> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://developer.celigo.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://developer.celigo.com/cli/using-the-cli/output-formats.md).

# Output formats

The CLI emits results in one of two formats: JSON (machine-readable) or table (human-readable). Default is JSON.

## Forcing a format

```bash
celigo flows list --format json
celigo flows list --format table
```

Or persist the choice on a profile:

```bash
celigo config set default_format table
```

Or per session:

```bash
export CELIGO_FORMAT=table
```

Priority: `--format` CLI flag > `CELIGO_FORMAT` env var > profile `default_format` > default (`json`).

## Table format

Each resource type defines its own column set — commonly `_id`, `name`, and one or two business-relevant fields. Those columns are also what a `list` command requests from the API by default, so `--format table` and the default JSON listing carry the same fields.

```
_id                        name                        disabled  lastModified
-------------------------  --------------------------  --------  --------------------
5f83a9b2c7d3e8f1a2b3c4d5   Shopify → NetSuite orders   false     2026-04-21T12:15Z
6a1b2c3d4e5f6a7b8c9d0e1f   NetSuite → Salesforce       false     2026-04-20T09:02Z
```

If a resource type doesn't define columns (mostly custom RPC-style responses), the CLI falls back to JSON.

## JSON format

For a single resource, `get` returns an object. `list` returns an array.

`get` returns the complete resource body. `list` returns a projected row by default: `_id`, `name`, and the fields behind the table columns. Pass `--fields all` for complete documents, or a comma-separated list for specific fields. See [Global flags](/cli/getting-started/global-flags.md) for the full projection rules.

```bash
# Projected rows: identity plus the table columns
celigo flows list

# Complete flow documents
celigo flows list --fields all

# Slice a projected listing further
celigo flows list --jq '.[] | {_id, name, disabled}'
```

### Indentation

JSON is indented by two spaces when stdout is a terminal, and printed compact when it is piped or redirected. The compact form avoids sending whitespace through a pipeline. Both forms parse identically:

```bash
celigo flows list                    # indented, readable
celigo flows list | jq '.[0].name'   # compact
celigo flows list > flows.json       # compact
```

## `--jq`

`--jq <expr>` runs the response through jq without piping:

```bash
celigo flows get 5f83a9b2c7d3e8f1a2b3c4d5 --jq '.pageGenerators[]._exportId'
```

`--jq` forces JSON output; it's incompatible with `--format table`.

On a `list` command, `--jq` also requests complete documents, so the expression can address any field. That holds only while `--fields` is absent — an explicit `--fields` projects the rows first, and fields outside the projection then resolve to `null`.

## Pagination and format

`list` commands auto-paginate via `Link` headers (up to 50 pages by default). The full result set is returned as one flat array.

For body-paginated endpoints (like `flows errors`), the CLI follows `nextPageURL` in the response body and concatenates pages.

To inspect pagination manually, use `--verbose` (see [Global flags](/cli/getting-started/global-flags.md)).

## Color

ANSI color is enabled when stdout is a TTY. Disable with `NO_COLOR=1` (standard) or by piping output.