# Command-Line Interface Basics

version 8.12

The command-line interface is the primary method of interacting with Gradle outside the IDE.

Use of the Gradle Wrapper is highly encouraged.

Substitute `./gradlew` (in macOS / Linux) or `gradlew.bat` (in Windows) for `gradle` in the following examples.

Executing Gradle on the command line conforms to the following structure:

    gradle [taskName...] [--option-name...]

Options are allowed before and after task names.

    gradle [--option-name...] [taskName...]

If multiple tasks are specified, you should separate them with a space.

    gradle [taskName1 taskName2...] [--option-name...]

Options that accept values can be specified with or without `=` between the option and argument. The use of `=` is recommended.

    gradle [...] --console=plain

Options that enable behavior have long-form options with inverses specified with `--no-`. The following are opposites.

    gradle [...] --build-cache
    gradle [...] --no-build-cache

Many long-form options have short-option equivalents. The following are equivalent:

    gradle --help
    gradle -h

## Command-line usage

The following sections describe the use of the Gradle command-line interface. Some plugins also add their own command line options.

### Executing tasks

To execute a task called `taskName` on the root project, type:

    $ gradle :taskName

This will run the single `taskName` and all of its dependencies.

### Specify options for tasks

To pass an option to a task, prefix the option name with `--` after the task name:

    $ gradle taskName --exampleOption=exampleValue

Consult the Gradle Command Line Interface reference to learn more.

Next Step: Learn about the Settings file >>