# pcb-rnd - user manual

## 5.3 Batch User Interface

Pcb-rnd comes with a interpreter which is known as the batch UI. This batch UI is a default buildin and can be summond at any time when running pcb-rnd (see code below). Batch mode will compile and run as the default user interface when pcb-rnd is compiled on systems without any GUI libs installed.

The batch UI is useful for automation, test, and debugging: it is reading action commands on the standard input and prints results on the standard output. It does not run a GUI and does not require X. Typical invocation:

`./pcb-rnd --gui batch [path]`

Uses and examples for Batch mode (TODO):

- automation
- export footprint (with additional plugins)
- possible hook processing (ensuring consistent layout state for a dvcs)