# Desktop Options and Preferences

In most cases, command-line options perform functions that are also available through the GUI. However, there are several situations in which using command-line options to specify how the harness starts are uniquely useful or necessary.

When starting the harness you can use options in the command line to perform the following tasks:

- Use a new desktop when starting the harness GUI.
- Restore tools state when starting the harness GUI.
- Specify a look and feel when starting the harness GUI.
- Change the status colors when starting the harness GUI.

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