CVS Commands

Here (finally) are details on all the cvs commands and the options each accepts. The summary lines at the top of each command's description highlight three kinds of things:

Command Options and Argument

Special options are described in detail below; common command options may appear only in the summary line.

Working Directory, or Repository?

Some cvs commands require a working directory to operate; some require a repository. Also, some commands change the repository, some change the working directory, and some change nothing.

Synonyms

Many commands have synonyms, which you may find easier to remember (or type) than the principal name.

add [ k kflag] [ m 'message'] files...
admin [rcs options] files...
checkout [options] modules...
[files ...] commit [ lnR] [ m 'log_message' | -f file] [ r revision]
[files...] diff [ kl] [rcsdiff_options] [[ r rev1 | -D date1] [ r rev2 | -D date2]]
export [ flNnQq] -r rev| D date [ d dir] module...
history [ report] [ flags] [ options args] [files...]
import [ options] repository vendortag releasetag...
log [ l] rlog options [files...]
rdiff [ flags] [ V vn] [ r t| D d [ r t2| D d2]] modules...
release [ dQq] modules...
remove [ lR] [files...]
modules... rtag [ falnRQq] [ b] [ d] [ r tag | -D date] symbolic_tag
status [ lR] [ v] [files...]
tag [ lQqR] [ b] [ d] symbolic_tag [files...]
update [ AdflPpQqR] [ d] [ r tag| D date] files... RC