# arc ensure

Arc agent documentation

Start hub if not already running, then exit

[CLI reference index](/arc/docs/reference/cli) · [CLI behavior guide](/arc/docs/guides/cli)

## arc ensure

Start hub if not already running, then exit

```text
usage: arc ensure [-h] [--host HOST] [--port PORT] [--storage STORAGE]
                  [--spool-dir SPOOL_DIR] [--timeout TIMEOUT] [--allow-remote]
                  [--max-body-chars MAX_BODY_CHARS]
                  [--max-attachment-chars MAX_ATTACHMENT_CHARS]
                  [--max-attachments MAX_ATTACHMENTS]

options:
  -h, --help            show this help message and exit
  --host HOST
  --port PORT
  --storage STORAGE     SQLite path. Defaults to <arc data-root>/app.db; pass
                        an explicit path to keep cwd-relative storage.
  --spool-dir SPOOL_DIR
  --timeout TIMEOUT
  --allow-remote
  --max-body-chars MAX_BODY_CHARS
                        Maximum characters in a message body
  --max-attachment-chars MAX_ATTACHMENT_CHARS
                        Maximum characters per attachment (JSON-encoded)
  --max-attachments MAX_ATTACHMENTS
                        Maximum attachments per message

```

### Argument defaults

| Argument | Required | Default | Choices |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `--host` | no | "127.0.0.1" | — |
| `--port` | no | 6969 | — |
| `--storage` | no | null | — |
| `--spool-dir` | no | ".arc-relay" | — |
| `--timeout` | no | 60.0 | — |
| `--allow-remote` | no | false | — |
| `--max-body-chars` | no | 128000 | — |
| `--max-attachment-chars` | no | 256000 | — |
| `--max-attachments` | no | 32 | — |