---
title: CLI options
order: 1
---

# Command line options

Currently the following command line interface options are available:

- `--mod <MOD_ID>`  
  Runs a specific game or mod directly.
  Available mods:
  - `tr1` (Tomb Raider I)
  - `tr1-ub` (Tomb Raider I: Unfinished Business)
  - `tr1-demo-pc` (Tomb Raider I: PC Demo)
  - `tr2` (Tomb Raider II)
  - `tr2-gm` (Tomb Raider II: The Golden Mask)
  - `tr3` (Tomb Raider III)
  - `tr3-la` (Tomb Raider III: The Lost Artifact)

  TRX remembers the last selected game or expansion when no explicit startup
  option is given. Because of that, `TRX.exe` starts whichever game or
  expansion was selected most recently. Use `TRX.exe --mod` to force the
  matching expansion pack from a shortcut.

- `-l <path|num>`, `--level <path|num>`  
  Runs the game immediately launching it into the specified level. If `<path>`
  is provided, runs the custom level located in the specified location. If the
  path is relative, it is resolved from the current working directory first,
  then from the game directory. Internally, this option uses
  `tr*-level/gameflow.json5` as a template instructing it how to run the game.
  If `<num>` is an integer, plays the level with the given number within the
  main game flow (1-based).

- `-s <num>`, `--save <num>`:  
  Runs the game immediately loading a specific save slot. The first save starts
  at `num=1`. This option can be combined with `-l`/`--level`.

- `--test-record <PATH>`:  
  Records gameplay events to an external text file.

- `--test-replay <PATH>`, `--test-play <PATH>`:  
  Replays gameplay events from an external text file.

- `--headless`:  
  Runs the game in command line only. Only available with `--test-replay`.

- `--headless-fps <num>`:  
  In headless mode, forces the simulation to run at a constant FPS. If omitted
  or zero, uses the FPS from the configuration.

- `--debug-render-performance`:  
  Outputs diagnostic information related to GPU usage and throughput.

- `-q`, `--quiet`  
  Suppresses most of output to the standard output, keeping only errors.
  The log file is written to normally.

> [!TIP]
> If you want `TRX.exe` to start the main game again after using an expansion
> shortcut, switch back to the main game in the passport first, or launch it
> with `--mod`/`--engine` from the shortcut as needed.

> [!NOTE]
> Gameplay capture is considered an internal testing tool, and may be
> subject to breaking changes without warnings.

# Legacy command line options

- `-g`, `--gold` (legacy: `-gold`)  
  Runs the Unfinished Business or the Golden Mask expansion pack, depending
  on the last launched game. Please use `--mod` option instead.

- `--demo-pc` (legacy: `-demo_pc`) (TR1 only)  
  Runs the PC demo level. Please use `--mod` option instead.
