# File commands: edit, generate

URL: /code/cli/file/verbs · Id: `page:code/cli/file/verbs`

> The File Verbs edit, generate as CLI commands, with inputs, result, refusals and an example.

Reference for [File](/business/nouns/file), one group of [File commands](/code/cli/file).

### File.edit
Edit makes a new File from an existing one by instruction, such as upscaling or animating a still, and leaves the source unchanged. [Verb page](/business/nouns/file/edit?interface=cli).

```text
npx startup-builder do File.edit --json '<input>' [--try | --send | --do]
```

Emits [`File.edited`](/business/events/File.edited).

**Inputs**

| Input | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `file` | [File](/business/nouns/file) | Yes | The source File. |
| `instruction` | `text` | Yes | What to change. |
| `references` | list of [File](/business/nouns/file) | No | Further Files the edit follows. |
| `format` | `json` | No | Aspect ratio, resolution, duration and file type of the result. |

**Returns**

| Output | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `file` | [File](/business/nouns/file) | Yes | The new File, which records its source. |

**Refuses when**

| Check | Error | Fix | Then call |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| The key is valid, but its scopes do not allow this operation. | [`forbidden`](/code/api/errors/forbidden) | Use a key whose scopes cover the operation, or ask an owner of the namespace to grant them. | None. |

**Example**

```bash
npx startup-builder do File.edit --json '{"file":"file_V1AuhyCTsH","instruction":"Example instruction"}'
```

### File.generate
Generate makes an image, video, speech or music File from a prompt and reference Files, and records how it was made. [Verb page](/business/nouns/file/generate?interface=cli).

```text
npx startup-builder do File.generate --json '<input>' [--try | --send | --do]
```

Emits [`File.generated`](/business/events/File.generated).

**Inputs**

| Input | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `kind` | `string` | Yes | What to make. |
| `prompt` | `text` | Yes | What to make, or for `speech` the text to speak. |
| `references` | list of [File](/business/nouns/file) | No | Files the output follows, such as a product photo or a first frame. |
| `voice` | [Voice](/business/nouns/voice) | No | The Voice that speaks, for `speech`. |
| `format` | `json` | No | Aspect ratio, resolution, duration and file type. |

**Returns**

| Output | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `file` | [File](/business/nouns/file) | Yes | The generated File, its bytes in Storage and its provenance recorded. |

**Refuses when**

| Check | Error | Fix | Then call |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| The key is valid, but its scopes do not allow this operation. | [`forbidden`](/code/api/errors/forbidden) | Use a key whose scopes cover the operation, or ask an owner of the namespace to grant them. | None. |

**Example**

```bash
npx startup-builder do File.generate --json '{"kind":"image","prompt":"Example prompt"}'
```