## Command line arguments

If you'd like Speak Freely to start with one or more connections already open, save the connections in `.SFX` files, and create a shortcut which names the saved connections on the Speak Freely command line (target). Be sure to specify a complete path name for each connection file, and if you're specifying more than one connection file, separate them by commas. If you'd like Speak Freely to start minimised rather than as an open window, add the "`/S`" switch to the command line or choose that mode when editing the properties of the program item/shortcut.

The following command line, which assumes you've installed Speak Freely in the directory `C:\SPEAKFRE`, starts the program minimised with two connections already open.

> `c:\speakfre\speakfre.exe /s c:\speakfre\alice.sfx,c:\speakfre\bob.sfx`

You can also create connections when Speak Freely is started by specifying the IP address of the host to which you wish to connect (its numeric Internet address is given as a "dotted quad", for example 192.168.14.211; a port number may also be specified, preceded by a slash). You can mix IP addresses and `.SFX` file names on the same command line, for example:

> `speakfre 192.168.14,211,c:\speakfre\bob.sfx,192.168.191.88/4074`