CLI parameters

Invocation

MPC-RSS-Feed.exe [global options] <command> [command options]

MPC-RSS-Feed.exe --help shows the overview. MPC-RSS-Feed.exe <command> --help shows command details.

Global options

-h, --help

Purpose: Show this help message and exit.

Value: Flag without value

Default: no default

--credentials-file

Purpose: No additional description.

Value: CREDENTIALS_FILE

Default: %APPDATA%\MPC-RSS\credentials.dpapi.json

--log-file

Purpose: No additional description.

Value: LOG_FILE

Default: <Programmordner>\runtime\mpc_mega_feed.log

Commands

• generate
• watch
• watchdog
• show-mpc-outage-warning
• refresh-orbit-report
• orbit-check
• resend-alerts
• replay-last-alert
• set-credentials
• set-email-password-gui
• set-discord-webhook-gui
• set-upload-gui
• upload
• test-upload-protocols
• sign-release
• install-tasks
• monitor-background
• health-alert
• validate-ephemerides
• test-alerts
• send-subscriber-update
• recipient-preview
• runtime-maintenance
• import-mailbox-mails
• import-thunderbird-mails
• import-mpc-alert-folder
• credentials-status
• clear-credentials
• self-test

generate

Create feeds and optionally report new objects.

Safety and dependencies: May send real alert messages and upload website files. Use --no-alerts and --no-upload for a dry run.

Typical invocation: MPC-RSS-Feed.exe generate --help

-h, --help

Purpose: Show this help message and exit.

Value: Flag without value

Default: no default

--rss-path

Purpose: Destination path for the English RSS feed.

Value: RSS_PATH

Default: <Programmordner>\runtime\bright_objects_feed.xml

--json-path

Purpose: Destination path for the English JSON feed.

Value: JSON_PATH

Default: <Programmordner>\runtime\bright_objects_feed.json

--history-file

Purpose: File containing objects already seen on the MPC lists.

Value: HISTORY_FILE

Default: <Programmordner>\runtime\known_objects.json

--threshold

Purpose: Maximum V magnitude.

Value: THRESHOLD

Default: 20.0

--no-alerts

Purpose: Do not send Discord or e-mail alerts.

Value: Flag without value

Default: disabled

--mark-seen

Purpose: Record new objects as seen even with --no-alerts.

Value: Flag without value

Default: disabled

--no-credentials

Purpose: Ignore encrypted credentials.

Value: Flag without value

Default: disabled

--no-upload

Purpose: Suppress website upload for this run.

Value: Flag without value

Default: disabled

--no-recipient-import

Purpose: Suppress POP3 and Thunderbird recipient import during this run.

Value: Flag without value

Default: disabled

--no-thunderbird-import

Purpose: Do not use the Thunderbird MPC alert folder as fallback.

Value: Flag without value

Default: disabled

--findorb-new

Purpose: Check observations for current bright objects and run Find_Orb only for new data or missing elements.

Value: Flag without value

Default: disabled

--findorb-all

Purpose: Load observations and run Find_Orb for every current object.

Value: Flag without value

Default: disabled

--observations-dir

Purpose: Destination folder for MPC OBS80 observations.

Value: OBSERVATIONS_DIR

Default: <Programmordner>\runtime\obs

--findorb-helper

Purpose: Path to the Find_Orb helper program.

Value: FINDORB_HELPER

Default: <Programmordner>\tools\MpcFindOrbTest\MpcFindOrbTest.exe

--findorb-timeout

Purpose: Find_Orb timeout per object in seconds.

Value: FINDORB_TIMEOUT

Default: 60

watch

Poll MPC lists continuously with low overhead and run a full evaluation only after changes.

Safety and dependencies: Runs continuously in the background; a global mutex prevents a second watcher instance.

Typical invocation: MPC-RSS-Feed.exe watch --help

-h, --help

Purpose: Show this help message and exit.

Value: Flag without value

Default: no default

--rss-path

Purpose: Destination path for the English RSS feed.

Value: RSS_PATH

Default: <Programmordner>\runtime\bright_objects_feed.xml

--json-path

Purpose: Destination path for the English JSON feed.

Value: JSON_PATH

Default: <Programmordner>\runtime\bright_objects_feed.json

--history-file

Purpose: File containing objects already seen on the MPC lists.

Value: HISTORY_FILE

Default: <Programmordner>\runtime\known_objects.json

--threshold

Purpose: Maximum V magnitude.

Value: THRESHOLD

Default: 20.0

--poll-seconds

Purpose: Idle interval between source checks.

Value: POLL_SECONDS

Default: 60

--heartbeat-seconds

Purpose: Heartbeat interval, including during an evaluation.

Value: HEARTBEAT_SECONDS

Default: 10

--recipient-import-seconds

Purpose: Interval between due recipient imports.

Value: RECIPIENT_IMPORT_SECONDS

Default: 600

--generate-timeout-seconds

Purpose: Maximum time without proven file progress before a stalled evaluation is stopped.

Value: GENERATE_TIMEOUT_SECONDS

Default: 1800

--status-file

Purpose: Atomic heartbeat and runtime-status file.

Value: STATUS_FILE

Default: <Programmordner>\runtime\watcher_status.json

--state-file

Purpose: Persistent source fingerprint.

Value: STATE_FILE

Default: <Programmordner>\runtime\watcher_state.json

--priority-queue-file

Purpose: Private persistent priority queue for source changes during an evaluation.

Value: PRIORITY_QUEUE_FILE

Default: private runtime file; not part of the public website

--once

Purpose: Perform exactly one source check and exit.

Value: Flag without value

Default: disabled

--no-generate

Purpose: Detect changes only; do not start a full evaluation or adopt state.

Value: Flag without value

Default: disabled

--no-alerts

Purpose: Do not send Discord or e-mail alerts.

Value: Flag without value

Default: disabled

--no-credentials

Purpose: Ignore encrypted credentials.

Value: Flag without value

Default: disabled

--no-upload

Purpose: Suppress website upload for this run.

Value: Flag without value

Default: disabled

--no-recipient-import

Purpose: Suppress POP3 and Thunderbird recipient import during this run.

Value: Flag without value

Default: disabled

--no-thunderbird-import

Purpose: Do not use the Thunderbird MPC alert folder as fallback.

Value: Flag without value

Default: disabled

--observations-dir

Purpose: Destination folder for MPC OBS80 observations.

Value: OBSERVATIONS_DIR

Default: <Programmordner>\runtime\obs

--findorb-helper

Purpose: Path to the Find_Orb helper program.

Value: FINDORB_HELPER

Default: <Programmordner>\tools\MpcFindOrbTest\MpcFindOrbTest.exe

--findorb-timeout

Purpose: Find_Orb timeout per object in seconds.

Value: FINDORB_TIMEOUT

Default: 60

watchdog

Check the background watcher's heartbeat and process and restart its task when needed.

Safety and dependencies: May restart the Windows watcher task when heartbeat or process is missing.

Typical invocation: MPC-RSS-Feed.exe watchdog --help

-h, --help

Purpose: Show this help message and exit.

Value: Flag without value

Default: no default

--task-name

Purpose: Name of the Windows task to restart.

Value: TASK_NAME

Default: MPC-RSS-Feed

--status-file

Purpose: Atomic heartbeat and runtime-status file.

Value: STATUS_FILE

Default: <Programmordner>\runtime\watcher_status.json

--output

Purpose: Output file for the watchdog check.

Value: OUTPUT

Default: <Programmordner>\runtime\watchdog_status.json

--max-age-seconds

Purpose: Maximum heartbeat age.

Value: MAX_AGE_SECONDS

Default: 300

--no-restart

Purpose: Check only and do not restart a task.

Value: Flag without value

Default: disabled

show-mpc-outage-warning

Show the internal Windows warning for an MPC source outage lasting at least one hour.

Safety and dependencies: Reads or creates local MPC-RSS data. The exact effect depends on the supplied options and local configuration.

Typical invocation: MPC-RSS-Feed.exe show-mpc-outage-warning --help

-h, --help

Purpose: Show this help message and exit.

Value: Flag without value

Default: no default

--sources

Purpose: Unavailable MPC sources.

Value: SOURCES

Default:

--started-at

Purpose: Beginning of the outage period in UTC.

Value: STARTED_AT

Default:

--last-error

Purpose: Most recently recorded retrieval error.

Value: LAST_ERROR

Default:

refresh-orbit-report

Refresh orbit-element and observation tables in a separate background run.

Safety and dependencies: Creates the public orbit and observation tables. A dedicated mutex prevents parallel table runs.

Typical invocation: MPC-RSS-Feed.exe refresh-orbit-report --help

-h, --help

Purpose: Show this help message and exit.

Value: Flag without value

Default: no default

orbit-check

Download observations and run Find_Orb for current feed objects.

Safety and dependencies: Reads or creates local MPC-RSS data. The exact effect depends on the supplied options and local configuration.

Typical invocation: MPC-RSS-Feed.exe orbit-check --help

-h, --help

Purpose: Show this help message and exit.

Value: Flag without value

Default: no default

--threshold

Purpose: Maximum V magnitude.

Value: THRESHOLD

Default: 20.0

--no-credentials

Purpose: Ignore encrypted credentials.

Value: Flag without value

Default: disabled

--object

Purpose: Check only this object designation; may be supplied more than once.

Value: OBJECT

Default: empty

--observations-dir

Purpose: Destination folder for MPC OBS80 observations.

Value: OBSERVATIONS_DIR

Default: <Programmordner>\runtime\obs

--findorb-helper

Purpose: Path to the Find_Orb helper program.

Value: FINDORB_HELPER

Default: <Programmordner>\tools\MpcFindOrbTest\MpcFindOrbTest.exe

--findorb-timeout

Purpose: Find_Orb timeout per object in seconds.

Value: FINDORB_TIMEOUT

Default: 60

resend-alerts

Send objects from the latest JSON feed to Discord and SMTP again.

Safety and dependencies: Sends selected existing alerts again.

Typical invocation: MPC-RSS-Feed.exe resend-alerts --help

-h, --help

Purpose: Show this help message and exit.

Value: Flag without value

Default: no default

--json-path

Purpose: Destination path for the English JSON feed.

Value: JSON_PATH

Default: <Programmordner>\runtime\bright_objects_feed.json

--object

Purpose: Check only this object designation; may be supplied more than once.

Value: OBJECT

Default: empty

--limit

Purpose: Send only the first N feed objects.

Value: LIMIT

Default: empty

--channel

Purpose: Alert channel used for replay.

Value: all | discord | email

Default: all

--rss-path

Purpose: Destination path for the English RSS feed.

Value: RSS_PATH

Default: <Programmordner>\runtime\bright_objects_feed.xml

--include-upload

Purpose: Also upload the current feed files during replay.

Value: Flag without value

Default: disabled

replay-last-alert

Send the latest known alert again and optionally upload the web feed.

Safety and dependencies: May send the latest real alert again.

Typical invocation: MPC-RSS-Feed.exe replay-last-alert --help

-h, --help

Purpose: Show this help message and exit.

Value: Flag without value

Default: no default

--json-path

Purpose: Destination path for the English JSON feed.

Value: JSON_PATH

Default: <Programmordner>\runtime\bright_objects_feed.json

--rss-path

Purpose: Destination path for the English RSS feed.

Value: RSS_PATH

Default: <Programmordner>\runtime\bright_objects_feed.xml

--channel

Purpose: Alert channel used for replay.

Value: all | discord | email

Default: all

--no-upload

Purpose: Suppress website upload for this run.

Value: Flag without value

Default: disabled

set-credentials

Store or change credentials in encrypted form.

Safety and dependencies: Stores credentials encrypted with DPAPI for the current Windows user.

Typical invocation: MPC-RSS-Feed.exe set-credentials --help

-h, --help

Purpose: Show this help message and exit.

Value: Flag without value

Default: no default

--replace

Purpose: Do not retain existing values.

Value: Flag without value

Default: disabled

--discord-webhook-url

Purpose: Set the Discord webhook URL directly.

Value: DISCORD_WEBHOOK_URL

Default: empty

--prompt-discord-webhook

Purpose: Prompt for the Discord webhook without echo.

Value: Flag without value

Default: disabled

--smtp-server

Purpose: Set the SMTP server.

Value: SMTP_SERVER

Default: empty

--smtp-port

Purpose: Set the SMTP port.

Value: SMTP_PORT

Default: empty

--email-user

Purpose: Set the SMTP user.

Value: EMAIL_USER

Default: empty

--email-receiver

Purpose: Set the alert recipient.

Value: EMAIL_RECEIVER

Default: empty

--prompt-email-password

Purpose: Prompt for the SMTP password without echo.

Value: Flag without value

Default: disabled

--pop3-server

Purpose: Set the POP3 server for direct recipient import.

Value: POP3_SERVER

Default: empty

--pop3-port

Purpose: Set the POP3 port; default is 995.

Value: POP3_PORT

Default: empty

--pop3-user

Purpose: Set an optional separate POP3 user; otherwise use the SMTP user.

Value: POP3_USER

Default: empty

--prompt-pop3-password

Purpose: Prompt for an optional separate POP3 password; otherwise use the SMTP password.

Value: Flag without value

Default: disabled

--mpc-username

Purpose: Set an optional MPC user for Basic Auth.

Value: MPC_USERNAME

Default: empty

--prompt-mpc-password

Purpose: Prompt for an optional MPC password without echo.

Value: Flag without value

Default: disabled

--upload-protocol

Purpose: Set the upload protocol mode.

Value: auto | sftp | ftps | ftp

Default: empty

--upload-fallback-ftp

Purpose: Allow FTP as the final fallback.

Value: Flag without value

Default: empty

--no-upload-fallback-ftp

Purpose: Allow FTP as the final fallback.

Value: Flag without value

Default: enabled

--upload-sftp-host

Purpose: Set an optional separate SFTP host.

Value: UPLOAD_SFTP_HOST

Default: empty

--upload-sftp-port

Purpose: Set an optional separate SFTP port.

Value: UPLOAD_SFTP_PORT

Default: empty

--upload-sftp-user

Purpose: Set an optional separate SFTP user.

Value: UPLOAD_SFTP_USER

Default: empty

--upload-sftp-remote-dir

Purpose: Set an optional separate SFTP destination folder.

Value: UPLOAD_SFTP_REMOTE_DIR

Default: empty

--prompt-upload-sftp-password

Purpose: Prompt for an optional SFTP password without echo.

Value: Flag without value

Default: disabled

set-email-password-gui

Store a new SMTP password through a local Windows input dialog.

Safety and dependencies: Changes the locally stored SMTP password.

Typical invocation: MPC-RSS-Feed.exe set-email-password-gui --help

-h, --help

Purpose: Show this help message and exit.

Value: Flag without value

Default: no default

set-discord-webhook-gui

Store a Discord webhook through a local Windows input dialog.

Safety and dependencies: Changes the locally stored Discord webhook.

Typical invocation: MPC-RSS-Feed.exe set-discord-webhook-gui --help

-h, --help

Purpose: Show this help message and exit.

Value: Flag without value

Default: no default

set-upload-gui

Store website upload credentials through local Windows input dialogs.

Safety and dependencies: Changes locally stored upload credentials.

Typical invocation: MPC-RSS-Feed.exe set-upload-gui --help

-h, --help

Purpose: Show this help message and exit.

Value: Flag without value

Default: no default

upload

Upload existing RSS and JSON files to the configured website.

Safety and dependencies: Transfers existing public feed files to the configured target.

Typical invocation: MPC-RSS-Feed.exe upload --help

-h, --help

Purpose: Show this help message and exit.

Value: Flag without value

Default: no default

--rss-path

Purpose: Destination path for the English RSS feed.

Value: RSS_PATH

Default: <Programmordner>\runtime\bright_objects_feed.xml

--json-path

Purpose: Destination path for the English JSON feed.

Value: JSON_PATH

Default: <Programmordner>\runtime\bright_objects_feed.json

test-upload-protocols

Test SFTP, FTPS and FTP with a temporary upload.

Safety and dependencies: Performs real temporary uploads and removes the test file afterwards.

Typical invocation: MPC-RSS-Feed.exe test-upload-protocols --help

-h, --help

Purpose: Show this help message and exit.

Value: Flag without value

Default: no default

sign-release

Sign EXE files with the configured code-signing certificate and verify them.

Safety and dependencies: Signs local release files and requires the configured signing environment and permissions.

Typical invocation: MPC-RSS-Feed.exe sign-release --help

-h, --help

Purpose: Show this help message and exit.

Value: Flag without value

Default: no default

--force

Purpose: Sign even without MPC_RSS_SIGN_EXE=1; signtool and certificate must be available.

Value: Flag without value

Default: disabled

install-tasks

Install Windows tasks as direct EXE calls with IgnoreNew and execution limits.

Safety and dependencies: Changes Windows Task Scheduler entries for the current MPC-RSS watcher.

Typical invocation: MPC-RSS-Feed.exe install-tasks --help

-h, --help

Purpose: Show this help message and exit.

Value: Flag without value

Default: no default

--feed-limit

Purpose: ExecutionTimeLimit for the continuous watcher; PT0S means unlimited.

Value: FEED_LIMIT

Default: PT0S

--health-limit

Purpose: ExecutionTimeLimit for MPC-RSS-Health-Daily.

Value: HEALTH_LIMIT

Default: PT10M

--watchdog-limit

Purpose: ExecutionTimeLimit for the hourly watcher check.

Value: WATCHDOG_LIMIT

Default: PT5M

--write-only

Purpose: Write XML files only; do not register them.

Value: Flag without value

Default: disabled

monitor-background

Record background status for a limited period.

Safety and dependencies: Reads or creates local MPC-RSS data. The exact effect depends on the supplied options and local configuration.

Typical invocation: MPC-RSS-Feed.exe monitor-background --help

-h, --help

Purpose: Show this help message and exit.

Value: Flag without value

Default: no default

--minutes

Purpose: Monitoring duration in minutes.

Value: MINUTES

Default: 60

--interval-seconds

Purpose: Interval between status samples.

Value: INTERVAL_SECONDS

Default: 300

--output

Purpose: Output file for the watchdog check.

Value: OUTPUT

Default: <Programmordner>\runtime\background_monitor.json

health-alert

Check feed health and record warnings locally only.

Safety and dependencies: Writes local status and warning data; it does not manage public pages.

Typical invocation: MPC-RSS-Feed.exe health-alert --help

-h, --help

Purpose: Show this help message and exit.

Value: Flag without value

Default: no default

--channel

Purpose: Alert channel used for replay.

Value: all | discord | email

Default: all

--force

Purpose: Sign even without MPC_RSS_SIGN_EXE=1; signtool and certificate must be available.

Value: Flag without value

Default: disabled

--repeat

Purpose: Record the same warning signature again on the same day.

Value: Flag without value

Default: disabled

--no-upload

Purpose: Suppress website upload for this run.

Value: Flag without value

Default: disabled

validate-ephemerides

build_cli_reference.py validate-ephemerides

Safety and dependencies: Reads or creates local MPC-RSS data. The exact effect depends on the supplied options and local configuration.

Typical invocation: MPC-RSS-Feed.exe validate-ephemerides --help

-h, --help

Purpose: Show this help message and exit.

Value: Flag without value

Default: no default

test-alerts

Send a test message through Discord and/or SMTP.

Safety and dependencies: Sends a real test message through the selected channels.

Typical invocation: MPC-RSS-Feed.exe test-alerts --help

-h, --help

Purpose: Show this help message and exit.

Value: Flag without value

Default: no default

--channel

Purpose: Alert channel used for replay.

Value: all | discord | email

Default: all

send-subscriber-update

Send the English information mail individually to every active subscriber.

Safety and dependencies: Sends a real information mail to active subscribers.

Typical invocation: MPC-RSS-Feed.exe send-subscriber-update --help

-h, --help

Purpose: Show this help message and exit.

Value: Flag without value

Default: no default

--mail-file

Purpose: UTF-8 text file containing a Subject line and mail body; maximum line length is 80 characters.

Value: MAIL_FILE

Default: <Programmordner>\subscriber_update_mail_en.txt

--force

Purpose: Sign even without MPC_RSS_SIGN_EXE=1; signtool and certificate must be available.

Value: Flag without value

Default: disabled

recipient-preview

Evaluate current objects and recipient rules without SMTP delivery.

Safety and dependencies: Reads or creates local MPC-RSS data. The exact effect depends on the supplied options and local configuration.

Typical invocation: MPC-RSS-Feed.exe recipient-preview --help

-h, --help

Purpose: Show this help message and exit.

Value: Flag without value

Default: no default

--recipient

Purpose: Optionally check only this recipient address.

Value: RECIPIENT

Default: empty

--object

Purpose: Check only this object designation; may be supplied more than once.

Value: OBJECT

Default: empty

--limit

Purpose: Send only the first N feed objects.

Value: LIMIT

Default: 20

--no-credentials

Purpose: Ignore encrypted credentials.

Value: Flag without value

Default: disabled

runtime-maintenance

Maintain or restore private original mails and backups locally.

Safety and dependencies: Reads or creates local MPC-RSS data. The exact effect depends on the supplied options and local configuration.

Typical invocation: MPC-RSS-Feed.exe runtime-maintenance --help

-h, --help

Purpose: Show this help message and exit.

Value: Flag without value

Default: no default

--retention-days

Purpose: Retention from 1 through at most 7 days.

Value: RETENTION_DAYS

Default: 7

--backup

Purpose: Create a private ZIP backup now.

Value: Flag without value

Default: disabled

--restore

Purpose: Restore a previously created private ZIP backup.

Value: RESTORE

Default: empty

import-mailbox-mails

Import recipient actions from the configured POP3 mailbox without deleting messages.

Safety and dependencies: Reads the configured POP3 mailbox but does not delete messages there.

Typical invocation: MPC-RSS-Feed.exe import-mailbox-mails --help

-h, --help

Purpose: Show this help message and exit.

Value: Flag without value

Default: no default

--output

Purpose: Output file for the watchdog check.

Value: OUTPUT

Default: <Programmordner>\runtime\mailbox_mail_files.json

--limit

Purpose: Send only the first N feed objects.

Value: LIMIT

Default: 0

import-thunderbird-mails

Export a Thunderbird mbox folder as a file list.

Safety and dependencies: Reads or creates local MPC-RSS data. The exact effect depends on the supplied options and local configuration.

Typical invocation: MPC-RSS-Feed.exe import-thunderbird-mails --help

-h, --help

Purpose: Show this help message and exit.

Value: Flag without value

Default: no default

--folder

Purpose: Thunderbird mbox file or folder.

Value: FOLDER

Default: empty

--output

Purpose: Output file for the watchdog check.

Value: OUTPUT

Default: <Programmordner>\runtime\thunderbird_mail_files.json

import-mpc-alert-folder

Find the Thunderbird MPC-Alert folder and import it read-only.

Safety and dependencies: Reads or creates local MPC-RSS data. The exact effect depends on the supplied options and local configuration.

Typical invocation: MPC-RSS-Feed.exe import-mpc-alert-folder --help

-h, --help

Purpose: Show this help message and exit.

Value: Flag without value

Default: no default

--folder-name

Purpose: Name of the Thunderbird mbox file.

Value: FOLDER_NAME

Default: MPC-Alert

--output

Purpose: Output file for the watchdog check.

Value: OUTPUT

Default: <Programmordner>\runtime\thunderbird_mail_files.json

credentials-status

Check encrypted credentials.

Safety and dependencies: Reads or creates local MPC-RSS data. The exact effect depends on the supplied options and local configuration.

Typical invocation: MPC-RSS-Feed.exe credentials-status --help

-h, --help

Purpose: Show this help message and exit.

Value: Flag without value

Default: no default

clear-credentials

Remove stored credentials.

Safety and dependencies: Deletes locally stored credentials. Previous values cannot be restored automatically afterwards.

Typical invocation: MPC-RSS-Feed.exe clear-credentials --help

-h, --help

Purpose: Show this help message and exit.

Value: Flag without value

Default: no default

self-test

Run the DPAPI and parser self-test without network access.

Safety and dependencies: Reads or creates local MPC-RSS data. The exact effect depends on the supplied options and local configuration.

Typical invocation: MPC-RSS-Feed.exe self-test --help

-h, --help

Purpose: Show this help message and exit.

Value: Flag without value

Default: no default