---
name: "cataclysm"
section: "6"
platform: "linux"
package: "cataclysm-dda"
version: "0.I1-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/cataclysm"
---

# cataclysm(6)

a turn-based survival game set in a post-apocalyptic world

## NAME

**cataclysm** – a turn-based survival game set in a post-apocalyptic world

## SYNOPSIS

**cataclysm** \[**--seed** *seedstring*\] \[**--jsonverify**\] \[**--check-mods** *mods* *...*\] \[**--dump-stats** *what*\] \[**--world** *worldname*\] \[**--basepath** *basepath*\] \[**--datadir** *datadir*\] \[**--autopickupfile** *autopickupfile*\] \[**--motdfile** *motdfile*\] \[**--shared**\] \[**--username** *username*\] \[**--addadmin** *username*\] \[**--adddebugger** *username*\] \[**--competitive**\] \[**--worldmenu**\] \[**--userdir** *userdir*\] \[**--savedir** *savedir*\] \[**--configdir** *configdir*\] \[**--memorialdir** *memorialdir*\] \[**--optionfile** *optionfile*\] \[**--keymapfile** *keymapfile*\]

## DESCRIPTION

Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead is a turn-based survival game set in a post-apocalyptic world. While some have described it as a "zombie game", there is far more to Cataclysm than that. Struggle to survive in a harsh, persistent, procedurally generated world.

## OPTIONS

- **--seed** *seedstring*

  Sets the random number generator's seed value.

- **--jsonverify**

  Checks the **cataclysm** json files.

- **--check-mods** *mods* *...*

  Checks the json files belonging to **cataclysm** mods.

- **--dump-stats** *what*

  Dumps item stats.

- **--world** *worldname*

  Load world.

- **--basepath** *basepath*

  Base path for all game data subdirectories.

- **--datadir** *datadir*

  Sub directory from which game data is loaded.

- **--autopickupfile** *autopickupfile*

  Name of the autopickup options file within the configdir.

- **--motdfile** *motdfile*

  Name of the message of the day file within the MOTD directory.

- **--shared**

  Activates the map-sharing mode.

- **--username** *username*

  Instructs map-sharing code to use this name for your character.

- **--addadmin** *username*

  Instructs map-sharing code to use this name for your character and give you access to the cheat functions.

- **--adddebugger** *username*

  Informs map-sharing code that you're running inside a debugger.

- **--competitive**

  Instructs map-sharing code to disable access to the in-game cheat functions.

- **--worldmenu**

  Enables the world menu in the map-sharing code.

- **--userdir** *userdir*

  Base path for user-overrides to files from the ./data directory and named below.

- **--savedir** *savedir*

  Subdirectory for game saves.

- **--configdir** *configdir*

  Subdirectory for game configuration.

- **--memorialdir** *memorialdir*

  Subdirectory for memorials.

- **--optionfile** *optionfile*

  Name of the options file within the *configdir*.

- **--keymapfile** *keymapfile*

  Name of the keymap file within the *configdir*.

## BUGS

Please submit bug reports to **https://github.com/CleverRaven/Cataclysm-DDA/issues**

## AUTHORS

Kevin Granade ⟨*kevin.granade@gmail.com*⟩

## SEE ALSO

*Homepage:* **https://cataclysmdda.org/** *Forums:* **https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/** *GitHub:* **https://github.com/CleverRaven/Cataclysm-DDA**