Using the CLI

# Using the CLI

The `stompchain` command does everything the editor does, plus a few things only a command line makes convenient: bulk backups, scripted parameter changes, and protocol work.

## Everyday commands

```sh
stompchain list             # find attached devices
stompchain info             # identity and firmware
stompchain presets          # every preset by name
stompchain select 7         # load index 7, which the device labels 03B
stompchain chain            # the signal chain, named, with values
stompchain topology         # the chain as it is wired, one row per branch
stompchain set 4 Drive 5.0  # set a parameter by name, in displayed units
stompchain enable 4 off     # bypass a block
stompchain snapshot 2       # switch snapshot
stompchain move 4 5         # reorder blocks
stompchain save             # commit the edit buffer; without this, edits are lost
```

Preset indices are zero-based within a setlist: index 7 is `03B`. Parameter values are typed in the units HX Edit displays (`5.0` on a knob shown 0..10, `100` on a percentage, `Limit` on a switch) and converted for you.

## Backups and files

```sh
stompchain backup tone.bin  # the loaded preset, byte for byte
stompchain restore tone.bin # and back again
stompchain backup-all dir/  # every preset in the setlist, one file each
stompchain export tone.json # human-readable export, for diffing
stompchain import a.hlx --dry-run   # preview an .hlx; needs no hardware
```

A backup is the device's own preset document, untouched. Restoring one puts back exactly what was there, including anything this editor does not model.

## Blocks, routing, settings

```sh
stompchain copy-block 1 3   # copy a block over another slot
stompchain copy-snapshot 1 2
stompchain route 0 "Return" # route an input or output
stompchain setting 203      # read a device setting; set-setting writes
stompchain rename 7 "New Name"
stompchain ir-load 1 cab.wav
```

## Watching and poking

```sh
stompchain watch            # stream front-panel activity
stompchain models           # browse the catalog; needs no hardware
stompchain decode capture.log   # decode a USB capture; needs no hardware
```

`watch` prints what the device reports as you touch the front panel, which is also the fastest way to discover what an unlabelled control actually sends. `decode` replays the captures the protocol documentation was reconstructed from; the [opcode dictionary](/opcodes/) is the map.

The stompchain command does everything the editor does, plus a few things only a command line makes convenient: bulk backups, scripted parameter changes, and protocol work.

Everyday commands

stompchain list             # find attached devices
stompchain info             # identity and firmware
stompchain presets          # every preset by name
stompchain select 7         # load index 7, which the device labels 03B
stompchain chain            # the signal chain, named, with values
stompchain topology         # the chain as it is wired, one row per branch
stompchain set 4 Drive 5.0  # set a parameter by name, in displayed units
stompchain enable 4 off     # bypass a block
stompchain snapshot 2       # switch snapshot
stompchain move 4 5         # reorder blocks
stompchain save             # commit the edit buffer; without this, edits are lost

Preset indices are zero-based within a setlist: index 7 is 03B. Parameter values are typed in the units HX Edit displays (5.0 on a knob shown 0..10, 100 on a percentage, Limit on a switch) and converted for you.

Backups and files

stompchain backup tone.bin  # the loaded preset, byte for byte
stompchain restore tone.bin # and back again
stompchain backup-all dir/  # every preset in the setlist, one file each
stompchain export tone.json # human-readable export, for diffing
stompchain import a.hlx --dry-run   # preview an .hlx; needs no hardware

A backup is the device’s own preset document, untouched. Restoring one puts back exactly what was there, including anything this editor does not model.

Blocks, routing, settings

stompchain copy-block 1 3   # copy a block over another slot
stompchain copy-snapshot 1 2
stompchain route 0 "Return" # route an input or output
stompchain setting 203      # read a device setting; set-setting writes
stompchain rename 7 "New Name"
stompchain ir-load 1 cab.wav

Watching and poking

stompchain watch            # stream front-panel activity
stompchain models           # browse the catalog; needs no hardware
stompchain decode capture.log   # decode a USB capture; needs no hardware

watch prints what the device reports as you touch the front panel, which is also the fastest way to discover what an unlabelled control actually sends. decode replays the captures the protocol documentation was reconstructed from; the opcode dictionary is the map.