---
title: Run commands
description: Learn the CLI syntax, input modes, output, and exit codes.
sidebar:
  order: 2
---

Run `rinhelp` followed by a tool name and its inputs. You can pass inputs as JSON or as command flags.

## Basic commands

```sh
rinhelp login
rinhelp logout
rinhelp ops
rinhelp account.whoami --help
```

`rinhelp ops` lists the current tool names. `rinhelp <tool> --help` lists that tool's fields and marks required fields.

## Run a tool

Pass one JSON object with `--input`:

```sh
rinhelp --json widget.preview \
  --input '{"message":"What is your return policy?"}'
```

Read the object from a file, or from standard input with `--input-file -`:

```sh
rinhelp --json inbox.list_items --input-file ./inbox-query.json
cat ./crawl.json | rinhelp --json sources.start_crawl --input-file -
```

Or pass each field as a flag. For example, the JSON field `idempotency_key` becomes the flag `--idempotency-key`:

```sh
rinhelp --json sources.start_crawl \
  --url https://example.com/help \
  --idempotency-key example-help-1
```

Do not mix `--input` or `--input-file` with field flags. The CLI rejects that combination.

## JSON output

`--json` prints one object on standard output. A successful call looks like:

```json
{
  "ok": true,
  "op": "account.whoami",
  "output": {}
}
```

Errors with `--json` look like:

```json
{
  "ok": false,
  "error": {
    "code": "invalid_input",
    "message": "Input must be a JSON object"
  }
}
```

Without `--json`, successful tool results print formatted JSON and errors print to standard error.

## Retry safely

When a tool requires `idempotency_key`, create one key for one request and reuse it only with the same input. The CLI does not create keys for you.

After adding a website, use the returned `run_id` as `source_id` in `sources.show` to check its progress. For a refund approval, stop if Shopify's result is unconfirmed and check the refund status before retrying.

See the [tools reference](/docs/mcp-server/tools) for every tool's accepted inputs, required role, and example.

## Exit codes

- `0`: success.
- `1`: tool, network, or other runtime failure.
- `2`: invalid input or command usage.
- `3`: login is required or the credential expired.
- `4`: the signed-in account is not allowed to use the tool.

If the CLI exits with `3`, run `rinhelp login` again or provide `RINHELP_ACCESS_TOKEN`.