What is SS64 Command line reference?

Updated

SS64 is a long-running command line reference site that documents command syntax, options, and usage notes across several platforms. It covers Windows CMD, PowerShell, macOS and Linux bash, plus SQL Server database commands. It also includes auxiliary sections such as ASCII, VBScript, Tools, and Passwords. It is aimed at developers, system administrators, and anyone who needs to look up how a command works without leaving the browser.

What SS64 covers

The site organizes its material by shell or platform, so you can go straight to the reference set that matches your environment.

Area What you find there
Windows CMD Command syntax, switches, and usage notes for the classic Windows command prompt
PowerShell Cmdlet and syntax reference for Microsoft's scripting shell
macOS Command line reference for the macOS environment
Linux bash Bash command reference for Linux systems
SQL Server Database command reference
Auxiliary pages ASCII tables, VBScript, Tools, and Passwords

The homepage describes itself simply as a "Command line reference," and the footer notes a copyright range of 1999–2026 with a last update of Oct 9. That long lifespan is part of why it shows up so often in search results: it has been a stable, text-first reference for decades.

How people use it

SS64 is a lookup resource, not a tutorial platform. Typical use looks like this:

  1. You are writing a script or working in a terminal and forget the exact flag for a command.
  2. You search for the command name plus "ss64" or land on the site directly.
  3. You read the syntax line, the option table, and any notes about platform differences.
  4. You copy the pattern into your own command and adjust the arguments.

Because the pages are plain and fast to load, it works well as a browser tab you keep open while working. For example, if you need to check whether a CMD command supports a particular switch, or how a bash builtin behaves, the reference page gives you the syntax and a short explanation rather than a full lesson.

Who it is for

  • Developers who switch between Windows and Unix-like systems and need one place to check command differences.
  • System administrators who write scripts and want a quick syntax confirmation.
  • Beginners who have seen a command in documentation or a forum post and want to understand its options.
  • Anyone who prefers a lightweight reference over a search engine result full of unrelated content.

What it is not

SS64 is a reference, not an interactive environment. It does not run commands for you, and it is not a course. If you need guided learning, you would pair it with a tutorial or a book. If you need to test a command, you would use your own terminal or a sandbox.

The site also accepts donations, as indicated by the "About/contact/donate" link in the footer. No pricing or login requirements are stated on the page, so treat it as a publicly accessible reference unless you find otherwise when you visit.

Practical takeaway

Use SS64 when you need a fast, platform-organized answer to "what does this command do and what options does it take?" Start from the platform section that matches your shell, read the syntax line first, then scan the options table. Keep it bookmarked alongside your terminal, and it will save you from breaking your flow every time you forget a flag.