Capitolo 22. Using the Command Line

Indice

Updated for v0.46.

Inkscape has the ability to batch process SVG files without opening up the Graphics User Interface (GUI). The available options can be divided into a few categories: general commands, exporting commands (including printing), and query commands.

Most Inkscape commands are attached to verbs. Any verb can be called from the command line with the --verb argument, allowing complex processing to take place. However, it is not possible to set parameters. A list of all verbs can be obtained using --verb-list. It does not appear possible to suppress the GUI when using the --verb.

Here is a simple example of opening a file, selecting an object, flipping it, and then saving the file. The Stella has an id of «MyStar».

inkscape --select=MyStar --verb ObjectFlipVertically --verb FileSave --verb FileClose MyStar.svg

Normal star.
The file before running the above command.
A flipped star.
The file after running the above command.

Most options have two forms: a short form preceded by one dash and a long form proceeded by two dashes. Some options take parameters that can (usually) either be attached to the option with an = sign (e.g., --export-png=my.png) or separated by a space (e.g., --export-png my.png).