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This page provides a comprehensive reference for all CLI options available in the CoW Protocol Watch Tower.

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Global options

These options are available across multiple commands.

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Database options

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--database-path
string
default:"./database"
Path to the database directory where the Watch Tower stores its state.Environment variable: DATABASE_PATHAvailable in: run, dump-db

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Logging options

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--log-level
string
default:"INFO"
Log level for the Watch Tower. Controls the verbosity of logging output.Possible values: ERROR, WARN, INFO, DEBUG, TRACEEnvironment variable: LOG_LEVELAvailable in: run, dump-db

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Run command options

These options are specific to the run command.

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Configuration

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--config-path
string
default:"./config.json"
Path to the chain configuration file. This file defines the networks to monitor and their settings.Environment variable: CONFIG_PATH
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--only-owner
string[]
Addresses of contracts or safes to monitor conditional orders for. Can be specified multiple times to monitor multiple owners. Addresses must be valid hex-prefixed Ethereum addresses.Example: --only-owner 0x1234... --only-owner 0x5678...

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Execution mode

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--dry-run
boolean
default:"false"
Run in dry-run mode without publishing orders to the OrderBook API. The Watch Tower will process orders but not submit them.Environment variable: DRY_RUN
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--one-shot
boolean
default:"false"
Run the Watch Tower once and exit immediately. Useful for testing or cron-based execution.Environment variable: ONE_SHOT

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API options

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--disable-api
boolean
default:"false"
Disable the REST API server. When disabled, the Watch Tower runs without the HTTP API interface.Environment variable: DISABLE_API
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--api-port
number
default:"8080"
Port for the REST API server. Only applicable when the API is enabled.Environment variable: API_PORT

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Notification options

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--silent
boolean
default:"false"
Disable notifications and use local logging only. Conflicts with --slack-webhook.Environment variable: DISABLE_NOTIFICATIONS
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--slack-webhook
string
Slack webhook URL for sending notifications. Cannot be used with --silent.Environment variable: SLACK_WEBHOOK

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Dump database command options

These options are specific to the dump-db command.
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--chain-id
number
required
Chain ID to dump from the database. This is a required parameter.Example: 1 (Ethereum mainnet), 100 (Gnosis Chain), 11155111 (Sepolia)

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Environment variables

All options can be configured using environment variables. The table below shows the mapping between CLI options and environment variables:
CLI OptionEnvironment VariableDefault Value
--config-pathCONFIG_PATH./config.json
--database-pathDATABASE_PATH./database
--log-levelLOG_LEVELINFO
--dry-runDRY_RUNfalse
--one-shotONE_SHOTfalse
--disable-apiDISABLE_APIfalse
--api-portAPI_PORT8080
--silentDISABLE_NOTIFICATIONSfalse
--slack-webhookSLACK_WEBHOOK-

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Using environment variables

You can use a .env file or export variables directly: 
# .env file
CONFIG_PATH=./my-config.json
DATABASE_PATH=./my-database
LOG_LEVEL=DEBUG
DRY_RUN=true
API_PORT=3000
SLACK_WEBHOOK=https://hooks.slack.com/services/YOUR/WEBHOOK/URL
Or export them in your shell: 
export CONFIG_PATH=./my-config.json
export DATABASE_PATH=./my-database
export LOG_LEVEL=DEBUG

watch-tower run

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Option precedence

When the same option is specified in multiple ways, the following precedence applies (highest to lowest):
  1. Command-line arguments
  2. Environment variables
  3. Default values

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Type validation

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Address validation

The --only-owner option validates that addresses are:
  • Valid hexadecimal strings
  • Prefixed with 0x
  • Valid Ethereum addresses (checksummed)

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Number validation

Numeric options like --api-port and --chain-id must be valid integers.

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Conflicts

The following options conflict with each other and cannot be used together:
  • --silent and --slack-webhook: You cannot disable notifications while also providing a Slack webhook.

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