How to use TortoiseSVN via command line?

Question

I use TortoiseSVN and want to use command line SVN options.

I used the command:

svn checkout [-N] [--ignore-externals] [-r rev] URL PATH

and get the following error:

'svn' is not recognized as an internal or external command

Is it because I need to add some environment variable? Or can't TortoiseSVN be used from the command line?

I'd suggest [slik subversion](http://www.sliksvn.com/en/download). And after installing just add its bin directory to your path. -bhups — bhups, Oct 26 '09 at 15:24
Just a quick FYI, if using Slik svn and you get that error : " 'svn' is not recognized... " you might have to open System Properties dialogue. While Slik does add the correct entry to your Path variable, you might have to click edit and 'ok' (even if you haven't made any changes) to enable the variable. At least that was my experience using Windows Vista. After I did that, Windows recognized the change in the Path and my svn command was recognized. — Jesse, Jan 25 '12 at 21:39
The latest version of TortoiseSVN (1.7.1 of this writing) has an option during installation for command line tools. It is not turned on by default but it will install the standard command line files for svn. So there is no need to install a separate subversion package like Silk anymore. — vee, Nov 10 '11 at 01:55
I usually have the standard SVN installed as well as TortoiseSVN. Just add the binary location of SVN to your PATH environment variable. Using the standard SVN command line tool will be better for getting help and documentation than using any other SVN pseudo client. — Tim, Oct 26 '09 at 15:27
TortoiseSVN is probably the most used Windows GUI SVN client there is and it's thoroughly documented. I wouldn't call it pseudo-client just because it's not the reference command-line implementation. — Joey, Oct 26 '09 at 15:33
I meant the command line TSVN - not the GUI one. A different poster suggested to use the TSVN command line - which, I gather, is not the same as using SVN. My point is that if you are going to use tsvn, use it as intended - as a GUI client. If you are going to use command line, use the original... — Tim, Oct 26 '09 at 15:53
I have added the SlikSvn/bin path to the environment variable but still get this error... — Lion789, Jan 27 '14 at 21:08

score 497 · Accepted Answer · edited Jun 28 '12 at 01:01

497

By default TortoiseSVN always has a GUI (Graphical User Interface) associated with it. But on the installer (of version 1.7 and later) you can select the "command line client tools" option so you can call svn commands (like svn commit and svn update) from the command line.

Here's a screenshot of the "command line client tools" option in the installer, you need to make sure you select it:

How-to-install-TortoiseSvn-CommandLineTools

edited Jun 28 '12 at 01:01

Pedro

1,274
13
12

answered Mar 26 '12 at 15:26

AnneTheAgile

9,932
6
52
48

52

Personally, I prefer this answer to the accepted one: no secondary installations, and full access to the standard SVN command line. – Haroldo_OK Feb 22 '13 at 13:38
2

Also has the added benefit that the command line tool versions stay in sync with the TortoiseSVN version. – the_mandrill Jun 28 '13 at 10:27
4

... which means, in more detail: the working directory format of Subversion has changed a few times, e.g. in versions 1.7 and 1.8. An 1.7 client won't use an older working directory unless it is `svn upgrade`d; after that, an 1.6 client won't be able to use it anymore. – Tobias Sep 19 '13 at 07:23
45

As a tip, if you already have Tortoise installed, there is no need to reinstall. You can simply open up the original installer .msi file, and instead of choosing "Uninstall" you can choose "Modify." It will just update your current Tortoise installation without messing anything up. – Trevor Sep 16 '14 at 17:14
Seems a popular issue. Interesting why the installation setup still with the disabled option for the console tools... – Alex Jun 14 '17 at 11:26
6

As a tip, if you already have Tortoise installed, *and don't have the .msi file* - you can go to the Control Panel -> Programs and Features, and then select the TortoiseSVN -> Modify. – zvi Jan 30 '19 at 12:07
To open this client in Windows, you go to Control Panel -> Uninstall Programs -> TortoiseSVN. Right click and select Modify. – westandy Mar 09 '20 at 17:03
If you have to add this feature programmatically (i.e. via a script), add "CLI" on the installation command line: msiexec /i "TortoiseSVN-x.yy.zzzz-x64-svn-x.yy.msi" ADDLOCAL="F_OVL,DefaultFeature,MoreIcons,CLI,CrashReporter,UDiffAssoc,DictionaryENGB,DictionaryENUS" – FCA69 Feb 15 '21 at 09:11

score 131 · Answer 2 · edited Jun 27 '17 at 11:17

131

TortoiseSVN has a command-line interface that can be used for TortoiseSVN GUI automation and it's different from the normal Subversion one.

You can find information about the command-line options of TortoiseSVN in the documentation: Appendix D. Automating TortoiseSVN. The main program to work with here is TortoiseProc.exe.

But a note pretty much at the top there already says:

Remember that TortoiseSVN is a GUI client, and this automation guide shows you how to make the TortoiseSVN dialogs appear to collect user input. If you want to write a script which requires no input, you should use the official Subversion command line client instead.

Another option would be that you install the Subversion binaries. Slik SVN is a nice build (and doesn't require a registration like Collabnet). Recent versions of TortoiseSVN also include the command-line client if you choose to install it.

edited Jun 27 '17 at 11:17

bahrep

29,961
12
103
150

answered Oct 26 '09 at 15:14

Joey

344,408
85
689
683

2

Just to add to this - make sure Tortoise is on your path. Otherwise, nothing will work. – Thomas Owens Oct 26 '09 at 15:15
2

Based on this answer, I think the best bet would be to install the actual SVN command-line client rather than learn a second command-line interface. I don't know how to do that, though. – jprete Oct 26 '09 at 15:15
2

Thomas: By default both TortoiseSVN and Slik SVN will alter the path accordingly. – Joey Oct 26 '09 at 15:16
Where i check that ok button in the settings ? I couldn't find that option there . thanks – Night Walker Oct 26 '09 at 15:16
Night Walker: If you like to register for something as mundane as a build of publicly available sources, then sure, go ahead. I included a link to an alternative, though. – Joey Oct 26 '09 at 15:20
It seems much more sensible to me to install the standard svn command line tools when installing svn and use those commands. Using TortoiseProc is a very weird and roundabout way to use svn commands. – David Heffernan Apr 06 '12 at 12:57
24

This solution is simply out of date, the TortosieSVN installer now includes the command line tools. – Josh Jul 30 '13 at 19:01
1

You may need to reboot after installation so that you get the change to your PATH environment variable. – Oliver Bock Aug 11 '15 at 23:21
This answer is a bit misleading. TortoiseProc.exe that you reference should be used only for GUI automation. It is not a replacement for command line `svn.exe` client. **TortoiseProc.exe is NOT an alternative to svn.exe command line client**. – bahrep Jun 27 '17 at 11:21
@bahrep: Well, after your edit it's definitely not misleading, I think. – Joey Jun 27 '17 at 13:03

score 108 · Answer 3 · edited Sep 06 '17 at 21:13

108

In case you have already installed the TortoiseSVN GUI and wondering how to upgrade to command line tools, here are the steps...

Go to Windows Control Panel → Program and Features (Windows 7+)
Locate TortoiseSVN and click on it.
Select "Change" from the options available.
Refer to this image for further steps.
After completion of the command line client tools, open a command prompt and type svn help to check the successful install.

edited Sep 06 '17 at 21:13

Peter Mortensen

30,738
21
105
131

answered Dec 03 '15 at 22:28

Devendra Vaja

3,836
2
19
14

Your answer was not formatted already. And it had unwanted information. He did both formatting and editing your answer properly. Please read the help center for more. ;) – Lucky Nov 03 '17 at 13:18
Win10 is "Apps & Features".. but that's probably obvious – slim Nov 03 '17 at 15:22
Ok don't believe me. Please ask this as a question in meta whether the edit is legitimate or not. He not only formatted your answer, he also did remove unwanted information which is not required for the answer. It's called moderation. And people with high reps generally do clean up the site by moderating and contributing which is why I suggested you to look up the help centre. But you just want to argue instead of gaining knowledge. Good luck. – Lucky Nov 22 '17 at 18:54
1

Yeah actually I am interested in sharing the knowledge and not to claim someone's work and preach. Also I am not a blind follower of high reps. – Devendra Vaja Nov 24 '17 at 04:47
while we enable command line, it ask for application path which is required to download. path : https://osdn.net/projects/tortoisesvn/storage/1.12.0/Application/TortoiseSVN-1.12.0.28568-x64-svn-1.12.0.msi/ – Amit Joshi Jul 17 '19 at 05:14
Using TortoiseSVN 1.7.6.22632 (64 bit) I see the Unistall option only – Fabrizio Mar 24 '22 at 11:26
This still works for windows 11 and when I didn't have the msi file, I was able to redownload it from here: https://www.download3k.com/Install-The-TortoiseSVN-team-TortoiseSVN.html – AuRise Jul 15 '23 at 21:34

Warlock · Answer 4 · 2012-11-26T06:25:30.647

To use command support you should follow this steps:

Define Path in Environment Variables:
- open 'System Properties';
- on the tab 'Advanced' click on the 'Environment Variables' button
- in the section 'System variables' select 'Path' option and click 'edit'
- append variable value with the path to TortoiseProc.exe file, for example:
  
  C:\Program Files\TortoiseSVN\bin
Since you have registered TortoiseProc, you can use it in according to TortoiseSVN documentation.

Examples:

TortoiseProc.exe /command:commit /path:"c:\svn_wc\file1.txt*c:\svn_wc\file2.txt" /logmsg:"test log message" /closeonend:0

TortoiseProc.exe /command:update /path:"c:\svn_wc\" /closeonend:0

TortoiseProc.exe /command:log /path:"c:\svn_wc\file1.txt" /startrev:50 /endrev:60 /closeonend:0

P.S. To use friendly name like 'svn' instead of 'TortoiseProc', place 'svn.bat' file in the directory of 'TortoiseProc.exe'. There is an example of svn.bat:

TortoiseProc.exe %1 %2 %3

The main problem is not the name of the executable (and how to find it) but the totally different commandline syntax; see my answer which tells about my `tsvn` program (which didn't exist at the time of Warlock's answer). Recent Windows versions allow to specify all arguments as `%*` (instead of `%1 %2 %3` ...). — Tobias, Jun 28 '13 at 07:58

score 10 · Answer 5 · answered Jul 02 '13 at 09:10

10

To enable svn run the TortoiseSVN installation program again, select "Modify" (Allows users to change the way features are installed) and install "command line client tools".

answered Jul 02 '13 at 09:10

Kiki

101
1
2

for those of you who are wondering where the "Modify" option is - try to re-install Tortoise SVN – maya Aug 06 '14 at 09:53
1

@maya If you have already installed it don't try to uninstall and re-install it. Go to `Control Panel\Programs\Programs and Features` search Tortoise SVN and click `Change` and then click on `Modify`. – Lucky Mar 06 '19 at 07:24

score 10 · Answer 6 · edited Dec 02 '13 at 21:38

10

My solution was to use DOSKEY to set up some aliases to for the commands I use the most:

DOSKEY svc=TortoiseProc.exe /command:commit /path:.
DOSKEY svu=TortoiseProc.exe /command:update /path:.
DOSKEY svl=TortoiseProc.exe /command:log /path:.
DOSKEY svd=TortoiseProc.exe /command:diff /path:$*

Google "doskey persist" for tips on how to set up a .cmd file that runs every time you open the command prompt like a .*rc file in Unix.

edited Dec 02 '13 at 21:38

Peter Mortensen

30,738
21
105
131

answered Nov 20 '13 at 17:37

SeanH

317
5
9

Great! This is the only answer that actually invokes TortoiseSVN, not ordinary `svn`, from the command line. – Elliott Beach May 01 '18 at 14:27

score 4 · Answer 7 · answered Nov 17 '17 at 05:25

You can have both TortoiseSVN and the Apache Subversion command line tools installed. I usually install the Apache SVN tools from the VisualSVN download site: https://www.visualsvn.com/downloads/

Once installed, place the Subversion\bin in your set PATH. Then you will be able to use TortoiseSVN when you want to use the GUI, and you have the proper SVN command line tools to use from the command line.

bahrep · Answer 8 · 2018-11-16T11:49:43.597

There is a confusion that is causing a lot of TortoiseSVN users to use the wrong command line tools when they actually were looking for svn.exe command line client.

What should I do or can't TortoiseSVN be used from the command line?

svn.exe

If you want to run Subversion commands from the command prompt, you should run the svn.exe command line client. TortoiseSVN 1.6.x and older versions did not include SVN command-line tools, but modern versions do.

If you want to get SVN command line tools without having to install TortoiseSVN, check the SVN binary distributions page or simply download the latest version from VisualSVN downloads page.

If you have SVN command line tools installed on your system, but still get the error 'svn' is not recognized as an internal or external command, you should check %PATH% environment variable. %PATH% must include the path to SVN tools directory e.g. C:\Program Files (x86)\VisualSVN\bin.

TortoiseProc.exe

Apart from svn.exe, TortoiseSVN comes with TortoiseProc.exe that can be called from command prompt. In most cases, you do not need to use this tool, because it should be only used for GUI automation. TortoiseProc.exe is not a replacement for SVN command-line client.

score 2 · Answer 9 · answered Jun 28 '13 at 07:50

As Joey pointed out, TortoiseSVN has a commandline syntax of its own. Unfortunately it is quite ugly, if you are used to svn commands, and it ignores the current working directory, thus it is not very usable - except for scripting.

I have created a little Python program (tsvn) which mimics the svn commandline syntax as closely as possible and calls TortoiseSVN accordingly. Thus, the difference between calling the normal commandline tools and calling TortoiseSVN is reduced to a little letter t at the beginning.

My tsvn program is not yet complete but already useful. It can be found in the cheeseshop (https://pypi.python.org/pypi/tsvn/)

For those not familiar with Python: you need a recent Python 2.x interpreter. If you have `easy_install` or `pip install`, just specify `tsvn`; otherwise you can download and extract the tarball and run the contained `setup.py` installation script. Since it is interpreted, you can inspect it in full detail ;-) — Tobias, Sep 12 '13 at 13:15

score 2 · Answer 10 · edited Sep 06 '17 at 21:09

2

After some time, I used this workaround...

(at the .bat file)

SET "CHECKOUT=http://yoururl.url";
SET "PATH=your_folder_path"

start "C:\Program Files\TortoiseSVN\bin" svn.exe checkout %CHECKOUT% %PATH%

edited Sep 06 '17 at 21:09

Peter Mortensen

30,738
21
105
131

answered May 29 '14 at 10:48

jorgesimoes

21
4

score 2 · Answer 11 · edited Sep 06 '17 at 21:11

2

My fix for getting SVN commands was to copy .exe and .dll files from the TortoiseSVN directory and pasting them into system32 folder.

You could also perform the command from the TortoiseSVN directory and add the path of the working directory to each command. For example:

C:\Program Files\TortoiseSVN\bin> svn st -v C:\checkout

Adding the bin to the path should make it work without duplicating the files, but it didn't work for me.

edited Sep 06 '17 at 21:11

Peter Mortensen

30,738
21
105
131

answered Jan 05 '15 at 23:42

KC an EE

21
2

This approach is not working, still shows ```'svn' is not recognized as an internal or external command``` – Anonymous Oct 18 '19 at 13:02

score 0 · Answer 12 · edited Oct 30 '15 at 14:19

0

After selecting "SVN command line tools" it will become like this:

Enter image description here

edited Oct 30 '15 at 14:19

Peter Mortensen

30,738
21
105
131

answered Sep 01 '12 at 14:50

Alvin567

305
2
8

6

This is the desired outcome, however this answer does not tell how to actually achieve this. – BogdanBiv Oct 06 '15 at 11:13

How to use TortoiseSVN via command line?

12 Answers12

svn.exe

TortoiseProc.exe

Linked

Related