# Options (/docs/reference/options)

Every flag the picker accepts, with its environment variable and default.

Options configure the picker and go with `gh select` alone. A flag always wins over its environment variable. An empty value keeps the built-in default.

```bash
gh select [options]
```

| Option               | Variable                 | Default           | Effect                                                             |
| -------------------- | ------------------------ | ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| `-n`, `--no-cache`   | none                     | off               | skip the cache and fetch fresh data                                |
| `-d`, `--dir DIR`    | `GH_SELECT_CLONE_DIR`    | current directory | clone into `DIR/REPO`                                              |
| `--download-dir DIR` | `GH_SELECT_DOWNLOAD_DIR` | current directory | save release assets and files into `DIR`                           |
| `-p`, `--print-path` | none                     | off               | print the picked repo's path on stdout, cloning it first if needed |
| `--theme NAME`       | `GH_SELECT_THEME`        | `gruvbox`         | color theme                                                        |
| `--border NAME`      | `GH_SELECT_BORDER`       | `none`            | panel border style                                                 |
| `--icons NAME`       | `GH_SELECT_ICONS`        | `nerd`            | `nerd` or `none`                                                   |
| `--transparent`      | `GH_SELECT_TRANSPARENT`  | off               | keep the terminal's background                                     |

## -n, --no-cache [#-n---no-cache]

Skips the cached repository list and fetches before the screen opens. The fresh list is saved afterwards. Starred repositories keep their own cache. See [caching](/docs/how-it-works#caching).

## -d, --dir DIR [#-d---dir-dir]

The root for new clones. A leading `~` is expanded. The folder is created when needed, and a clone lands in `DIR/REPO`, not `DIR/OWNER/REPO`. The root is also searched for existing clones. See [cloning and local clones](/docs/guides/cloning-and-local-clones).

## --download-dir DIR [#--download-dir-dir]

Where release assets and files saved from the tree browser go. A leading `~` is expanded. Existing files are never overwritten. See [releases](/docs/guides/releases) and [saving files](/docs/guides/browsing-and-partial-clone#save-files-without-git).

## -p, --print-path [#-p---print-path]

On `enter`, skips the action menu, clones the repository when it is not on disk, and prints its absolute path on stdout. The screen and git's progress move to stderr. Quitting without a pick exits `130`. See [scripting](/docs/guides/scripting).

## --theme NAME [#--theme-name]

One of the built-in themes or a custom theme from `~/.config/gh-select/themes/NAME.json`. Names are case-insensitive. An unknown name fails with `unknown theme "NAME" (valid: ...)` and lists the valid ones.

| Built-in                                                                                                                 |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| `catppuccin`, `dracula`, `everforest`, `graphite`, `gruvbox`, `kanagawa`, `nord`, `rose-pine`, `solarized`, `tokyonight` |

Setting it pins the theme: `ctrl+t` cycles for the session but does not save. See [themes](/docs/guides/themes).

## --border NAME [#--border-name]

`none`, `hidden`, `rounded`, `sharp`, `double` or `thick`. `none` draws panels without frames, and the others add boxes. `hidden` keeps the bordered layout without drawing the frame.

## --icons NAME [#--icons-name]

`nerd` draws [Nerd Font](https://www.nerdfonts.com) glyphs for private, fork, archived, local and star markers. `none` replaces them with words.

## --transparent [#--transparent]

Does not paint the theme's background, so the terminal's shows through. The environment variable counts as set for any non-empty value.

## Writing a flag [#writing-a-flag]

Flags take `--name value`, `--name=value` and `-name value`. A flag that needs a value and gets none fails with `--dir needs a value`.

## Examples [#examples]

```bash
gh select -d ~/code --theme nord
gh select --border rounded --icons none
gh select -n
cd "$(gh select -p)"
```