# Command-Line Launch

COM Agent can be started pre-configured from the command line and begin capturing immediately. This
is handy for automation — launching it from another program, a desktop shortcut, or a startup script
with a fixed configuration.

The application window still opens as normal; the parameters simply fill in the settings for you and
capture starts automatically.

```
RhopointComAgent.exe --mode live --port COM3 --output "C:\Data" --file-extension csv+txt
```

## Options

The option names match the settings in the window. Any option you omit keeps its saved value.

| Option | Values / example | Meaning |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `--mode` | `live` or `demo` | Capture mode. `demo` needs no COM port. |
| `--port` | `COM3` | Serial port (required for live capture). |
| `--baud` | `19200` | Baud rate. |
| `--part-marker` | `^` | Marker that delimits a complete measurement set. |
| `--part-count` | `4` | Number of parts that make up a complete set. |
| `--output` | `"C:\Data"` | Output folder for TXT/CSV files. |
| `--file-extension` | `txt`, `csv`, `csv+txt`, `keyboard` | Output format(s); combine several with `+`. |
| `--csv-delimiter` | `comma`, `semicolon`, `tab` | CSV column delimiter. |
| `--csv-decimal` | `dot`, `comma` | Decimal separator for CSV numbers. |
| `--csv-time-format` | `utc`, `local` | Format of the CSV *Timestamp* column. |
| `--csv-encoding` | `utf8`, `utf8-bom` | CSV file encoding (with or without a byte-order mark). |
| `--keyboard-value` | `mean`, `min`, `max`, `stddev`, `measurements`, `raw` | Value(s) to type; combine several with `+`. |
| `--keyboard-separator` | `tab`, `enter`, `none` | Key pressed between typed values. |
| `--keyboard-suffix` | `tab`, `enter`, `none` | Key pressed after the last value. |
| `--keyboard-decimal` | `.` or `,` | Decimal separator for typed values. |
| `--keyboard-delay` | `40` | Pause in milliseconds after each keystroke. |
| `--start` | *(no value)* | Start with the saved settings when no other parameters are given. |

Capture starts automatically whenever any parameter is given (or `--start` on its own).

## Examples

Capture from COM3 into CSV and TXT files:

```
RhopointComAgent.exe --port COM3 --output "C:\QA\Thickness" --file-extension csv+txt
```

Type the mean and minimum into the focused application, tab-separated:

```
RhopointComAgent.exe --port COM3 --file-extension keyboard --keyboard-value mean+min --keyboard-separator tab
```

Start in demo mode (no instrument needed):

```
RhopointComAgent.exe --mode demo --output "C:\Data" --file-extension txt
```

> [!info] The window opens as usual, so you can still watch the live activity and stop capture at any time. Put quotes around paths that contain spaces.

> [!warning] Live capture still requires a valid [licence](rhopoint-com-agent-licensing.md). If the launch configuration is incomplete or invalid (for example, the output folder does not exist), COM Agent shows the same message it would for a manual start.

[Next: keeping COM Agent up to date](rhopoint-com-agent-updating-com-agent.md)