clj

Start REPL

$ clj

$ clj -M [script.clj]

$ clj -X [namespace/function]

$ clj -A:[alias]

$ clj -X:deps list

$ clj -X:deps tree

$ clj -J-Xmx[2g] -M [script.clj]

clj [clj-opts] [-M|-X|-T] [aliases] [args]

clj is a wrapper around the clojure command that adds readline support via rlwrap, providing line editing, history, and completion in the REPL. It is the recommended way to start interactive Clojure development sessions.
The tool manages dependencies through deps.edn configuration files and supports multiple execution modes for running programs, executing functions, and invoking tools. Aliases defined in deps.edn allow switching between different dependency configurations for development, testing, and production.
For non-interactive use cases such as shell scripts and CI pipelines, use the clojure command directly instead, as rlwrap can interfere with piped input and output.

-A:aliases

Use aliases for deps/paths

Pass option to JVM

Override deps.edn

Print classpath

Use given classpath

Force classpath recomputation

Ignore user deps.edn

Print dependency tree

Print environment info as EDN

Prepare deps only, don't exec

Show help

deps.edn

Project-level dependency declarations, aliases, and path configurations.

User-level default dependencies and aliases applied to all projects.

-M

Use clojure.main, call -main function

Execute function with keyword args map

Like -X but classpath set to . only

Requires deps.edn for project configuration. Use `clojure` instead of `clj` in scripts (no rlwrap). JVM options via -J or JAVA_OPTS env var.

lein(1), java(1), clojure(1)