anki

Launch the GUI

$ anki

$ anki -p [profile_name]

$ anki -l [language]

$ anki -b [path/to/directory]

anki [--profile PROFILE] [--lang LANG] [file]

--profile PROFILE
    Launches Anki with a specific user profile by its name. This is useful for managing multiple distinct sets of decks, settings, and statistics for different users or purposes.

--lang LANG
    Sets the display language for the Anki interface. Common values include 'en' for English, 'es' for Spanish, 'fr' for French, etc.

file
    Opens Anki and attempts to import or open the specified Anki deck package (.apkg) or an Anki collection file (.anki2, .sqlite).

Anki is a powerful, open-source spaced repetition flashcard program designed to help users remember facts and concepts efficiently using active recall and spaced repetition. The anki command primarily serves to launch the graphical user interface (GUI) application on Linux. It provides a comprehensive environment for deck management, card creation, synchronization across devices, and personalized review sessions. Widely adopted by students, language learners, and professionals, Anki excels at memorizing diverse information, from vocabulary and historical dates to medical terminology and programming syntax. Its core principle is to present flashcards at optimal intervals, just as you're about to forget them, maximizing retention with minimal effort and study time.

The anki command primarily launches a graphical desktop application; it is not a typical command-line utility for direct data manipulation or extensive CLI-based interactions. All significant operations like creating decks, adding cards, or performing reviews are executed within the GUI. Command-line options are limited to initial setup and file loading.

The anki command's main purpose is to initiate the graphical user interface. All core functionalities of Anki, such as deck management, card creation, review sessions, and synchronization, are performed interactively within the launched GUI application, not directly via command-line arguments.

Anki boasts a rich ecosystem of community-developed add-ons that significantly extend its capabilities, ranging from advanced card styling to integration with external tools. These add-ons are managed and utilized from within the Anki GUI, not through command-line parameters.

Anki's effectiveness is rooted in its intelligent scheduling algorithm, which optimizes learning by presenting cards to you at increasing intervals, just before you're likely to forget them. This principle maximizes long-term memory retention and minimizes the overall study time required.

Anki was originally created by Damien Elmes in 2006. Its development was largely driven by the desire for a highly efficient learning tool based on the principles of spaced repetition, particularly the SM-2 algorithm from SuperMemo. Its open-source nature has fostered a robust community, leading to continuous improvements, numerous add-ons, and translations, significantly expanding its functionality and global reach. Anki has evolved from a simple flashcard program into a sophisticated and widely-used learning platform.