Command reference

View detailed information about commands available when interacting with a P4 Server. You can also run the p4 help command for information.

You can also view Commands by functions area, for Git repo commands, and restrictions for P4 Cloud commands.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | O | P | R | S | T | U | V | W | Z

A

Command	Description
p4 add	Open files in a client workspace for addition to the depot.
p4 add (graph)	Open a new file to add it to the repo.
p4 admin	Perform administrative operations on the server.
p4 aliases	Display command aliases that are currently defined in a .p4aliases file.
p4 annotate	Print file lines along with their revisions.
p4 archive	Archive obsolete revisions to an archive depot.
p4 attribute	Set per-revision attributes on revisions: name-value pairs that associate metadata with the file revision.

B

Command	Description
p4 bgtask	Run background commands or triggers on the server.
p4 branch	Create or edit a branch mapping and its view.
p4 branches	List existing branch mappings.

C

Command	Description
p4 cachepurge	Reclaim disk space on a replicated server.
p4 change	Create or edit a changelist specification.
p4 changelist	This command is an alias for p4 change.
p4 changelists	This command is an alias for p4 changes.
p4 changes	List submitted and pending changelists.
p4 check-permission (graph)	Check access permission granted to a user of a repo. This command is for graph depots only.
p4 clean	Restore client workspace files to match the state of corresponding depot files.
p4 client	Create or edit a client workspace specification and its view.
p4 client (graph)	Create or edit a client workspace specification.
p4 clients	List all client workspaces currently known to the system.
p4 clone	Clone a new local P4 Server from a remote server.
p4 configure	Set, view, and manage server configuration variables, including comments.
p4 copy	Copy files and/or the stream spec from one location in the depot to another.
p4 counter	Access, set, increment, or delete a persistent variable.
p4 counters	Display the list of long-term variables used by P4 Server and associated scripts.
p4 cstat	Dump change or sync status for the current client workspace.

D

Command	Description
p4 dbschema	Report information about metadata in the database on the P4 Server.
p4 dbstat	Display size or simple statistics for one or more database tables.
p4 dbverify	Perform low-level verification of the database tables.
p4 delete	Open files in a client workspace for deletion from the depot.
p4 delete (graph)	Delete an existing file from the repo.
p4 depot	Create, edit, or delete a depot specification.
p4 depots	Display a list of depots known to the .P4 Server.
p4 describe	Provides information about changelists, as well as files in the changelists, and the path of the open stream, if a stream is open.
p4 describe (graph)	Display a commit description.
p4 diagnostics	Generate diagnostic data about the P4 Server.
p4 diff	Diff utility for comparing workspace content to depot content. (For comparing two depot paths, see p4 diff2.) Also for stream spec comparison.
p4 diff (graph)	Diff utility for comparing workspace content to repo content. (For comparing two repo paths, see p4 diff2 (graph).)
p4 diff2	Diff utility for comparing the content at two depot paths. (For comparing workspace content to depot content, see p4 diff.)
p4 diff2 (graph)	Diff utility for comparing the content at two repo paths. (For comparing workspace content to repo content, see p4 diff (graph).)
p4 dirs	List the immediate subdirectories of the specified depot directories.
p4 dirs (graph)	List repo subdirectories.
p4 diskspace	Display disk space information on the server.

E

Command	Description
p4 edit	Opens files in a client workspace for edit, or open the current stream spec.
p4 edit (graph)	Open an existing file for edit.
p4 export	Extract journal or checkpoint records.
p4 extension	Create and configure P4 Extensions.

F

Command	Description
p4 failback	After a failover with target server The immediately upstream server for replica servers, edge servers, standby servers, proxies and brokers. See also 'upstream server' and 'central server'. participation, fail back to restore the previous role of that target server.
p4 failover	Fail over to a standby server.
p4 fetch	Copy files from a remote server into your local server.
p4 filelog	Print detailed information about the revisions of files.
p4 filelog (graph)	List the commit history of the specified file.
p4 files	Provide information about files in the depot without accessing their contents.
p4 files (graph)	List the files in thee repo.
p4 fix	Link jobs to the changelists that fix them.
p4 fixes	List jobs and the changelists that fix them.
p4 flush	Update the have list The list of file revisions most recently synced from the depot into the workspace. In other words, the list of files that the client workspace has. of a client workspace without copying any files.
p4 fstat	Dump file information in a tagged format that is suitable for parsing by scripts.
p4 fstat (graph)	List file info.

G

Command	Description
p4 grant-permission (graph)	Assign the specified permission for the specified depot of type graph (or a repo The container of files that the Git Connector caches or mirrors from Git users. See also 'graph depot'. in that graph depot A depot of type graph that is used to store Git repos managed by P4 Server. See also Git Connector and classic depot.) to the specified user or group.
p4 graph gc (graph)	Delete records of orphaned objects from the object table.
p4 graph lfs-lock (graph)	Create a git lfs-lock.
p4 graph lfs-locks (graph)	List the git lfs-locks in the repo.
p4 graph lfs-unlock (graph)	Remove a git lfs-lock.
p4 graph log (graph)	List commits.
p4 graph purge-refhist (graph)	Delete refhist records for a repo.
p4 graph rebase (graph)	Replay local history onto the target's new base.
p4 graph recompute-refcnts (graph)	Recompute object refcounts in the object table.
p4 graph show-ref (graph)	Display reference values.
p4 graph tag (graph)	Tag a commit with a name.
p4 graph tags (graph)	List tagged commits in all repos.
p4 graph verify (graph)	Verify repo integrity.
p4 grep	Print lines in files (or revisions of files) that match a pattern.
p4 group	Add or delete users from a group, or set limits for the members of a group.
p4 groups	List groups of users.

H

Command	Description
p4 heartbeat	Monitor the responsiveness of a target server, such as a standby server monitoring its target server The immediately upstream server for replica servers, edge servers, standby servers, proxies and brokers. See also 'upstream server' and 'central server'., to help the administrator determine if a failover might be needed.
p4 have	List files and revisions that are synced to the client workspace.
p4 have (graph)	List the commit most recently synced to the current workspace.
p4 help	Provide command-line help for P4 Server.
p4 help-graph (graph)	Provide on-line help for P4 Server commands for depots of type graph.
p4 hotfiles	Edit the hotfiles mapping table for altsync client workspaces.

I

Command	Description
p4 ignores	Displays the ignore mappings computed from the rules in P4IGNORE files.
p4 info	Display information about the current P4 Server application and the shared versioning service.
p4 init	Initializes a new P4 Server.
p4 integrate	Open files and/or the stream spec for branching (noun) A set of related files that exist at a specific location in the P4 depot as a result of being copied to that location, as opposed to being added to that location. A group of related files is often referred to as a codeline. To associate code reviews in P4 Code Review (formerly Helix Swarm) with the projects they are part of, add the 'branch' paths in the P4 Code Reviewproject. (verb) To create a codeline by copying another codeline with the 'p4 integrate', 'p4 copy', or 'p4 populate' command. or merging.
p4 integrated	Show integrations that have been submitted.
p4 interchanges	Report changes not yet integrated.
p4 istat	Check for integrations needed for stream files, the stream spec, or both.

J

Command	Description
p4 job	Create or edit an instance of a job, such as a defect or enhancement request.
p4 jobs	List jobs known to the P4 Server.
p4 jobspec	Edit the jobs template to change, add, or remove spec fields for job forms.
p4 journalcopy	Copies journal data from a target server The immediately upstream server for replica servers, edge servers, standby servers, proxies and brokers. See also 'upstream server' and 'central server'. to the local file system of a standby replica.
p4 journaldbchecksums	Write journal notes with table checksums.
p4 journals	Display history of checkpoint and journal activity for the server.

K

Command	Description
p4 key	Display, set, or delete a key/value pair.
p4 keys	Display list of known key/value pairs.

L

Command	Description
p4 label	Create or edit a label specification and its view.
p4 labels	Display the list of defined labels.
p4 labelsync	Synchronize a label with the contents of the current client workspace.
p4 ldap	Create, display, edit, or delete an LDAP configuration specification, or test an existing LDAP configuration.
p4 ldaps	Display a list of LDAP configurations or attempt to authenticate a user against active configurations.
p4 ldapsync	Synchronize P4 Server users and group memberships with LDAP groups.
p4 license	Update or display the license file.
p4 list	Create a temporary list of files that can be used as a label.
p4 lock	Lock an opened file against other users submitting changes to the file.
p4 lock (graph)	Lock an opened file to prevent it from being submitted to the repo.
p4 lockstat	Report lock status of database tables.
p4 logappend	Add a line to any user log P4 Server supports the standard log, which is human-readable, as well as structured logs in a comma-separated value (CSV) format. The P4LOG environment variable specifies the log file for events, including errors. The human-readable P4AUDIT environment variable specifies the log file that records file transfers to users. Structured log files are typically processed by external tools. To learn more, see 'Logging" in P4 Server Administration Documentation. files.
p4 logexport	Export a structured server log file to an external service using the OpenTelemetry Protocol (OTLP).
p4 logger	Report changed jobs and changelists.
p4 login	Log in to the P4 Server by obtaining a ticket.
p4 login2	Perform multi-factor authentication (MFA), formerly known as second factor authentication (2fa).
p4 logout	Log out a user of the P4 Server by removing a ticket on the user’s workstation, or by invalidating the user's ticket on the server.
p4 logparse	Parse a structured log file and return log data.
p4 logrotate	Rotate one or more structured log P4 Server supports the standard log, which is human-readable, as well as structured logs in a comma-separated value (CSV) format. The P4LOG environment variable specifies the log file for events, including errors. The human-readable P4AUDIT environment variable specifies the log file that records file transfers to users. Structured log files are typically processed by external tools. To learn more, see 'Logging" in P4 Server Administration Documentation. files.
p4 logschema	Describe the schema of structured log record types.
p4 logstat	Report size of journal, error log, and/or audit log files, or report size of the specified structured file.
p4 logtail	Display the last block(s) of the error log.

M

Command	Description
p4 merge	Merge 1. To create new files from existing files, preserving their history when branching. 2. To propagate changes from one set of files to another. 3. The process of combining the contents of two conflicting file revisions into a single file, typically using a merge tool, such as P4 Merge. one set of files (and/or the stream spec) into another.
p4 merge (graph)	Merge another branch into the current or target branch.
p4 monitor	Display P4 Server process information and control long-running tasks.
p4 move	Move (rename) a file from one location to another within the branch.

O

Command	Description
p4 obliterate	Permanently removes files and their history (metadata) from the depot.
p4 opened	List files that are open in pending changelists.
p4 opened (graph)	Display the list of files opened in pending changelists.

P

Command	Description
p4 passwd	Change the P4 Server password of a user.
p4 ping	Test network performance.
p4 populate	Branch (noun) A set of related files that exist at a specific location in the P4 depot as a result of being copied to that location, as opposed to being added to that location. A group of related files is often referred to as a codeline. To associate code reviews in P4 Code Review (formerly Helix Swarm) with the projects they are part of, add the 'branch' paths in the P4 Code Reviewproject. (verb) To create a codeline by copying another codeline with the 'p4 integrate', 'p4 copy', or 'p4 populate' command. a set of files as a one-step operation.
p4 print	Print the contents of a depot file revision.
p4 print (graph)	Write a repo file to standard output.
p4 property	Add, delete, or list property values.
p4 protect	Control user access to files, directories, and commands.
p4 protects	Display protections in place for a given user, group, or path.
p4 proxy	Display Proxy connection information.
p4 prune	Removes unmodified files from a stream.
p4 pubkey (graph)	Add, update, or delete an SSH public key on the P4 Server.
p4 pubkeys (graph)	Display a list of the SSH public keys.
p4 pull	Retrieve metadata or versioned files from a P4 Servertarget server The immediately upstream server for replica servers, edge servers, standby servers, proxies and brokers. See also 'upstream server' and 'central server'. to its standby or replica, or display status information about pending transfers. There is a special syntax for a commit server to pull from a replica. In most situations, server replication with p4 pull is preferable to p4 replicate.
p4 push	Copy submitted files in your local server to a remote server.

R

Command	Description
p4 reconcile	Open files for add, delete, or edit to reconcile a workspace with changes made outside of P4 Server. You might need to use this command after working offline from P4 Server.
p4 reconcile (graph)	Open files for add, delete, or edit to reconcile a workspace with changes made outside of P4 Server.
p4 reload	Reloads the specified workspace, label, or task stream from the unload depot.
p4 remote	Create, modify or delete a remote specification.
p4 remotes	Display a list of remote specifications.
p4 rename	The command p4 rename is an alias for p4 move.
p4 renameclient	Rename a client workspace.
p4 renameuser	Rename a user and modify all database records that mention the user.
p4 reopen	Move opened files between changelists or change the files' type, or move the client's stream spec to a different changelist.
p4 replicate	Poll for journal changes on one P4 Server for forwarding to another P4 Server.
p4 repo (graph)	Create, edit, or delete a repo specification.
p4 repos (graph)	Display a list of repos.
p4 reshelve	Copies shelved files from an existing shelf into either a new shelf or one that has already been created. This command does not require a client workspace.
p4 resolve	Resolve conflicts between file revision, or resolve a stream spec conflict.
p4 resolve (graph)	Resolve integrations and updates to repo workspace files.
p4 resolved	Display a list of files that have been resolved but not yet submitted.
p4 restore	Restore old archived revisions from an archive depot.
p4 resubmit	Resolve and resubmit some or all unsubmitted changes.
p4 revert	Discard changes made to open files or revert an open stream spec.
p4 revert (graph)	Discard changes from an opened file.
p4 review	List and track changelists (for the review daemon).
p4 reviews	List the users who are subscribed to review files.
p4 revoke-permission (graph)	Remove from a user or group access to a depot of type graph or to a repo.

S

Command	Description
p4 server	Create, modify, or delete a P4 Server specification.
p4 serverid	Get or set the unique ID associated with a P4 Server.
p4 servers	Display list of all server specifications or evaluate replication status.
p4 set	View or set P4 variables used by P4 Server and client applications.
p4 shelve	Store files (or a stream spec) from a pending changelist in the depot without submitting them.
p4 show-permission (graph)	Display the permissions for the specified depot of type graph or a repo.
p4 show-permissions (graph)	Display a user-centric view of the permissions for repo.
p4 show-ref (graph)	Display reference values.
p4 sizes	Display size information for files in the depot.
p4 status	Previews output of open files for add, delete, and/or edit in order to reconcile a workspace with changes made outside of P4 Server.
p4 storage	Display, verify, or update physical archive storage.
p4 stream	Create, edit, delete, or obliterate an instance of a stream An enhanced type of branch with a dedicated view for clients of the stream (see 'stream view') and built-in rules that determine how changes flow across the stream depot (see 'stream hierarchy'). A stream specification defines a stream. In P4V, stream specs are visible in the Streams Graph and the Streams tab. (also known as a stream definition or stream spec).
p4 streamlog	List revision history of streams.
p4 streams	Display a list of streams.
p4 streamspec	Edit the streams template to change, add, or remove spec fields for stream forms.
p4 submit	Submit a pending changelist and the files it contains to the depot, and/or submit an open stream spec.
p4 submit (graph)	Commit open files to the repo.
p4 switch	Create a stream, or switch to a different stream, with an option to populate that stream, or to display current streams.
p4 switch (graph)	Switch to a different branch, or create a branch.
p4 sync	Update the client workspace Directories on your machine where you work on file revisions that are managed by P4 Server. to reflect the contents of the depot A file repository hosted on the P4 Server. A depot is the top-level unit of storage for versioned files, which are also known as depot files, archive files, or source files. It contains all versions of all files ever submitted to the depot. Except for obliterated files, any version of any file can be restored, including deleted files, but not obliterated files. An installation can have multiple depots, and they might be of different types, such as a local depot and a stream depot..
p4 sync (graph)	Synchronize the client workspace with its view of the repo.

T

Command	Description
p4 tag	Tag files with a label
p4 tickets	Display all tickets granted to a user by p4 login.
p4 topology	Reports the P4 servers that are connected directly and indirectly to the innermost server, including an indicator of the server this command is running on.
p4 triggers	Create or display a list of scripts to be run conditionally when certain operations are performed, such as changelist submitted, form updated, journal rotated, and more.
p4 trust	Establish trust of an SSL/TLS connection to a Perforce service.
p4 typemap	View or modify the file name-to-type mapping table.

U

Command	Description
p4 undo	Undo a range of revisions.
p4 unload	Unloads a workspace, label, or task stream to the unload depot or to a flat file.
p4 unlock	Release the lock on one or more files.
p4 unlock (graph)	Release a locked file, leaving it open.
p4 unshelve	Retrieve shelved files and the stream spec from a pending change into a workspace.
p4 unsubmit	Unsubmit a changelist, making it a shelved set of changes.
p4 unzip	Import files from a p4 zip package file.
p4 update	Update a client workspace without overwriting files that have changed since last sync.
p4 upgrades	Show server upgrade status.
p4 user	Create, edit, or delete P4 Server user specifications and preferences.
p4 users	Print a list of all known users of the current Perforce service.

V

Command	Description
p4 verify	Verify that the P4 Server archives (depot files) are intact (complete and without corruption).

W

Command	Description
p4 webserver	Start or stop the P4 Web Server.
p4 where	Show how the specified files are mapped by the client view.
p4 workspace	The p4 workspace command is an alias for p4 client.
p4 workspaces	The p4 workspaces command is an alias for p4 clients.

Z

Command	Description
p4 zip	(DVCS) Package a set of files and their history for use by p4 unzip.