# ctx.args

The `ctx.args` value is a read-only list of the strings that follow the script file name on the command line.

## Usage

```python
ctx.args
```

## Returns

A frozen list of strings. In a standalone script, it holds every token after the script file name, exactly as typed,
including tokens such as `--help` or `--config` that look like Atmos options: everything after the script name belongs to
the script. Atmos global flags such as `--chdir=dir` go before the script path and are not part of the list. In every other entry point, such as a custom command, workflow step, or hook, the list is empty.

A script that declares its interface with [`cli.command`](/functions/automation/cli.command) can still read the raw tokens
here. The parsed values arrive in the arguments of its entry function.

## Examples

### Require one argument

Run it with `./summarize.star services.json`.

### Handle a variable number of arguments

```python
#!/usr/bin/env atmos
if len(ctx.args) == 0:
    fail("usage: ./check.star <stack>...")

for stack in ctx.args:
    ui.info("Checking " + stack)
```

```shell
./check.star dev staging
```

```text
▶ Checking dev
▶ Checking staging
```

## Related

- [`cli.command`](/functions/automation/cli.command) parses arguments and flags into typed values.
- [`ctx.script`](/functions/automation/ctx.script) names the script file.
- [`ctx`](/functions/automation/ctx) lists every context attribute.
- [Standalone CLI apps](/automation/standalone-cli-apps)