What is the --print Flag in Claude Code

The --print flag (or -p) runs Claude Code in non-interactive mode, executing a single query and outputting results directly to the terminal without the interactive chat interface.

How to Use It

Use --print or -p with a query to execute Claude Code commands in automation-friendly mode that processes one request and exits.

claude -p "Fix ESLint errors in src/"
claude --print "Generate unit tests for auth.js"
claude -p "Review code quality" --model opus

Why Use --print

The --print flag enables Claude Code integration into scripts, CI/CD pipelines, and automated workflows where interactive sessions aren't suitable or practical.

Benefits:

• Automation Integration - Perfect for scripts, CI/CD, and batch processing
• Single Query Processing - Executes one command and exits cleanly
• Output Control - Supports JSON and text formats for programmatic usage
• Pipeline Friendly - Works seamlessly in build and deployment workflows
• Resource Efficient - No persistent session overhead for simple tasks

Common Use Cases

CI/CD Integration - Automated code analysis and quality checks in build pipelines:

claude -p "Check code quality and suggest improvements" --output-format json

Script Automation - Batch processing multiple files or generating documentation:

claude -p "Generate API documentation from source code" > api_docs.md

Error Analysis - Automated debugging and log analysis:

claude -p "Analyze error patterns in application.log" --max-turns 2

Advanced Usage

Output Formats - Control response structure for different use cases:

claude -p "List all functions" --output-format json    # Structured data
claude -p "Explain code flow" --output-format text     # Human readable

Resource Control - Limit processing scope:

claude -p "Quick code review" --max-turns 1            # Fast execution
claude -p "Complex analysis" --max-turns 3             # Thorough analysis

Automation Power

--print transforms Claude Code into a powerful automation tool for development workflows. Combine with --output-format json for structured data processing.

Pipeline Integration

--print enables Claude Code integration into any automated workflow or script. Execute single commands efficiently without interactive overhead.

See Also: Output Format|Max Turns|Configuration