# man > aleph(1)

---
type: CommandReference
command: aleph
mode: man
section: "1"
source: man-pages
---

## Quick Reference
- `aleph file.tex` — Compile `file.tex` to `file.dvi`
- `aleph --fmt=latex file.tex` — Use a specific format (e.g., LaTeX)
- `aleph --ini` — Start in initial mode to dump formats
- `aleph --help` — Print help and exit
- `aleph --version` — Print version information and exit
- `aleph --output-directory=dir file.tex` — Write output files to `dir`
- `aleph --shell-escape file.tex` — Allow shell commands from within TeX
- `aleph --interaction=batchmode file.tex` — Run without stopping for errors

## Name
aleph — extended Unicode TeX

## Synopsis
**aleph** [_options_] [**&**_format_] [_file_|**\**_commands_]

## Options
- `-cnf-line string` — Parse `string` as a `texmf.cnf` configuration line.
- `--fmt format` — Use `format` as the format name (instead of calling name or `%&` line).
- `--halt-on-error` — Exit with an error code when an error occurs during processing.
- `--help` — Print help message and exit.
- `--ini` — Start in initial mode for dumping formats (implicit if invoked as `inialeph`).
- `--interaction mode` — Set interaction mode to `batchmode`, `nonstopmode`, `scrollmode`, or `errorstopmode` (same as corresponding TeX commands).
- `--ipc` — Send DVI output to a socket as well as the usual output file (availability installer‑dependent).
- `--ipc-start` — Like `--ipc`, also starts the server at the other end (availability installer‑dependent).
- `--kpathsea-debug bitmask` — Set path‑searching debugging flags according to the bitmask.
- `--maketex fmt` — Enable mktex for `fmt` (`tex` or `tfm`).
- `--no-maketex fmt` — Disable mktex for `fmt`.
- `--output-comment string` — Use `string` for the DVI file comment instead of the date.
- `--output-directory directory` — Write output files in `directory` instead of the current directory; look up input files there first.
- `--parse-first-line` — If the first line of the main input file begins with `%&`, parse it for a dump name.
- `--progname name` — Pretend to be program `name` (affects format used and search paths).
- `--recorder` — Enable the filename recorder (always on in this version); leaves a trace of opened files in a `.ofl` file.
- `--shell-escape` — Enable `\write18{command}` construct; by default this is enabled in a restricted mode for security.
- `--version` — Print version information and exit.

### Environment Variables
- `TEXMFOUTPUT` — Directory for output files if the current directory is not writable; also checked for input files (no default).
- `TEXINPUTS` — Search path for `\input` and `\openin` files; should start with `.` (an empty component is replaced with the paths defined in `texmf.cnf`).
- `TEXEDIT` — Command template for switching to editor; default is usually `vi`.

## Bugs
- This version of Aleph implements optional extensions; when enabled, the banner changes to **Alephk** instead of **Aleph**.
- Arithmetic overflow during dimension addition/subtraction is not trapped; rare, but results in invalid DVI.

## See Also
- [tex(1)](https://www.chedong.com/phpMan.php/man/tex/1/markdown)
- [mf(1)](https://www.chedong.com/phpMan.php/man/mf/1/markdown)

## Notes
Complete documentation is in the info manual _Web2C: A TeX implementation_. See <http://tug/org/web2c>.