---
name: "qcad"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "qcad"
version: "27.0.1.0-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/qcad"
---

# qcad(1)

A feature-rich drafting application

## NAME

qcad - A feature-rich drafting application

## SYNOPSIS

**qcad** \[ *options* \] \[ *files* \]

## DESCRIPTION

*QCAD* is a free, open source application for *Computer Aided Drafting* (CAD) in two dimensions (2D). With QCAD you can create, study and alter technical drawings such as plans for buildings, interiors, mechanical parts or schematics and diagrams.  QCAD builds upon the *Drawing Interchange File* *Format*. Such DXF-files are used by many other professional CAD-systems.

QCAD works on Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. The source code of QCAD is released under the GPL version 3 (GPLv3), a popular Open Source license.

## OPTIONS

- \-help

  Displays this help.

- \-version

  Displays the application version.

- \-config *path*

  Reads and stores settings to QCAD3.ini at the given location instead of the default location.

- \-locale *locale*

  Sets the locale to be used (overrides the language set in the preferences). E.g. '-locale de' starts QCAD in German.

- \-filter *filter*

  Opens the subsequent file(s) with the explicitly given import filter.

- \-allow-multiple-instances

  Don't try to avoid multiple instances from running simultaneously.

- \-app-id *ID*

  Set application ID. Multiple instances of the same application (same ID) cannot run simultaneously unless -allow-multiple-instances is used.

- \-rescan

  Rescan scripts folder for new add-ons

- \-always-load-scripts

  Forces reloading of scripts when they are used.  This is mainly useful during script development, to apply changes without restarting QCAD.

- \-enable-script-debugger

  Enables the script debugger.  NOT recommended as this may cause unexpected behavior when using QCAD.

- \-debug-action-order

  Print action order information in menus

- \-autostart *script-file*

  Starts the given script file instead of the default scripts/autostart.js. Note that with this option, QCAD is not started but rather the application implemented in the given script.

- \-exec *script-file* \[ *options* \]

  Executes the given script file directly after starting QCAD. Options after the script file are passed on to the script.

- \-gui-css-file *CSS-file*

  Loads the specified CSS file.

- \-no-gui

  Don't use GUI. X11: don't connect to X11 server.

- \-no-show

  Use but don't display GUI.

- \-enable-xdata

  Enables XData (custom properties) support.

- \-quit

  Quits QCAD, for example after executing the given script(s).

## COPYRIGHT

Copyright (c) Andrew Mustun and others.