CLI Reference

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Command syntax and complete option reference for all Axe DevTools CLI subcommands

Not for use with personal data

A quick reference for every Axe DevTools CLI subcommand and its options. For usage guidance and examples, follow the link to each command's article.

axe <url> — analyze pages by URL
axe bulk-reports — send results to Axe Reports
axe bulk-spec — run a directory of spec files
axe config-selenium — configure persistent browser defaults
axe devhub — send results to Axe Developer Hub
axe licenses — display dependency licenses
axe reporter — generate reports from JSON results
axe ruleset — generate custom rulesets
axe spec — run a spec file

`axe <url>`

Analyzes one or more web pages for accessibility issues. See Testing Pages for full documentation.

axe <url...> [options]

Some options are saved to a preferences file and persist across CLI runs. See Configuration for details.

Option	Description
`-a, --axe-source <path>`	Path to an alternative `axe.js` file.
`--accept-untrusted`	Accept untrusted SSL certificates. Persists.
`--axe-devhub-api-key <api-key>`	API key for Axe Developer Hub.
`--axe-devhub-project-id <project-id>`	Project ID for Axe Developer Hub.
`--axe-devhub-server-url <url>`	URL of the Axe Developer Hub server. Default: `https://axe.deque.com`.
`--axe-reports-api-key <api-key>`	API key for Axe Reports.
`--axe-reports-dimensions <dimensions>`	Comma-separated JTBD dimensions to tag this scan in Axe Reports.
`--axe-reports-url <url>`	URL to send results to Axe Reports.
`--browser [name]`	Browser to use. Requires the corresponding WebDriver. Valid values: `firefox` (default), `chrome`, `safari`, `edge`, `ie`. Persists.
`--chrome-options [options]`	Comma-separated Chrome command-line switches passed to ChromeDriver. Persists.
`--chrome-path <path>`	Absolute path to the Chrome browser executable.
`--chromedriver-path <path>`	Absolute path to the ChromeDriver executable.
`-c, --custom <path>`	Path to a custom ruleset file, overriding the default.
`-d, --dir <path>`	Directory where JSON results are saved.
`-l, --disable <list>`	Comma-separated rule IDs to disable.
`-e, --exclude <list>`	Comma-separated CSS selectors for elements to exclude from testing.
`-q, --exit`	Exit with code `1` if violations are found.
`--enable-tracking <state>`	Enable (`true`) or disable (`false`) sending usage data to the metrics library. Persists.
`-f, --format <value>`	Report format(s): `html`, `junit`, `csv`, or a `+`-separated combination. Default: `html`. Requires `-r, --report`.
`--filter <list>`	Comma-separated result types to include: `passes`, `violations`, `incomplete`, `inapplicable`. Requires `--format csv`.
`--headless`	Launch the browser in headless mode. Persists.
`-i, --include <list>`	Comma-separated CSS selectors. Only matching elements are tested.
`--load-delay <n>`	Milliseconds to wait after page load before running the audit. Default: `0`.
`--no-git-data`	Do not send Git branch and commit data to Axe Developer Hub.
`--no-reporter`	Suppress the violation summary output.
`--page-timeout <ms>`	Maximum milliseconds to wait for a page to load. Default: `60000`. Persists.
`--post-analyze-pause <ms>`	Milliseconds to pause after analysis before the next action. Default: `2000`. Persists.
`--post-get-pause <ms>`	Milliseconds to pause after page load and before scanning. Default: `2000`. Persists.
`--post-script-pause <ms>`	Milliseconds to pause after a script action and before scanning. Default: `2000`. Persists.
`-r, --report <output-dir>`	Directory where the formatted report is written. Use with `-f, --format`.
`--remote-proxy [proxy-server]`	Route traffic through a remote proxy (ChromeDriver only). Persists.
`--remote-server [server-url]`	Connect to a remote WebDriver server (e.g. Selenium Grid, BrowserStack). Persists.
`--rules <list>`	Comma-separated rule IDs to run. Only the specified rules are checked.
`-s, --save [filename]`	Save results as a JSON file. Filename defaults to `axe-result.json`.
`--script-timeout <ms>`	Maximum milliseconds to wait for a workflow script. Default: `60000`. Persists.
`--send-axe-reports`	Send analysis results to Axe Reports.
`--set-distinct-id <id>`	Override the distinct ID used for usage tracking. Persists.
`--set-tracking-url <url>`	Override the URL where metrics data are sent. Persists.
`--show-errors`	Display the full error stack trace on errors.
`-j, --stdout`	Output JSON results to stdout; silences all other output.
`-t, --tags <list>`	Comma-separated tags to filter which rules are run.
`--timer`	Print timing measurements after each test run.
`-v, --verbose`	Include tool name, version, and environment metadata in output.
`-V, --version`	Output the version number.
`--window-size <width,height>`	Set the browser window size in pixels. Persists.

`axe bulk-reports`

Sends JSON results to Axe Reports. See Send to Axe Reports for full documentation.

axe bulk-reports <results-directory> [options]

Option	Description
`--axe-reports-api-key <api-key>`	API key for Axe Reports.
`--axe-reports-dimensions <dimensions>`	Comma-separated JTBD dimensions to tag this scan in Axe Reports.
`--axe-reports-url <url>`	URL to send results to Axe Reports.
`--send-axe-reports`	Send analysis results to Axe Reports.
`--verbose`	Enable verbose logging.

`axe bulk-spec`

Processes a directory of spec files in a single run. See Workflow Specs for full documentation.

axe bulk-spec <spec-files-directory> [output-directory] [options]

Option	Description
`-a, --axe-source <path>`	Path to an alternative `axe.js` file.
`--accept-untrusted`	Accept untrusted SSL certificates. Persists.
`--browser [name]`	Browser to use. Requires the corresponding WebDriver. Valid values: `firefox` (default), `chrome`, `safari`, `edge`, `ie`. Persists.
`-c, --custom <path>`	Path to a custom ruleset file, overriding the default.
`--dismiss-alerts`	Dismiss browser `alert()`, `confirm()`, and `prompt()` dialogs before scanning.
`--enable-tracking <state>`	Enable (`true`) or disable (`false`) sending usage data to the metrics library. Persists.
`-f, --format [value]`	Report format(s): `html`, `junit`, `csv`, or a `+`-separated combination. Default: `html`.
`--headless`	Launch the browser in headless mode. Persists.
`--no-analyze`	Remove the requirement for an `analyze` action in each page's action list.
`--no-html`	Prevent HTML report generation.
`--no-reports`	Prevent all report file generation.
`--no-wait`	Disable automatic pauses between workflow actions.
`--page-timeout <ms>`	Maximum milliseconds to wait for a page to load. Default: `60000`. Persists.
`--post-analyze-pause <ms>`	Milliseconds to pause after analysis before the next action. Default: `2000`. Persists.
`--post-get-pause <ms>`	Milliseconds to pause after page load and before scanning. Default: `2000`. Persists.
`--post-script-pause <ms>`	Milliseconds to pause after a script action and before scanning. Default: `2000`. Persists.
`--remote-proxy [proxy-server]`	Route traffic through a remote proxy (ChromeDriver only). Persists.
`--remote-server [server-url]`	Connect to a remote WebDriver server (e.g. Selenium Grid, BrowserStack). Persists.
`--script-timeout <ms>`	Maximum milliseconds to wait for a workflow script. Default: `60000`. Persists.
`--set-distinct-id <id>`	Override the distinct ID used for usage tracking. Persists.
`--set-tracking-url <url>`	Override the URL where metrics data are sent. Persists.
`-t, --tags [list]`	Comma-separated tags to filter which rules are run.
`--user-agent <agent>`	Set a custom user agent string. Persists.
`--validate`	Validate the spec files without running them.
`--wait-network-idle-new-connections [number]`	New connection threshold before the network is considered idle.
`--wait-network-idle-open-connections [number]`	Open connection threshold before the network is considered idle.
`--wait-network-idle-timeout [ms]`	Maximum milliseconds to wait for network idle before proceeding.
`--window-size <width,height>`	Set the browser window size in pixels. Persists.

`axe config-selenium`

Interactively configures persistent browser and timing defaults. See Configuration for full documentation.

axe config-selenium [options]

Option	Description
`-s, --show`	Display current saved settings without entering the interactive prompt.

`axe devhub`

Sends JSON results to Axe Developer Hub. See Send to Axe Developer Hub for full documentation.

axe devhub <results-directory|file> [options]

Option	Description
`--axe-devhub-api-key <api-key>`	API key for Axe Developer Hub. Overrides the `AXE_DEVHUB_API_KEY` environment variable.
`--axe-devhub-project-id <project-id>`	Project ID for Axe Developer Hub.
`--axe-devhub-server-url <url>`	URL of the Axe Developer Hub server. Default: `https://axe.deque.com`.
`--no-git-data`	Do not send Git branch and commit data to Axe Developer Hub.

`axe licenses`

Displays and saves the open-source licenses for all CLI dependencies.

axe licenses [options]

`axe reporter`

Converts JSON results into HTML, JUnit XML, or CSV reports. See Generate Reports for full documentation.

axe reporter <results-dir> [dest-dir] [options]

Option	Description
`-b, --browser [name]`	When the results directory contains results from multiple browsers, generate the report from only one browser's results.
`-d, --dest [path]`	Output directory for generated reports. Can also be specified as the second positional argument.
`--filter <list>`	Comma-separated result types to include: `passes`, `violations`, `incomplete`, `inapplicable`. Requires `--format csv`.
`-f, --format [type(s)]`	Output format(s): `html`, `junit`, `csv`, or a combination. Default: `html`.

`axe ruleset`

Generates custom ruleset files. See Custom Rulesets for full documentation.

axe ruleset [options]

Option	Description
`--508 [filename]`	Generate a standard config for Section 508 rules.
`--all [filename]`	Generate a standard config for all supported guidelines.
`-a, --axe-source <path>`	Path to a custom axe source.
`-c, --custom [dir]`	Generate a custom ruleset from a directory containing a `changes.json` file.
`-d, --destination [dir]`	Output directory. Default: current working directory.
`-x, --disable-other-rules`	Disable all rules not included in the `rules` property. Default: `true`.
`--en301549 [filename]`	Generate a standard config for EN 301 549 rules.
`-f, --format [format]`	Output format.
`-l, --log`	Also generate a list of all rules included in the generated ruleset.
`--only-changes`	Generate only the changes and additions to the ruleset.
`--rgaav4 [filename]`	Generate a standard config for RGAA v4 rules.
`-t, --tags [list]`	Comma-separated tags to filter the standard ruleset.
`--ttv5 [filename]`	Generate a standard config for Trusted Tester v5 rules.
`--wcag2 [filename]`	Generate a standard config for WCAG 2.0 AA rules.
`--wcag21 [filename]`	Generate a standard config for WCAG 2.1 AA rules.
`--wcag21aaa [filename]`	Generate a standard config for WCAG 2.1 AAA rules.
`--wcag22 [filename]`	Generate a standard config for WCAG 2.2 AA rules.
`--wcag22aaa [filename]`	Generate a standard config for WCAG 2.2 AAA rules.
`--wcag2aaa [filename]`	Generate a standard config for WCAG 2.0 AAA rules.

`axe spec`

Analyzes pages defined in a JSON or YAML spec file. See Workflow Specs for full documentation.

axe spec <spec-file> [output-directory] [options]

Option	Description
`-a, --axe-source <path>`	Path to an alternative `axe.js` file.
`--accept-untrusted`	Accept untrusted SSL certificates. Persists.
`--axe-devhub-api-key <api-key>`	API key for Axe Developer Hub.
`--axe-devhub-project-id <project-id>`	Project ID for Axe Developer Hub.
`--axe-devhub-server-url <url>`	URL of the Axe Developer Hub server. Default: `https://axe.deque.com`.
`--axe-reports-api-key <api-key>`	API key for Axe Reports.
`--axe-reports-dimensions <dimensions>`	Comma-separated JTBD dimensions to tag this scan in Axe Reports.
`--axe-reports-url <url>`	URL to send results to Axe Reports.
`--browser [name]`	Browser to use. Requires the corresponding WebDriver. Valid values: `firefox` (default), `chrome`, `safari`, `edge`, `ie`. Persists.
`--chrome-options [options]`	Comma-separated Chrome command-line switches passed to ChromeDriver. Persists.
`-c, --custom <path>`	Path to a custom ruleset file, overriding the default.
`--descendant-links`	Collect links on each page and append them to results. Requires `--verbose`.
`--dismiss-alerts`	Dismiss browser `alert()`, `confirm()`, and `prompt()` dialogs before scanning.
`--download-path <path>`	Set where the browser saves downloads (Chrome only).
`--enable-tracking <state>`	Enable (`true`) or disable (`false`) sending usage data to the metrics library. Persists.
`-f, --format [value]`	Report format(s): `html`, `junit`, `csv`, or a `+`-separated combination. Default: `html`.
`--filter <list>`	Comma-separated result types to include: `passes`, `violations`, `incomplete`, `inapplicable`. Requires `--format csv`.
`--headless`	Launch the browser in headless mode. Persists.
`--interactive-mode`	Allow the CLI to run on pages that use interactive mode (Chrome only).
`--no-analyze`	Remove the requirement for an `analyze` action in each page's action list.
`--no-exit`	Force exit code `0` even when violations are found.
`--no-git-data`	Do not send Git branch and commit data to Axe Developer Hub.
`--no-html`	Prevent HTML report generation.
`--no-reports`	Prevent all report file generation.
`--no-wait`	Disable automatic pauses between workflow actions.
`--page-name <name>`	Run only the page with the specified name from the spec file.
`--page-source`	Append the scanned HTML source to results. Requires `--verbose`.
`--page-timeout <ms>`	Maximum milliseconds to wait for a page to load. Default: `60000`. Persists.
`--page-title`	Append the page title to results. Requires `--verbose`.
`--post-analyze-pause <ms>`	Milliseconds to pause after analysis before the next action. Default: `2000`. Persists.
`--post-get-pause <ms>`	Milliseconds to pause after page load and before scanning. Default: `2000`. Persists.
`--post-script-pause <ms>`	Milliseconds to pause after a script action and before scanning. Default: `2000`. Persists.
`--remote-proxy [proxy-server]`	Route traffic through a remote proxy (ChromeDriver only). Persists.
`--remote-server [server-url]`	Connect to a remote WebDriver server (e.g. Selenium Grid, BrowserStack). Persists.
`--resume-from <name>`	Skip all pages before the named page in the spec file.
`--scanned-url`	Add the base URL and scan URL to verbose results. Chrome only. Requires `--verbose`.
`--script-timeout <ms>`	Maximum milliseconds to wait for a workflow script. Default: `60000`. Persists.
`--send-axe-reports`	Send analysis results to Axe Reports.
`--set-distinct-id <id>`	Override the distinct ID used for usage tracking. Persists.
`--set-legacy-mode`	Enable legacy scan mode. Deprecated — will be removed in v5.0.
`--set-tracking-url <url>`	Override the URL where metrics data are sent. Persists.
`--silent-mode`	Suppress all decorative output; results are shown only when `--verbose` is also active.
`-t, --tags [list]`	Comma-separated tags to filter which rules are run.
`--user-agent <agent>`	Set a custom user agent string. Persists.
`--validate`	Validate the spec file without running it.
`-v, --verbose`	Include tool name, version, and environment metadata in output.
`--wait-network-idle-new-connections [number]`	New connection threshold before the network is considered idle.
`--wait-network-idle-open-connections [number]`	Open connection threshold before the network is considered idle.
`--wait-network-idle-polling-every [ms]`	Polling interval in milliseconds for network-idle detection.
`--wait-network-idle-timeout [ms]`	Maximum milliseconds to wait for network idle before proceeding.
`--window-size <width,height>`	Set the browser window size in pixels. Persists.