CLI

CS:DM comes with a CLI (Command Line Interface) with multiple commands, allowing you to do tasks without running the GUI.

Installation

Windows

The CLI is automatically installed when you install the application with the installer.

macOS

1. Install the application following the installation guide
2. From a terminal, run:
   echo '\nexport PATH="/Applications/CS Demo Manager.app/Contents/Resources:$PATH"' >> ~/.zshrc
3. Restart your terminal

caution

The above command assumes that the you are using the default macOS shell zsh (since macOS Catalina). If you are using another shell, you have to replace ~/.zshrc with the correct configuration file.

Linux

1. Install the application following the installation guide
2. Find the path where the application is installed. It depends of your distribution, for example:
   • Debian dpkg -L cs-demo-manager (should be /opt/CS Demo Manager)
   • RPM rpm -ql cs-demo-manager (should be /usr/share/cs-demo-manager)
3. From a terminal run (replace /the/app/path with the real application path):
   echo '\nexport PATH="/the/app/path:$PATH"' >> ~/.bashrc
4. Restart your terminal

caution

The above command assumes that your shell is bash. If you are using another shell, you have to replace ~/.bashrc with the correct configuration file.

Usage

Windows

Open a Windows terminal and type csdm, it will display all available commands.

caution

If you have a message csdm not found, it means that the folder where the CLI executable csdm.exe is located is not in your PATH environment variable.
The default path is C:\Users\Username\AppData\Programs\CS Demo Manager and you can follow this guide to add it to your PATH variable.

macOS

Open a terminal and type csdm, it will display all available commands.

caution

If you have a message command not found, it means the folder where the CLI executable csdm is located is not in your PATH environment variable.
Please follow the installation instructions above.

Linux

Open a terminal and type csdm, it will display all available commands.

caution

If you have a message command not found, it means the folder where the CLI executable csdm is located is not in your PATH environment variable.
Please follow the installation instructions above.

Download Valve demos

Download the last MM demos of the current Steam account or from share codes.

csdm dl-valve [shareCodes...] [--output]

warning

You must be connected to your Steam account to use this command.

Name	Default	Mandatory	Description
[shareCodes]		No	Share codes to download.
--output	1. Folder specified in the CS:DM settings 2. CS folder replays 3. Current directory	No	Directory where demos will be downloaded.

Examples

To download last MM demos of the current Steam account:

csdm dl-valve

To download demos from share codes:

csdm dl-valve CSGO-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX CSGO-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX

To change the directory where demos will be downloaded:

csdm dl-valve --output "C:\Users\username\Downloads"

Download FACEIT demos

danger

This command is currently disabled, see here for details.

Download the last demos of the current FACEIT account set in the application or from its nickname.

csdm dl-faceit [--nickname] [--output]

Name	Default	Mandatory	Description
--nickname	Account's nickname set in the application	No	Account's nickname to download demos.
--output	1. Folder specified in the CS:DM settings 2. CS folder replays 3. Current directory	No	Directory where demos will be downloaded.

Examples

To download last FACEIT demos of the current FACEIT account:

csdm dl-faceit

To download demos of a specific account identified by its nickname:

csdm dl-faceit --nickname "PlayerNickname"

To change the directory where demos will be downloaded:

csdm dl-faceit --output "C:\Users\username\Downloads"

Download Renown demos

Download the last demos of the current Renown account set in the application or from a Steam ID.

csdm dl-renown [--steamid] [--output]

Name	Default	Mandatory	Description
--steamid	Current account's Steam ID set in the application	No	Account's Steam ID to download demos.
--output	1. Folder specified in the CS:DM settings 2. CS folder replays 3. Current directory	No	Directory where demos will be downloaded.

Examples

To download last Renown demos of the current Renown account:

csdm dl-renown

To download demos of a specific account identified by its Steam ID:

csdm dl-renown --steamid "PlayerSteamID64"

To change the directory where demos will be downloaded:

csdm dl-renown --output "C:\Users\username\Downloads"

Download 5EPLAY demos

Download the last demos of the current 5EPLAY account set in the application or from its ID.

csdm dl-5eplay [--id] [--output]

Name	Default	Mandatory	Description
--id	Current account's 5EPLAY ID set in the application	No	Account's 5EPLAY ID to download demos.
--output	1. Folder specified in the CS:DM settings 2. CS folder replays 3. Current directory	No	Directory where demos will be downloaded.

tip

To find your 5EPlay ID:

1. Log in to your 5EPlay account.
2. Go to your profile page.
3. Copy the last segment of the URL. For example, if your profile URL is https://arena.5eplay.com/data/player/1111, your 5EPlay ID is 1111.

Examples

To download last 5EPlay demos of the current 5EPLAY account:

csdm dl-5eplay

To download demos of a specific account identified by its ID:

csdm dl-5eplay --id "Player5EPLAYID"

To change the directory where demos will be downloaded:

csdm dl-5eplay --output "C:\Users\username\Downloads"

Analyze demos

Analyze demos and persist them in the database.

csdm analyze demoPaths... [--source] [--force]

Name	Default	Mandatory	Description
demoPaths		Yes	Demos paths, can be either a .dem files path or a directory. It can be relative or absolute.
--source		No	Force the analysis logic of the demo analyzer. Available values: challengermode,ebot,esea,esl,esportal,faceit,fastcup,5eplay,perfectworld,popflash,valve
--force	false	No	Force demo analysis even if they are already in the database.

Examples

Analyze 1 demo:

csdm analyze "C:\Users\username\Desktop\demo.dem"

Analyze multiple demos:

csdm analyze "C:\Users\username\Desktop\demo.dem" "C:\Users\username\Desktop\demo2.dem"

Analyze all demos in a directory using the ESL analyzer and re-analyze demos that have already been analyzed:

csdm analyze "C:\Users\username\Desktop\MyFolder" --source esl --force

Export demos to XLSX

Analyze and export demos to either a single or multiple XLSX files.

csdm xlsx demoPaths... [--output-folder] [--source] [--single] [--sheets] [--force-analyze]

Name	Default	Mandatory	Description
demoPaths		Yes	Demos paths, can be either a .dem files path or a directory. It can be relative or absolute.
--source		No	Force the analysis logic of the demo analyzer. Available values: challengermode,ebot,esea,esl,esportal,faceit,fastcup,5eplay,perfectworld,popflash,valve
--output-folder	Current directory	No	Directory where output files will be saved.
--single	false	No	Generates a single XLSX file instead of one per demo.
--sheets	All sheets	No	Includes only sheets identified by its name. Available values: [general,players,rounds,kills].
--force-analyze	false	No	Force demo analysis even if they are already in the database.

Examples

Export 1 demo:

csdm xlsx "C:\Users\username\Desktop\demo.dem"

Export multiple demos with only the "Rounds" and "Kills" sheets:

csdm xlsx "C:\Users\username\Desktop\demo.dem" "C:\Users\username\Desktop\demo2.dem" --sheets rounds,kills

Export all demos in a directory using the ESL analyzer and save it in a custom directory:

csdm xlsx "C:\Users\username\Desktop\MyFolder" --output-folder "C:\Users\username\Documents" --source esl

Export demos to JSON

Analyze and export demos into JSON files.

csdm json demoPaths... [--output-folder] [--source] [--minify] [--force-analyze]

Name	Default	Mandatory	Description
demoPaths		Yes	Demos paths, can be either a .dem files path or a directory. It can be relative or absolute.
--source		No	Force the analysis logic of the demo analyzer. Available values: challengermode,ebot,esea,esl,esportal,faceit,fastcup,5eplay,perfectworld,popflash,valve
--output-folder	Current directory	No	Directory where output files will be saved.
--minify	false	No	Minify the JSON files.
--force-analyze	false	No	Force demo analysis even if they are already in the database.

Examples

Export 1 demo:

csdm json "C:\Users\username\Desktop\demo.dem"

Export multiple demos in a custom directory and minify the JSON files:

csdm json "C:\Users\username\Desktop\demo.dem" "C:\Users\username\Desktop\demo2.dem" --output-folder "C:\Users\username\Documents" --minify

Generate videos

Generate videos from demos.

warning

• It is recommended to read the video documentation before using this command.
• Third-party software will be downloaded automatically if not already installed.
• Demos must have been analyzed and be present in the database.

There are 3 ways to invoke this command:

1. By specifying a tick range

   csdm video <demoPath> <startTick> <endTick> [options]

2. By focusing on player events (it will auto-generate sequences)

   csdm video <demoPath> --mode player --steamids <id1,id2> --event <event> [options]

3. By using a JSON config file

   csdm video --config-file <path> [options]

Name	Default	Mandatory	Description
demoPath		Yes	Path to the .dem file to record from (or provided via --config-file).
startTick		Yes*	Start tick of the sequence to record. Required unless using --mode player or --config-file.
endTick		Yes*	End tick of the sequence to record. Required unless using --mode player or --config-file.
--config-file <path>		No	Path to a JSON config file. Supports comments; must include demoPath.
--output <path>	Demo folder	No	Output folder path (short -o). Defaults to demo directory.
--framerate <number>	CS:DM settings	No	Output frame rate.
--width <number>	CS:DM settings	No	Output width in pixels (min 800).
--height <number>	CS:DM settings	No	Output height in pixels (min 600).
--close-game-after-recording	CS:DM settings	No	Close the game when recording finishes.
--no-close-game-after-recording	CS:DM settings	No	Do not close the game after recording.
--concatenate-sequences	CS:DM settings	No	Concatenate recorded sequences into a single video.
--no-concatenate-sequences	CS:DM settings	No	Export each recorded sequence separately.
--encoder-software <string>	CS:DM settings	No	Software encoder. Allowed values: FFmpeg, VirtualDub.
--recording-system <string>	CS:DM settings	No	Recording system. Allowed values: HLAE, CS.
--recording-output <string>	CS:DM settings	No	Output type. Allowed values: video, images, images-and-video.
--ffmpeg-executable-path <string>	CS:DM settings	No	Path to FFmpeg executable.
--ffmpeg-crf <number>	CS:DM settings	No	FFmpeg CRF (quality). Lower = higher quality (0–51).
--ffmpeg-audio-bitrate <number>	CS:DM settings	No	FFmpeg audio bitrate in kbps (min 8).
--ffmpeg-video-codec <string>	CS:DM settings	No	FFmpeg video codec (e.g., libx264, libx265).
--ffmpeg-audio-codec <string>	CS:DM settings	No	FFmpeg audio codec (e.g., aac, libopus).
--ffmpeg-video-container <string>	CS:DM settings	No	Output container. Allowed values: mp4, avi, mkv.
--ffmpeg-input-parameters <string>	CS:DM settings	No	Extra FFmpeg input parameters.
--ffmpeg-output-parameters <string>	CS:DM settings	No	Extra FFmpeg output parameters.
--show-x-ray	CS:DM settings	No	Enable X-Ray during recording.
--no-show-x-ray	CS:DM settings	No	Disable X-Ray during recording.
--show-assists	CS:DM settings	No	Show assists in HUD.
--no-show-assists	CS:DM settings	No	Hide assists in HUD.
--show-only-death-notices	CS:DM settings	No	Show only death notices HUD.
--no-show-only-death-notices	CS:DM settings	No	Show full HUD (not only death notices).
--record-audio	CS:DM settings	No	Record game audio.
--no-record-audio	CS:DM settings	No	Do not record game audio.
--player-voices	CS:DM settings	No	Enable in-game player voices.
--no-player-voices	CS:DM settings	No	Disable in-game player voices.
--death-notices-duration <number>	CS:DM settings	No	Duration in seconds of death notices.
--cfg <string>	CS:DM settings	No	Plain text config executed before recording.
--focus-player <steamID64>	-	No	Focus on a specific player by their SteamID64.

Player mode

The --mode player option auto-generates sequences around player events.

Name	Default	Mandatory	Description
--mode player		Yes	Enable player mode.
--steamids <id1,id2,...>		Yes	Comma-separated SteamID64s to build sequences for.
--event <string>		Yes	Event type. Allowed values: kills, deaths, rounds.
--perspective <string>	player	No	Camera's perspective. Allowed values: player, enemy.
--rounds <n,n,...>		No	Comma-separated round numbers to filter.
--start-seconds-before <n>	2	No	Seconds before event to start sequence.
--end-seconds-after <n>	2	No	Seconds after event to end sequence.

Config file

You can use a JSON config file to configure all recording options. The easiest way to generate one and see all possible options is to export one from the application by clicking on the 3-dot menu in the Video view and clicking on Export as JSON.

Example as of version 3.17.0:

{
  "demoPath": "C:\\Users\\USERNAME\\demos\\my-demo.dem",
  "outputFolderPath": "C:\\Users\\USERNAME\\Desktop",
  "recordingSystem": "CS",
  "recordingOutput": "video",
  "encoderSoftware": "FFmpeg",
  "width": 1280,
  "height": 720,
  "framerate": 30,
  "closeGameAfterRecording": true,
  "concatenateSequences": false,
  "ffmpegSettings": {
    "audioBitrate": 256,
    "constantRateFactor": 23,
    "customLocationEnabled": false,
    "customExecutableLocation": "",
    "videoContainer": "avi",
    "videoCodec": "libx264",
    "audioCodec": "libmp3lame",
    "inputParameters": "",
    "outputParameters": ""
  },
  "sequences": [
    {
      "number": 1,
      "startTick": 1351,
      "endTick": 4675,
      "showOnlyDeathNotices": true,
      "deathNoticesDuration": 5,
      "playersOptions": [
        {
          "steamId": "STEAM_ID_REDACTED",
          "playerName": "Player 1",
          "showKill": true,
          "highlightKill": false,
          "isVoiceEnabled": true
        }
      ],
      "playerCameras": [
        {
          "tick": 2227,
          "playerSteamId": "STEAM_ID_REDACTED",
          "playerName": "Player 1"
        }
      ],
      "cameras": [
        {
          "tick": 3206,
          "id": "cf25dfc2-8d3b-4bf9-9c5f-f6c729579b6c",
          "name": "Top mid",
          "color": "#FDCB6E"
        }
      ],
      "showXRay": true,
      "showAssists": true,
      "playerVoicesEnabled": true,
      "recordAudio": true
    }
  ]
}

Examples

Record a video from tick 1200 to 4000 and use current CS:DM video settings:

csdm video "E:\cs\demo.dem" 1200 4000

Record a 1080p60 MP4 using FFmpeg:

csdm video "E:\cs\demo.dem" 1200 4000 --framerate 60 --width 1920 --height 1080 --encoder-software FFmpeg --ffmpeg-video-container mp4

Use HLAE + FFmpeg, disable X-Ray and focus on a specific player:

csdm video "E:\cs\demo.dem" 1200 4000 --recording-system HLAE --encoder-software FFmpeg --no-show-x-ray --focus-player 76561198000697560

Generate sequences for specific players’ kills in rounds 5–10:

csdm video "E:\cs\demo.dem" --mode player --steamids 76561198000697560,76561198000000000 --event Kills --rounds 5,6,7,8,9,10 --start-seconds-before 3 --end-seconds-after 3

Use a JSON config file (JSONC allowed) to drive recording:

csdm video --config-file "E:\configs\record.jsonc" --encoder-software FFmpeg

Example record.jsonc:

{
  // Required demo path
  "demoPath": "E:\\cs\\demo.dem",
  // Optional overrides (fallback to CS:DM settings)
  "framerate": 60,
  "width": 1920,
  "height": 1080,
  "concatenateSequences": true,
  "ffmpegSettings": {
    "videoCodec": "libx264",
    "videoContainer": "mp4",
  },
}