> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.trytalkvalue.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Global flags

> Flags available on every TalkValue CLI command: format, profile, API URL, color, help, version.

These flags work on every command and subcommand. They override defaults set by environment variables and saved profiles.

## Reference

| Flag                          | Description                                                                                 |
| ----------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `--format <json\|table\|csv>` | Output format. Defaults to `table` for a TTY and `json` when output is piped or redirected. |
| `--json`                      | Shorthand for `--format json`.                                                              |
| `--profile <name>`            | Use a specific saved auth profile instead of the active one.                                |
| `--api-url <url>`             | Override the TalkValue API base URL. Useful for staging environments.                       |
| `--no-color`                  | Disable ANSI color in table output. Equivalent to `NO_COLOR=1`.                             |
| `-h`, `--help`                | Show help for the command or subcommand.                                                    |
| `-V`, `--version`             | Show the installed CLI version.                                                             |

## Order of precedence

For settings that overlap with environment variables or profiles, the CLI resolves them in this order. Flag wins over env wins over profile:

| Setting       | Flag                  | Env var                    | Profile / default       |
| ------------- | --------------------- | -------------------------- | ----------------------- |
| Output format | `--format` / `--json` | —                          | Auto-detect TTY         |
| Auth profile  | `--profile <name>`    | `TALKVALUE_PROFILE`        | Active profile          |
| API base URL  | `--api-url <url>`     | `TALKVALUE_API_URL`        | Built-in production URL |
| Color         | `--no-color`          | `NO_COLOR` / `FORCE_COLOR` | Auto-detect TTY         |

API tokens are an exception: `TALKVALUE_TOKEN` in the environment always overrides any saved profile, with no flag equivalent. See [Authentication](/cli/authentication).

## Help on any command

`--help` is available at every level of the command tree:

```bash theme={null}
talkvalue --help
talkvalue path --help
talkvalue path person list --help
```

Each `--help` page lists the subcommands or options for that scope, plus the global flags above.

## Related

* [Output format](/cli/output-format). How `--format` and `--json` behave.
* [Environment variables](/cli/environment-variables). The env-var counterparts.
* [Authentication](/cli/authentication). `--profile` and credential precedence.
* [Exit codes](/cli/exit-codes). Pair with `--json` and stderr for scripting.