep the player attached and wait for exit |
| `--exit-after-play` | Treat an attached player's failure as a CLI failure |
| `-N`, `--nextep-countdown` | Show release schedule and exit |
| `-U`, `--update` | Install the latest release |
| `-p`, `--provider VALUE` | Select `anikoto` (default) or `anikoto2` (Anikoto.cz) |
| `-V`, `--version` | Print the version |
Options may appear before, between, or after query words where Clap can interpret them unambiguously.
## Episode expressions
```text
1
1 3 5
2-6
2-6 8 10.5
latest
```
Only episodes present in the selected show's catalog are accepted. Numeric and fractional values are ordered numerically.
## `search`
```console
ani-cli-rs search [--mode sub|dub] [--allow-adult] [--json] "QUERY"
```
Text output is tab-separated and begins with the show ID. JSON output is recommended for automation.
```console
ani-cli-rs search --json "frieren"
ani-cli-rs --provider anikoto2 search --json "black torch"
```
## Show IDs
The scriptable commands do not search anime names. They require the ID returned by `search`.
Anikoto API IDs begin with `anikoto:` and Anikoto.cz IDs begin with `anikoto2:`. Both route automatically. A raw numeric Anikoto API series ID is accepted with `--provider anikoto`; a raw Anikoto.cz slug is accepted with `--provider anikoto2`. `--title` changes a player title or output filename; it is not a search query.
## `episodes`
```console
ani-cli-rs episodes SHOW_ID [--mode sub|dub] [--json]
```
Prints available episode labels in numeric order.
## `links`
```console
ani-cli-rs links SHOW_ID EPISODE [--mode sub|dub] [-q QUALITY] [--json]
```
Without `-q`, all resolved links are returned in provider/quality preference order. JSON includes URLs, resolution, HLS status, provider, downloadability, and required request headers.
Resolved URLs may be signed and temporary. Do not publish complete JSON output in issues.
## `play`
```console
ani-cli-rs play SHOW_ID EPISODE [OPTIONS]
```
Options include `--mode`, `-q/--quality`, `--title`, `--player`, and `--no-detach`. `--player` is an executable path, not a shell command.
## `download`
```console
ani-cli-rs download SHOW_ID EPISODE [OPTIONS]
```
Options include `--mode`, `-q/--quality`, `--title`, and `--output`. This subcommand is intentionally non-interactive and downloads one episode. Use `ani-cli-rs -d "title"` for title, season, and multi-episode selection.
## Maintenance
```console
ani-cli-rs update --check
ani-cli-rs update
```
## Exit behavior
- Argument and validation errors return a non-zero exit code.
- Scriptable commands never open fuzzy selectors.
- Canceling an ordinary interactive menu is not treated as a crash.
- Detached player startup success does not mean playback later succeeded.
- `--no-detach --exit-after-play` allows an attached player failure to propagate.