# Specifying a Work Directory With `workdir` or `workdirectory`

Each work directory is associated with a test suite and stores its test result files in a cache. You can use the work directory command to:

- Use an Existing Work Directory
- Create a New Work Directory
- Replace an Existing Work Directory

See Shortcuts to Initialize a Configuration for information about specifying a work directory in the command line.

## Use an Existing Work Directory

To use an existing work directory for the test run, include either the `workdir` or `workdirectory` command in the command line:

> jtharness ... `-workdir` path/filename ... [task-command] ...

See About the Command-Line Examples for a description of the use of > jtharness in the example.

See Command-Line Overview for a description of the command line structure.

See Formatting a Command for descriptions and examples of the following command formats.

## Create a New Work Directory

To create a new work directory for the test run, use the `-create` command option:

> jtharness ... `-workdir -create` path/filename [configuration-command] ... [task-command] ...

See About the Command-Line Examples for a description of use of > jtharness in the example. See Command-Line Overview for a description of the command line structure.

The new work directory must not previously exist. You can also use an existing work directory as a template to create a new work directory for the test run. To use an existing work directory as a template, put the template in the command line before the `create` command.

When creating the command string, include the commands in the following sequence:

1. (Optional) Include the commands required to specify the test suite.

> See Specifying a Test Suite With `testSuite` for detailed information about the command.

2. (Optional) Include the `-workdir` path/filename command required to specify an existing work directory.
3. Include the `workdir` or `workdirectory -create` path/filename command.
4. Include the commands required to specify a configuration file.

> See Specifying a Configuration File With `config` for detailed information about the command.

5. (Optional) Include the commands required to set specific values.

> See Setting Specific Values for detailed information about the available commands.

6. (Optional) Include the `runtests` command.

> The results of the test run are written to the new work directory. See Running Tests With `runtests` for detailed information about the command.

### Detailed Example of Creating a New Work Directory

In the following example, myworkdir`.wd` and myconfig`.jti` represent file names that might exist on your system.

Command Options Format Example:

> jtharness `-workdir` myworkdir`.wd -create` testrun`.wd -config` myconfig`.jti -runtests`

When the tests are run, the harness uses the work directory (testrun`.wd`) created by the command line, even if the configuration file (myconfig`.jti`) was created using another work directory.

See Formatting a Command for descriptions and examples of other command formats that you can use.

## Replace an Existing Work Directory

When you replace an existing work directory with a new work directory, the harness performs the following tasks:

- Deletes the existing work directory and its contents.
- Creates the new work directory using the same name (if the old directory was successfully deleted).

To replace an existing work directory with a new work directory, use the `-overwrite` command option.

> jtharness ... `-workdir -overwrite` path/filename ... [task-command] ...

or

> jtharness ... `-workdir -create -overwrite` path/filename ... [task-command] ...

The `-create` command option is optional when the `-overwrite` command is used.

See About the Command-Line Examples for a description of use of > jtharness in the examples.

See Command-Line Overview for a description of the command-line structure.

### Detailed Example of Replacing an Existing Work Directory

In the following example, myconfig`.jti` represents a configuration file name that might exist on your system.

Command Options Format Example:

> jtharness `-workdir -overwrite` testrun`.wd -config` myconfig`.jti -runtests`

The harness uses the work directory testrun`.wd` created by the command line when the tests are run, even if myconfig`.jti` was created using another work directory.

See Formatting a Command for descriptions and examples of other command formats that you can use.

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