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Dolphin can be launched from the command line with various options to control its behavior, load games, configure settings, and more.

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Usage

Dolphin.exe [options]... [FILE]...

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Options Reference

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--version
flag
Display the program’s version number and exit.
dolphin-emu --version
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-h, --help
flag
Show the help message with all available options and exit.
dolphin-emu --help
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-u USER, --user=USER
string
Specify a custom user folder path for configuration and save data.
dolphin-emu --user=/path/to/user/folder
This is useful for:
  • Using multiple Dolphin configurations
  • Portable installations
  • Testing different settings
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-e FILE, --exec=FILE
string
Load and execute the specified game file.
dolphin-emu --exec=/path/to/game.iso
Supported file formats:
  • ISO, GCM (GameCube/Wii disc images)
  • GCZ (compressed GameCube)
  • WIA, RVZ (compressed disc formats)
  • WBFS (Wii backup file system)
  • WAD (WiiWare/Virtual Console)
  • ELF, DOL (GameCube executables)
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-m MOVIE, --movie=MOVIE
string
Play a movie (input recording) file.
dolphin-emu --movie=/path/to/recording.dtm
Used for:
  • Tool-assisted speedruns (TAS)
  • Input playback
  • Demo recordings
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-n TITLE_ID, --nand_title=TITLE_ID
string
Launch a NAND title using its 16-character ASCII title ID.
dolphin-emu --nand_title=0001000248414C45
This launches installed Wii channels, WiiWare, and Virtual Console titles directly from the NAND.
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-s FILE, --save_state=FILE
string
Load the specified save state file on startup.
dolphin-emu --exec=game.iso --save_state=game.sav
Must be used with --exec or --nand_title.
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-C CONFIG, --config=CONFIG
string
Set a configuration option using the format System.Section.Key=Value.
dolphin-emu --config=Dolphin.General.ISOPath0=/games
See the Configuration Guide for details on available options.Multiple config options can be specified:
dolphin-emu \
  --config=Core.CPUCore=1 \
  --config=Core.Overclock=1.5
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-d, --debugger
flag
Show the debugger pane and additional View menu options on startup.
dolphin-emu --debugger --exec=game.iso
Enables:
  • Code view
  • Registers
  • Breakpoints
  • Memory view
  • Network debugging
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-l, --logger
flag
Open the logger window on startup.
dolphin-emu --logger
Useful for:
  • Development
  • Troubleshooting
  • Viewing emulation warnings
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-b, --batch
flag
Run Dolphin in batch (headless) mode without the user interface.
dolphin-emu --batch --exec=game.iso
Requires --exec or --nand-title. See Batch Mode for more details.
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-c, --confirm
flag
Enable the “Confirm on Stop” dialog.
dolphin-emu --confirm --exec=game.iso
Prevents accidental game termination by requiring confirmation.
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-v VIDEO_BACKEND, --video_backend=VIDEO_BACKEND
string
Specify which video backend to use for rendering.
dolphin-emu --video_backend=Vulkan --exec=game.iso
Available backends:
  • Vulkan - Modern, cross-platform, recommended
  • OGL - OpenGL backend, widely compatible
  • D3D - Direct3D 11 (Windows only)
  • D3D12 - Direct3D 12 (Windows only)
  • Software Renderer - CPU rendering, for debugging only
  • Null - No rendering, for testing
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-a AUDIO_EMULATION, --audio_emulation=AUDIO_EMULATION
string
Choose the audio DSP emulation engine.
dolphin-emu --audio_emulation=LLE --exec=game.iso
Available options:
  • HLE - High Level Emulation (default)
    • Faster performance
    • Less accurate
    • Suitable for most games
  • LLE - Low Level Emulation
    • Slower performance
    • Near-perfect accuracy
    • Required for some games
    • Has two submodes (Interpreter and Recompiler) that cannot be selected from CLI

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Examples

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Launch a game with specific settings

dolphin-emu \
  --exec=/games/SuperSmashBros.iso \
  --video_backend=Vulkan \
  --config=Core.CPUCore=1

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Run in batch mode for automation

dolphin-emu \
  --batch \
  --exec=game.iso \
  --save_state=speedrun.sav

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Launch with debugging enabled

dolphin-emu \
  --exec=game.iso \
  --debugger \
  --logger

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Use custom user directory

dolphin-emu \
  --user=/path/to/portable/dolphin \
  --exec=game.iso

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Play a TAS movie

dolphin-emu \
  --exec=game.iso \
  --movie=worldrecord.dtm

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Platform-Specific Notes

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Windows

The executable is typically Dolphin.exe: 
Dolphin.exe --exec="C:\Games\game.iso"

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Linux

The executable is usually dolphin-emu: 
dolphin-emu --exec=/home/user/games/game.iso

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macOS

Access the binary inside the app bundle: 
/Applications/Dolphin.app/Contents/MacOS/Dolphin --exec=/path/to/game.iso

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Exit Codes

  • 0 - Successful execution
  • Non-zero - Error occurred

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See Also