---
title: "The CLI serialization command"
slug: "the-cli-serialization-command"
abstract: "Reference of the DevEx CLI serialization command that serializes items."
---
# The CLI serialization command

The Sitecore serialization plugin includes a `ser` command. This command handles the serialization of items. To install the serialization plugin, run the following code:

```text
dotnet sitecore plugin add -n Sitecore.DevEx.Extensibility.Serialization

```

## Usage

You can use the command as follows:

```text
dotnet sitecore ser [subcommand] [options]

```

## Subcommands

You can use the following subcommands:

| Subcommand | Description |
| --- | --- |
| `diff` | Compares the content items of two Sitecore instances.<br><br>This command requires elevated permissions in both instances. |
| `explain` | Explains whether a content item path is included and why. |
| `info` | Shows serialization configuration information. |
| `package` | Lists serialization package commands. |
| `package create` | Creates a package of serialized content items. |
| `package install` | Installs a package of serialized content items in a Sitecore instance.<br><br>This command requires elevated permissions. |
| `pull` | Serializes content items from a Sitecore instance to your file system.<br><br>This command requires elevated permissions. |
| `push` | Pushes serialized content items from your file system to a Sitecore instance.<br><br>This command requires elevated permissions. |
| `validate` | Checks serialized content items for validity. Can fix common issues with the `--fix` argument.<br><br>> [!note]<br>> For more information, see [Validate serialized content items](https://doc.sitecore.com/xp/en/developers/100/developer-tools/validate-serialized-content-items.html). |
| `watch` | Monitors changes to content items in a Sitecore instance and automatically serializes the changes to your file system.<br><br>This command requires elevated permissions. |

## Options

You can use the following options with the `pull` and `push` subcommands:

| Options | Required? | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `--what-if` | No | Simulate what content changes you are going to make before you actually make them.<br><br>> [!note]<br>> For more information on the `--what-if` option, see the video [Sitecore CLI and the 'what-if' flag](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fSN4nfwojI). |