Global Options

Verbose Mode

Use the -v / --verbose flag to see more detailed output from any command:

# Show verbose output when installing dependencies
dbx -v install mongo-python-driver -e test

# Show verbose output when running tests
dbx -v test mongo-python-driver

# Show verbose output when cloning repositories
dbx -v clone -g pymongo

# Show verbose output when running just commands
dbx -v just mongo-python-driver lint

What verbose mode shows:

  • Configuration details (base directory, config values)

  • Full command being executed

  • Working directory for subprocess commands

  • Additional diagnostic information

Note: The verbose flag must come before the subcommand (e.g., dbx -v test, not dbx test -v).

Pager Mode

Use the -p / --pager flag to view command output through a pager (less):

# View git branches with a pager
dbx -p branch -g pymongo

# View git logs with a pager
dbx -p log mongo-python-driver

# View configuration with a pager
dbx -p config show

# Combine with verbose mode
dbx -v -p branch -a

When to use pager mode:

  • When viewing output that doesn’t fit on one screen

  • When you want to scroll through git logs or branch listings

  • When reviewing configuration details

How it works:

  • Uses less -R to display output with color support

  • Only activates when stdout is a terminal (not when piping to files)

  • Pagination is opt-in: you must use the -p flag to enable it

  • Works with all commands that produce output

Note: The pager flag must come before the subcommand (e.g., dbx -p branch, not dbx branch -p).

MongoDB Backend Override

Use --backend and --edition to override the MongoDB backend for a single invocation without editing your config:

# Start a project using Docker instead of mongodb-runner
dbx --backend docker project run

# Use Atlas Local (includes Atlas Search & Vector Search)
dbx --backend atlas-local project run

# Use the Enterprise edition with mongodb-runner
dbx --edition enterprise project run
--backend

Overrides [project.mongodb] backend from your config. Accepted values: runner (default, uses npx mongodb-runner), docker (official MongoDB Docker image), atlas-local (mongodb/mongodb-atlas-local Docker image).

--edition

Overrides [project.mongodb] edition from your config. Accepted values: community (default), enterprise.

Both flags must come before the subcommand (e.g., dbx --backend docker project run).