---
title: pack init
versions:
  fpt: '*'
  ghae: '*'
  ghec: '*'
  ghes: '*'
topics:
  - Advanced Security
  - Code scanning
  - CodeQL
type: reference
product: '{% data reusables.gated-features.codeql %}'
autogenerated: codeql-cli
intro: '[Experimental] Initializes a qlpack in the specified directory.'
---


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{% data reusables.codeql-cli.man-pages-version-note %}

## Synopsis

```shell{:copy}
codeql pack init [--dir=<dir>] [--extractor=<extractor>] <options>... -- <package-name>
```

## Description

\[Experimental] Initializes a qlpack in the specified directory.

The pack will be created in a child directory of the specified
directory.

## Primary options

#### `<package-name>`

\[Mandatory] The scope and name of the pack to create. Scope is only
required if this pack is to be published.

#### `--version=<semver>`

Initial version of the pack.

#### `-d, --dir=<dir>`

The directory to create the pack in. Defaults to current working
directory.

#### `-e, --extractor=<extractor>`

The extractor to use for this qlpack. Only useful if this pack contains
tests.

### Common options

#### `-h, --help`

Show this help text.

#### `-J=<opt>`

\[Advanced] Give option to the JVM running the command.

(Beware that options containing spaces will not be handled correctly.)

#### `-v, --verbose`

Incrementally increase the number of progress messages printed.

#### `-q, --quiet`

Incrementally decrease the number of progress messages printed.

#### `--verbosity=<level>`

\[Advanced] Explicitly set the verbosity level to one of errors,
warnings, progress, progress+, progress++, progress+++. Overrides `-v`
and `-q`.

#### `--logdir=<dir>`

\[Advanced] Write detailed logs to one or more files in the given
directory, with generated names that include timestamps and the name of
the running subcommand.

(To write a log file with a name you have full control over, instead
give `--log-to-stderr` and redirect stderr as desired.)