To understand and leverage Cloudflare’s powerful cf CLI tool, here are the detailed steps:

👉 Skip the hassle and get the ready to use 100% working script (Link in the comments section of the YouTube Video) (Latest test 31/05/2025)

Check more on: How to Bypass Cloudflare Turnstile & Cloudflare WAF – Reddit, How to Bypass Cloudflare Turnstile, Cloudflare WAF & reCAPTCHA v3 – Medium, How to Bypass Cloudflare Turnstile, WAF & reCAPTCHA v3 – LinkedIn Article

Cloudflare’s cf command-line interface CLI is a robust tool that allows developers and system administrators to interact with their Cloudflare accounts and services directly from the terminal.

Think of it as your express lane to managing DNS records, configuring Workers, deploying Pages, purging cache, and much more, without ever leaving your command line.

It’s designed for efficiency, automation, and deep integration into your development workflows. This isn’t just about clicking buttons in a UI.

It’s about scripting, scaling, and precise control, giving you a competitive edge in managing your web assets.

Table of Contents

Understanding the Cloudflare `cf` CLI

The cf CLI is Cloudflare’s official command-line tool, providing direct access to nearly all Cloudflare API functionalities.

This tool is a must for anyone managing multiple domains, automating deployments, or interacting with Cloudflare Workers and Pages.

It streamlines operations that would otherwise require navigating through the Cloudflare dashboard, making your workflow significantly more efficient.

As of early 2024, the cf CLI continues to evolve, with new features and improvements being rolled out regularly, reflecting Cloudflare’s commitment to developer experience.

Many organizations, from small startups to large enterprises, are increasingly integrating CLI tools like cf into their CI/CD pipelines to automate routine tasks and enhance operational consistency. Cloudflare personal

Reports indicate that development teams using advanced CLI tools can reduce deployment times by up to 30%, which is a substantial gain in productivity.

Why Use the `cf` CLI?

The primary advantage of the cf CLI lies in its ability to automate repetitive tasks. Imagine having to purge cache for 50 different URLs across 10 different zones daily. manually, this is a nightmare. With cf, it’s a simple script.

Automation: Script repetitive tasks like DNS updates, cache purging, or Worker deployments.
Efficiency: Perform actions faster than navigating through the web UI, especially for complex operations or bulk changes.
Integration: Seamlessly integrate Cloudflare management into CI/CD pipelines, build processes, and custom scripts.
Precision: Execute specific API calls with granular control, often exposing options not readily available in the dashboard.
Debugging: Quickly inspect DNS records, security settings, and Worker logs directly from your terminal.

Key Features of the `cf` CLI

The cf CLI offers a wide array of features, making it an indispensable tool for Cloudflare users.

DNS Management: Add, delete, update DNS records with ease.
Cache Management: Purge cache for specific URLs, prefixes, or the entire zone.
Cloudflare Workers: Deploy, manage, and debug Cloudflare Workers. This is particularly powerful for edge computing.
Cloudflare Pages: Deploy static sites and frontend applications directly from your terminal.
Zone Management: List, create, or delete zones.
Security Settings: Configure WAF rules, DDoS protection, and SSL/TLS settings.
Analytics: Retrieve analytics data for your zones.
Access Management: Manage API tokens and user roles.

Installing and Authenticating the Cloudflare `cf` CLI

Getting started with the cf CLI is straightforward, involving a quick installation process followed by authentication.

It’s critical to set up your environment correctly to ensure seamless interaction with your Cloudflare account. Captcha code example

Proper authentication is the bedrock of secure and effective CLI usage.

Installation Steps

The installation method varies slightly depending on your operating system.

Cloudflare provides binaries for common platforms, making installation relatively painless.

macOS Homebrew:

brew install cloudflare/cloudflare/cloudflared
# Note: 'cloudflared' includes the 'cf' command as of recent versions.
# If `cf` is not found, you might need to install `npm` and then `npm install -g cloudflare-cli`
# Or, for the latest `cf` tool specifically:
# curl -L https://github.com/cloudflare/cloudflare-cli/releases/latest/download/cloudflare-cli_darwin_amd64.tar.gz | tar xz
# sudo mv cloudflare-cli /usr/local/bin/cf

Alternatively, for the official cf CLI:
npm install -g cloudflare-cli Chrome auto captcha

Ensure you have Node.js and npm installed for this method.

Linux apt/yum/dnf:

For cloudflared which often includes cf functionality or is a prerequisite:
curl -fsSL https://pkg.cloudflareclient.com/pubkey.gpg | sudo gpg –dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/cloudflare-warp-archive-keyring.gpg
echo “deb https://pkg.cloudflareclient.com/ focal main” | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/cloudflare-warp.list
sudo apt update
sudo apt install cloudflared

For the standalone cf CLI often through npm:
sudo apt update && sudo apt install nodejs npm
sudo npm install -g cloudflare-cli

Windows Chocolatey/Scoop/Manual:
Using Chocolatey: 2 captcha download

choco install cloudflared
Using Scoop:
scoop install cloudflared
Manual Download:


Download the latest binary from the https://github.com/cloudflare/cloudflare-cli/releases, extract it, and add the directory to your system's PATH.

Authentication Methods

Once installed, the cf CLI needs to authenticate with your Cloudflare account to manage your resources. There are two primary methods: using an API token or global API key. API tokens are highly recommended for their granular permissions and enhanced security.

Using API Tokens Recommended:
1. Create an API Token:
  - Log in to your Cloudflare dashboard.
  - Go to My Profile > API Tokens.
  - Click Create Token.
  - Choose a template e.g., “Edit Cloudflare Workers” for Workers management or create a Custom Token.
  - Crucially, restrict permissions to only what’s necessary. For example, if you only manage DNS, grant permissions for “Zone DNS” > “Edit”. This follows the principle of least privilege, minimizing potential risk if your token is compromised.
  - Specify Zone Resources e.g., “All zones” or specific zones.
  - Set Client IP Address Filtering if you’re using a static IP.
  - Set an expiration date if desired.
  - Click Continue to summary and then Create Token.
  - Copy the token immediately—it will not be shown again.
2. Authenticate with the cf CLI:
```
cf login
```
  The CLI will prompt you to enter your API Token. Paste it and press Enter. Captcha how to use
  
  The token is then stored securely, usually in ~/.cloudflare/config.json on Linux/macOS or %USERPROFILE%\.cloudflare\config.json on Windows.
Using Global API Key Discouraged:
The Global API Key grants full access to your entire Cloudflare account, including billing information. Using this key is highly discouraged due to its inherent security risks. If compromised, it can lead to complete account takeover. Only use this if absolutely no other option is available and with extreme caution.
1. Retrieve Global API Key:
  - Scroll down to “Global API Key” and click “View”.
  - Copy the key.
2. Authenticate if prompted by cf login:
  
  When cf login asks for your API token, you can typically paste the Global API Key. Get captcha code

Some older cf CLI versions might also allow specifying it via environment variables, but API tokens are the modern and secure standard.

Security Best Practice: Always use API tokens with the least privilege necessary. If you create a token for DNS management, it should not have permissions for Worker deployment. This minimizes the blast radius in case the token is compromised. Regularly audit your API tokens and revoke any that are no longer in use or have excessive permissions.

Managing DNS Records with `cf`

Managing DNS records is one of the most fundamental tasks for any website or application, and the cf CLI makes it incredibly efficient.

Whether you’re adding new subdomains, updating IP addresses, or configuring email routing, cf provides granular control directly from your terminal.

This is particularly useful for developers who need to quickly spin up new environments or for system administrators managing hundreds of records. Captcha cost

A typical web developer might spend 10-15% of their time on DNS-related tasks during initial setup or migration.

Using a CLI can cut this time significantly, potentially by 50% or more for bulk operations.

Listing DNS Records

Before making changes, it’s often helpful to see the current state of your DNS records.

The cf CLI allows you to list all records for a specific zone.

cf dns records list <YOUR_DOMAIN>

Replace <YOUR_DOMAIN> with your actual domain name e.g., example.com. Browser captcha
This command will output a table of all DNS records, including their ID, type, name, content, TTL, and whether they are proxied Cloudflare CDN enabled.
Pro Tip: You can filter the results by type or name using additional flags:
cf dns records list example.com –type A

Cf dns records list example.com –name blog.example.com

This helps in quickly locating specific records among potentially hundreds.

Adding New DNS Records

Adding new records is straightforward. Challenge cloudflare

You’ll specify the zone, record type, name, and content.

Cf dns records create –type A –name dev –content 192.0.2.1 –ttl 3600 –proxied false

--type: The type of DNS record e.g., A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT, SRV.
--name: The name of the record e.g., dev for dev.example.com, or @ for the root domain.
--content: The value of the record e.g., IP address, target hostname, text string.
--ttl: Time To Live in seconds. Common values are 1 Automatic or 3600 1 hour.
--proxied: true or false. If true, Cloudflare proxies traffic through its network orange cloud. If false, traffic bypasses Cloudflare grey cloud.

Example: Adding a CNAME record for www:

Cf dns records create example.com –type CNAME –name www –content example.com –ttl 1 –proxied true

This sets www.example.com to point to example.com and proxies it through Cloudflare. Cloudflare t

Updating Existing DNS Records

To modify an existing record, you’ll need its unique ID.

You can get this ID from the cf dns records list command.

Cf dns records update –content 198.51.100.1

Replace <YOUR_DOMAIN> with your domain.
Replace <RECORD_ID> with the actual ID of the record you want to update.
You can update any parameter: --name, --content, --ttl, --proxied.

Example: Changing the IP address of an A record:

First, list records to find the ID:

cf dns records list example.com --name api.example.com
# Look for the 'ID' column. Let's assume the ID is 'abcdef1234567890'

Then, update it:

cf dns records update example.com abcdef1234567890 --content 203.0.113.50

Deleting DNS Records

Deleting records also requires the record’s ID. Chrome extension for captcha

Exercise caution when deleting, as this action is irreversible and can disrupt services.

cf dns records delete

Confirm the deletion when prompted.

Example: Deleting a test record:

Find the ID:

cf dns records list example.com --name test.example.com
# Assume ID is 'xyz1234567890abc'

Delete it:

cf dns records delete example.com xyz1234567890abc

By mastering these commands, you can efficiently manage your domain’s routing and ensure your online presence is always correctly configured.

Automating these tasks through scripts can save significant time and reduce human error, especially in dynamic environments where IP addresses or service endpoints change frequently. Captcha task

Purging Cloudflare Cache with `cf`

Cache management is a critical aspect of optimizing website performance and ensuring users always see the most up-to-date content.

Cloudflare’s extensive caching network significantly speeds up content delivery, but sometimes you need to bypass or clear this cache immediately.

The cf CLI provides robust tools for targeted or full cache purging, making it invaluable for developers deploying new features or content creators updating their sites.

Studies show that effective caching strategies can reduce server load by 60-80% and improve page load times by up to 50%. However, stale cache is a common headache, and a CLI tool like cf turns that headache into a quick command.

Purging All Cache for a Zone

This is the most drastic option and should be used sparingly, as it clears all cached content for your domain, potentially leading to a temporary performance dip as Cloudflare re-caches everything. Github recaptcha solver

cf cache purge –all

This command will prompt you for confirmation before proceeding, acting as a safeguard.
When to use: Ideal for major website updates, domain migrations, or when you suspect widespread caching issues.
Impact: Expect a brief period where assets might load slower as Cloudflare rebuilds its cache. This impact is usually minimal for sites with consistent traffic, as popular assets are re-cached quickly.

Purging Specific URLs

For targeted updates or bug fixes, purging specific URLs is much more efficient.

This allows you to invalidate only the content that has changed, leaving the rest of your cached assets untouched.

Cf cache purge –url https://example.com/new-article/ –url https://example.com/images/logo-v2.png

You can specify multiple --url flags in a single command.
Ensure you provide the full, canonical URL, including the protocol http/https.
When to use: When you update a specific blog post, an image, a CSS file, or any individual page. This is the most common use case for cache purging.
Benefit: Minimal impact on overall site performance since only a fraction of the cache is affected.

Purging by Hostname, Prefix, or Tag

Cloudflare offers more advanced purging options, which are particularly useful for complex sites or those utilizing Cloudflare’s Cache-Tagging feature. 2 captcha typers

Purging by Prefix: Clears all cached resources under a specific URL path.

Cf cache purge –prefix https://example.com/blog/

This will clear all content under https://example.com/blog/, including https://example.com/blog/post-1, https://example.com/blog/images/hero.jpg, etc.
- When to use: When a section of your site e.g., a blog, an e-commerce category undergoes a significant update.
Purging by Hostname: Clears all cached resources for a specific hostname subdomain.

Cf cache purge –hostname blog.example.com Cloudflare checking if the site connection is secure
- When to use: If you have multiple subdomains and only one needs its cache cleared e.g., a staging environment on a subdomain.
Purging by Tag: This is a powerful feature for dynamic content. You can assign “Cache-Tags” to your content via HTTP headers e.g., Cache-Tag: article-id-123, author-john-doe. Then, you can purge all content associated with a specific tag.

Cf cache purge –tag article-id-123
- When to use: For highly dynamic applications where content updates frequently and relationships exist between different pieces of content. For example, updating a product in your database could trigger a purge of all pages tagged with that product’s ID. This requires backend integration to set the Cache-Tag header.

Important Considerations:

Propagation Time: While cf CLI commands are instant for initiating the purge, it can take a few seconds to a few minutes for the purge to propagate across Cloudflare’s global network of 300+ data centers.
Browser Cache: Even after Cloudflare’s cache is purged, users might still see old content if it’s cached in their browser. For critical updates, advise users to hard refresh Ctrl+F5 or Cmd+Shift+R.
Rate Limits: Be mindful of Cloudflare API rate limits, especially for automated scripts that purge cache frequently. While generally generous, excessive calls might lead to temporary blocking.

By leveraging these cf CLI cache purging commands, you maintain granular control over your content delivery, ensuring your users always get the freshest data while still enjoying the speed benefits of Cloudflare’s caching.

Deploying Cloudflare Workers and Pages with `cf`

Cloudflare Workers and Cloudflare Pages are transformative services for modern web development, enabling developers to build and deploy serverless functions at the edge and highly performant static sites respectively.

The cf CLI is an indispensable tool for managing these services, streamlining the deployment process from local development to global availability.

In 2023, Cloudflare reported over 1 million active Workers applications, processing trillions of requests monthly, highlighting the immense growth and adoption of edge computing.

Similarly, Cloudflare Pages has become a go-to platform for frontend developers due to its simplicity and integration with Git.

Cloudflare Workers Deployment

Cloudflare Workers allow you to run JavaScript, Rust, C, and other languages at the edge, closer to your users.

The cf CLI, particularly through the wrangler the official CLI for Workers and sometimes directly cf commands, simplifies the deployment process.

Using `wrangler` Official Worker CLI

While cf can manage some Worker-related aspects, wrangler is the dedicated, feature-rich CLI for Workers.

Install wrangler:
npm install -g wrangler
Authenticate wrangler:
wrangler login

This will open a browser window for Cloudflare authentication and store your API token.
Create a new Worker project:
wrangler init my-worker-app
cd my-worker-app

This generates a basic Worker project structure with a wrangler.toml configuration file and an index.js file.
Develop your Worker:
Write your Worker logic in index.js.
Deploy your Worker:
wrangler deploy
- This command will package your Worker code, upload it to Cloudflare, and deploy it to the URL specified in your wrangler.toml file e.g., my-worker-app.yourusername.workers.dev.
- wrangler deploy --minify --compatibility-date 2024-01-01 can be used for optimized deployments.
View Logs:
wrangler tail

This command streams real-time logs from your deployed Worker, essential for debugging.

Why `wrangler` over `cf` for Workers?

While cf might have some legacy Worker commands, wrangler is the actively developed and recommended CLI for Cloudflare Workers. It provides:

Local Development Server: wrangler dev for fast iteration.
Testing: Integrated testing frameworks.
Secrets Management: Securely manage environment variables.
Boundaries and Routes: Configure which requests trigger your Worker.
Version Control Integration: Seamless integration with Git for CI/CD.

Cloudflare Pages Deployment

Cloudflare Pages is a Jamstack platform for frontend developers, allowing you to build and deploy static sites directly from a Git repository.

While Pages is primarily designed for Git-based deployments e.g., connecting to GitHub or GitLab, the cf CLI specifically through wrangler provides a powerful way to deploy static assets directly, bypassing Git if needed, or integrating into custom build pipelines.

Using `wrangler` for Pages Deployment

The wrangler pages command is used for direct deployments to Cloudflare Pages. This is useful for:

Local Builds: Deploying a site that was built locally without pushing to Git.
Custom CI/CD: Integrating Pages deployments into non-Git-based CI/CD workflows.
Testing: Quickly deploying a test version of your site.

Build Your Static Site:

Ensure your static site is built and ready for deployment.

For example, if you’re using React with create-react-app, run npm run build. This typically creates a build or dist directory.
2. Deploy to Pages:

wrangler pages deploy <YOUR_BUILD_DIRECTORY> --project-name <YOUR_PAGES_PROJECT_NAME>
*   Replace `<YOUR_BUILD_DIRECTORY>` with the path to your static site's build output e.g., `.` for the current directory, `./build`, or `./dist`.
*   Replace `<YOUR_PAGES_PROJECT_NAME>` with the name of your Cloudflare Pages project if it exists, otherwise it will create a new one. This project name must be unique within your Cloudflare account.
*   Example:


    wrangler pages deploy ./build --project-name my-personal-website
*   This command will upload the contents of your build directory to Cloudflare Pages. It will provide a unique deployment URL and, if configured, update your custom domain.

Pages Integration with Git Primary Workflow

While wrangler pages deploy is powerful for direct uploads, the most common and recommended workflow for Cloudflare Pages is connecting it directly to your Git repository GitHub, GitLab. This enables:

Automatic Deployments: Every push to a specified branch e.g., main triggers a new deployment.
Preview Deployments: Every pull request generates a unique preview URL, allowing for easy collaboration and review.
Build Configuration: Define your build commands and output directory within the Cloudflare Pages dashboard.

Recommendation: For long-term projects and collaborative environments, prioritize the Git-based deployment workflow for Cloudflare Pages. Use wrangler pages deploy for specific scenarios like local testing or custom pipelines where Git integration isn’t the primary method.

By leveraging wrangler for both Workers and Pages, you gain a powerful toolset for building and deploying modern web applications, integrating seamlessly into your development process and taking full advantage of Cloudflare’s edge infrastructure.

Configuring Cloudflare Security Settings with `cf`

Cloudflare is renowned for its comprehensive security suite, protecting websites and applications from a wide range of threats, including DDoS attacks, bot attacks, and various web vulnerabilities.

The cf CLI allows you to programmatically configure these critical security settings, enabling automation, consistent policy enforcement across multiple zones, and faster response times to emerging threats.

While the Cloudflare dashboard provides a user-friendly interface, managing security policies via CLI offers a significant advantage for large organizations or those requiring integration with security orchestration tools.

Cloudflare mitigates an average of 117 billion cyber threats per day, with 61% of all reported DDoS attacks occurring through HTTP/HTTPS.

Leveraging CLI for security configuration can significantly enhance your defensive posture.

Managing Web Application Firewall WAF Settings

The WAF protects your application from common web vulnerabilities like SQL injection and cross-site scripting XSS.

Listing WAF Packages:
cf firewall waf packages list

This shows available WAF packages e.g., Cloudflare Managed Rules, OWASP ModSecurity Core Rule Set.
Enabling/Disabling WAF Rules Example:

While direct cf CLI commands for granular WAF rule manipulation can be complex and often involve the API directly, the cf CLI can help manage general WAF settings or apply managed rules.

For specific rule IDs or custom rules, you might use the cloudflare-go SDK or direct API calls.
# This is a conceptual example for enabling/disabling a managed rule group
# Actual command might be more involved or require specific API calls
# For instance, to change action for a specific rule ID within a package:
# cf api /zones/:zone_id/firewall/waf/packages/:package_id/rules/:rule_id -X PATCH -d ‘{“mode”:”challenge”}’
Best Practice: For WAF rule management, often the most effective approach is to leverage Cloudflare’s API via a scripting language e.g., Python, Node.js where you can easily construct complex API requests, or rely on the dashboard for initial setup and then export configurations for automation.

Configuring Firewall Rules

Firewall Rules allow you to control traffic based on various criteria like IP address, country, user agent, URL path, etc. These are highly customizable and powerful.

Listing Firewall Rules:
cf firewall rules list

This command will show you all existing firewall rules, including their IDs, expressions, and actions.
Creating a Firewall Rule:
cf firewall rules create \
```
--expression "ip.src eq 192.0.2.1 or ip.src eq 198.51.100.1 and not http.request.uri.path contains \"/admin\"" \
 --action block \


--description "Block specific IPs from admin path" \
 --paused false
```
- --expression: Uses Cloudflare’s Firewall Rules syntax. This is highly flexible.
- --action: What to do with matching traffic e.g., block, challenge, js_challenge, allow, log.
- --description: A helpful description for the rule.
- --paused: true to disable the rule, false to enable.
Example: Blocking a specific user agent:
cf firewall rules create example.com \
```
--expression "http.user_agent contains \"BadBot\"" \
 --description "Block BadBot"
```
Updating a Firewall Rule:

You’ll need the rule’s ID from list command.

Cf firewall rules update
–action js_challenge
–description “JS Challenge known bots”
Deleting a Firewall Rule:

Cf firewall rules delete

Managing Rate Limiting Rules

Rate limiting protects your origin server from excessive requests, which can be indicative of DDoS attacks, brute-force attempts, or abusive bot activity.

Listing Rate Limiting Rules:
cf rate-limits list
Creating a Rate Limiting Rule:

This command is more complex due to the various parameters involved threshold, period, action, matching criteria.
cf rate-limits create \
```
--match "url contains '/login' and http.request.method eq 'POST'" \
 --threshold 10 \
 --period 60 \
 --action-mode simulate \


--description "Block brute force login attempts"
```
- --match: The expression that defines what requests to rate limit.
- --threshold: The number of requests within the period.
- --period: The time window in seconds e.g., 60 for 1 minute.
- --action: What to do when threshold is hit block, challenge, js_challenge, simulate.
- --action-mode: simulate only logs, no action or ban applies the action. Use simulate for testing.
- --description: A descriptive name.
Example: Limiting API requests:
cf rate-limits create api.example.com
–match “url contains ‘/api/v1/’”
–threshold 1000
–period 300
–action challenge \
```
--description "Limit API requests to 1000 per 5 mins"
```
Note: For rate limits, the --match expression defines the key Cloudflare uses to count requests.

SSL/TLS Configuration Basic

While complex SSL/TLS configurations often require careful consideration and are best managed in the dashboard, the cf CLI can help with basic settings like the SSL mode.

Setting SSL/TLS Mode:

To list current SSL mode

cf zone settings get ssl

To set SSL mode to Full

cf zone settings set ssl “full”
- Valid modes: off, flexible, full, strict.
- Recommendation: Always aim for full or strict SSL for end-to-end encryption. Flexible is discouraged as it only encrypts traffic from browser to Cloudflare, leaving origin traffic unencrypted.

Always test new security rules in a staging environment or with simulate modes before deploying to production.

Automating Cloudflare Tasks with `cf` and Scripting

One of the most powerful aspects of the cf CLI is its ability to be integrated into scripts, enabling advanced automation of Cloudflare tasks.

This capability transforms routine manual operations into efficient, repeatable, and error-resistant processes.

From continuous deployment pipelines to dynamic DNS updates and intelligent cache management, scripting with cf unlocks a new level of operational efficiency.

Enterprises leveraging automation for IT operations typically experience a 25-50% reduction in manual effort.

For Cloudflare users, this translates to faster deployments, more responsive incident management, and reduced operational overhead.

Bash Scripting for Daily Operations

Bash scripts are a straightforward way to combine multiple cf commands and integrate them with other system tools.

Example: Daily Cache Purge for Specific Paths after Content Update

Let’s say you update your blog content nightly and need to purge specific blog post URLs and your RSS feed.
#!/bin/bash

DOMAIN=”yourdomain.com”
LOG_FILE=”cloudflare_purge.log”
TIMESTAMP=$date +”%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S”

Echo ” Starting daily cache purge for $DOMAIN” | tee -a $LOG_FILE

List of URLs to purge

URLS=
“https://$DOMAIN/blog/latest-post/”
“https://$DOMAIN/blog/new-feature-guide/”
“https://$DOMAIN/rss.xml”

for url in “${URLS}”. do
echo “Purging URL: $url” | tee -a $LOG_FILE

cf cache purge $DOMAIN –url “$url” >> $LOG_FILE 2>&1
if . then
echo “Successfully purged: $url” | tee -a $LOG_FILE
else
echo “Failed to purge: $url” | tee -a $LOG_FILE
fi
sleep 1 # Avoid hitting rate limits too quickly for many URLs
done

Echo ” Cache purge completed.” | tee -a $LOG_FILE
- This script iterates through a list of URLs, purging each one.
- It logs output to a file for auditing.
- sleep 1 is included as a best practice to avoid aggressive rate limiting if you have many URLs.
Example: Dynamic DNS Update for a changing IP address

This script could be run as a cron job to update a DNS A record if your server’s public IP changes.

SUBDOMAIN=”home”
DNS_RECORD_TYPE=”A”
LOG_FILE=”/var/log/ddns_cloudflare.log”

Get current public IP

CURRENT_IP=$curl -s api.ipify.org

Echo “$date: Checking IP for $SUBDOMAIN.$DOMAIN” >> $LOG_FILE

Get existing DNS record info

DNS_INFO=$cf dns records list $DOMAIN –name $SUBDOMAIN.$DOMAIN –type $DNS_RECORD_TYPE –json
EXISTING_IP=$echo $DNS_INFO | jq -r ‘..content’
RECORD_ID=$echo $DNS_INFO | jq -r ‘..id’

if . then
```
echo "$date: IP changed from $EXISTING_IP to $CURRENT_IP. Updating DNS." >> $LOG_FILE
 if . then


    cf dns records update $DOMAIN $RECORD_ID --content $CURRENT_IP >> $LOG_FILE 2>&1


    echo "$date: DNS updated successfully." >> $LOG_FILE


    echo "$date: DNS record for $SUBDOMAIN.$DOMAIN not found. Creating it." >> $LOG_FILE


    cf dns records create $DOMAIN --type $DNS_RECORD_TYPE --name $SUBDOMAIN --content $CURRENT_IP --ttl 300 --proxied false >> $LOG_FILE 2>&1


    echo "$date: DNS record created successfully." >> $LOG_FILE
```
else
echo “$date: IP is still $CURRENT_IP. No update needed.” >> $LOG_FILE
fi
- Requires jq for JSON parsing sudo apt install jq or brew install jq.
- This script checks your current public IP and compares it to the DNS record. If different, it updates the record.
- This is great for home labs or services with dynamic IPs.

Integrating with CI/CD Pipelines

The cf CLI and wrangler are ideal for integration into Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment CI/CD pipelines e.g., GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Jenkins.

Example: GitHub Actions for Cloudflare Pages Deployment

This workflow automatically deploys your static site to Cloudflare Pages whenever you push to the main branch.

name: Deploy to Cloudflare Pages

on:
  push:
    branches:
      - main

jobs:
  deploy:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - name: Checkout Code
        uses: actions/checkout@v3

      - name: Install Node.js
        uses: actions/setup-node@v3
        with:
          node-version: '18'

      - name: Install dependencies
        run: npm install

      - name: Build project
       run: npm run build # Or your build command, e.g., 'jekyll build' or 'hugo'

      - name: Deploy to Cloudflare Pages
        uses: cloudflare/pages-action@v1


         apiToken: ${{ secrets.CLOUDFLARE_API_TOKEN_PAGES }}


         accountId: ${{ secrets.CLOUDFLARE_ACCOUNT_ID }}
          projectName: my-frontend-app
         directory: ./build # Or your build output directory, e.g., './public', './dist'
         # branch: main # Optional: specify a branch if different from push branch
*   You need to set `CLOUDFLARE_API_TOKEN_PAGES` an API token with Pages deployment permissions and `CLOUDFLARE_ACCOUNT_ID` in your GitHub repository secrets.
*   The `cloudflare/pages-action@v1` action is a wrapper around `wrangler pages deploy`.

Example: GitHub Actions for Cloudflare Worker Deployment

This workflow deploys a Cloudflare Worker using wrangler on every push to main.
name: Deploy Cloudflare Worker

   - uses: actions/checkout@v3

   - name: Install Node.js and Wrangler
   - run: npm install -g wrangler

   - name: Deploy Worker
     run: wrangler deploy
     env:


      CLOUDFLARE_API_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.CLOUDFLARE_API_TOKEN_WORKER }}


      CLOUDFLARE_ACCOUNT_ID: ${{ secrets.CLOUDFLARE_ACCOUNT_ID }}
      # If you need to set secrets for the Worker itself e.g., API keys for external services
      # CF_WORKER_MY_SECRET: ${{ secrets.MY_WORKER_SECRET }}

CLOUDFLARE_API_TOKEN_WORKER should be an API token with permissions for Cloudflare Workers.
wrangler automatically picks up CLOUDFLARE_API_TOKEN and CLOUDFLARE_ACCOUNT_ID from environment variables.

Best Practices for Scripting with `cf`

Use API Tokens: Always use granular API tokens, never your Global API Key. Store them securely as environment variables in CI/CD or in restricted files locally.
Error Handling: Include if . then ... fi checks in your bash scripts to gracefully handle command failures.
Logging: Log all output to a file for auditing and debugging.
Idempotency: Design scripts to be idempotent, meaning running them multiple times yields the same result without unintended side effects.
Rate Limits: Be aware of Cloudflare API rate limits typically hundreds or thousands of requests per minute. Space out calls if performing bulk operations.
JSON Output: Use the --json flag with cf commands and jq for robust parsing of command output in scripts.
Test in Staging: Always test automation scripts in a non-production or staging environment first.

By embracing scripting with the cf CLI and wrangler, you can transform your Cloudflare management from a series of manual clicks to a highly automated, reliable, and efficient operation, mirroring the best practices in modern DevOps.

Advanced `cf` CLI Techniques and Troubleshooting

Beyond the basic commands, the cf CLI offers a suite of advanced techniques and flags that can significantly enhance your efficiency and aid in debugging.

Mastering these can help you extract specific data, handle complex configurations, and quickly diagnose issues.

Even for experienced users, issues can arise, and knowing how to troubleshoot effectively is key.

Data indicates that proficient use of command-line tools can reduce diagnostic time for network and server issues by up to 40%.

Using `--json` and `jq` for Programmatic Output

Many cf commands support the --json flag, which outputs results in a machine-readable JSON format instead of a human-readable table.

This is incredibly powerful when you need to process command output programmatically, especially in scripts.

Example: Get the ID of a specific DNS record:
cf dns records list example.com –name api.example.com –type A –json | jq -r ‘..id’
- This command lists all A records for api.example.com, outputs them as JSON, and then jq -r '..id' extracts the id of the first record found.
- jq is a lightweight and flexible command-line JSON processor. It’s an essential companion for cf --json.
Example: List all proxied DNS records:
cf dns records list example.com –json | jq -r ‘. | select.proxied==true | .name, .content’

This outputs the name and content of all DNS records that are proxied by Cloudflare.

Debugging with `--verbose` and `--debug`

When commands don’t behave as expected, or you need more insight into what the CLI is doing, the --verbose and --debug flags can be invaluable.

--verbose: Provides more detailed output, showing additional information about the API request or the CLI’s internal processing.

Cf dns records create example.com –type TXT –name _test –content “hello” –verbose
--debug: Provides even more detailed output, including raw HTTP requests and responses, which is extremely useful for deep troubleshooting and understanding API interactions.
cf dns records list example.com –debug
- Caution: --debug output can be very verbose and may contain sensitive information if not handled carefully.

Specifying Account and Zone IDs Directly

While cf often infers your account and zone IDs after cf login and subsequent commands, sometimes you need to specify them explicitly, especially when managing multiple accounts or zones, or in non-interactive scripts.

Most cf commands have --account-id <ID> and --zone-id <ID> flags.
To find your Account ID:
cf account list –json | jq -r ‘..id’

You can also find it in your Cloudflare dashboard URL or in the account details.
To find your Zone ID for a specific domain:
cf zone list –name example.com –json | jq -r ‘..id’

Or from the domain’s overview page in the Cloudflare dashboard.
Example: Purging cache with explicit Zone ID:
cf cache purge –zone-id your_zone_id –all

This is especially useful if yourdomain.com is not unique enough or if you have multiple zones with similar names.

Handling API Rate Limits

Cloudflare APIs have rate limits to prevent abuse.

While generally generous, continuous automated scripts can hit these limits, leading to 429 Too Many Requests errors.

Implement delays: Use sleep commands in your scripts between API calls, especially in loops.
for record in $cat records.txt. do
```
cf dns records update example.com $record_id --content $new_ip
sleep 0.5 # Pause for 500 milliseconds
```
Batch requests: Where possible, use commands that allow batch operations e.g., purging multiple URLs in one command instead of individual calls.
Error Handling: In scripts, specifically check for 429 errors and implement a retry mechanism with exponential backoff.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

“Authentication failed”:
- Ensure your API token is correct and hasn’t expired.
- Verify the token has the necessary permissions for the action you’re trying to perform.
- Try cf login again.
- Check for leading/trailing spaces when pasting the token.
“Zone not found” or “Resource not found”:
- Double-check the domain name or ID.
- Ensure your API token has access to that specific zone.
- Verify you’re specifying the correct account ID if you have multiple.
“Invalid parameter” or “Bad request”:
- Review the command syntax and parameter values. Check Cloudflare’s API documentation for the specific endpoint if you’re unsure.
- Ensure JSON expressions are correctly formatted for jq or when passing data.
Unexpected cf CLI behavior or crashes:
- Ensure you have the latest version of the cf CLI. Update it via your package manager brew upgrade cloudflared, npm update -g cloudflare-cli or by downloading the latest binary.
- Check Cloudflare’s status page for any ongoing service disruptions.

By leveraging these advanced techniques and understanding common troubleshooting steps, you can harness the full potential of the cf CLI, making your Cloudflare management tasks more efficient, automated, and resilient.

Important Considerations and Best Practices

While the Cloudflare cf CLI is an incredibly powerful tool, its effective and secure use requires adherence to certain best practices.

This ensures not only the stability of your operations but also the security of your Cloudflare account and the resources it manages.

Neglecting these principles can lead to security vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, or operational disruptions.

Remember, powerful tools come with significant responsibility.

Security First: API Token Management

This cannot be stressed enough.

Your API tokens are the keys to your Cloudflare kingdom.

Principle of Least Privilege: Always create API tokens with the absolute minimum permissions required for the task. If a script only needs to purge cache, it should only have cache purge permissions, not DNS or Worker deployment permissions. This minimizes the “blast radius” if a token is compromised.
Zone Specificity: Wherever possible, restrict API tokens to specific zones domains rather than “All zones.”
Expiration Dates: Set expiration dates for API tokens, especially for temporary or one-off tasks. This ensures tokens automatically become invalid after a certain period, reducing long-term exposure.
Secure Storage: Never hardcode API tokens directly into scripts or commit them to version control.
- Local Use: Store them securely in your ~/.cloudflare/config.json via cf login.
- CI/CD: Use your CI/CD platform’s secret management features e.g., GitHub Secrets, GitLab CI/CD Variables. These encrypt tokens and inject them as environment variables during runtime.
Regular Audits: Periodically review your API tokens in the Cloudflare dashboard. Revoke any unused, expired, or overly permissive tokens.
Avoid Global API Key: As mentioned, the Global API Key grants full control over your entire account. It should never be used for automated tasks and ideally only for initial setup or very specific manual operations that require it. If you must use it, do so with extreme caution and revoke it immediately after use.

Version Control and Scripting

For any automated tasks using the cf CLI, treat your scripts like code.

Version Control Git: Store all your cf automation scripts in a version control system like Git. This allows for:
- History: Track changes to your scripts.
- Collaboration: Work with a team on automation.
- Rollbacks: Revert to previous working versions if an issue arises.
Clear Documentation: Document your scripts. Explain what they do, what permissions they require, how to run them, and any dependencies.
Idempotency: Design scripts to be idempotent. This means running the same script multiple times should yield the same result without causing unintended side effects e.g., not creating duplicate DNS records if they already exist.
Error Handling: Implement robust error handling in your scripts. Check the exit codes of cf commands and log errors. Use set -e in bash scripts to exit immediately if any command fails.
Logging: Ensure your scripts log their actions and results. This is crucial for auditing, debugging, and understanding what happened during an automated run.

Testing and Staging Environments

Test Before Production: Never deploy new cf CLI scripts directly to production. Always test them thoroughly in a staging or non-production environment.
Dedicated Test Zones: Consider setting up dedicated Cloudflare zones specifically for testing your automation scripts. These zones should ideally mirror your production setup but without impacting live services.
Simulate Modes: For security features like Firewall Rules or Rate Limiting, utilize their simulate action mode first. This allows you to log what would happen without actually blocking or challenging traffic.

Rate Limits and API Usage

Be Mindful of Limits: Cloudflare imposes API rate limits to ensure fair usage and protect its infrastructure. While these are usually generous, continuous, rapid-fire API calls can hit limits.
Introduce Delays: For scripts making many sequential API calls, introduce small delays sleep command between calls to stay within limits.
Batch Operations: Use cf commands that support batch operations e.g., purging multiple URLs with a single command instead of iterating and making individual API calls where possible.
Monitor API Usage: Cloudflare provides API usage analytics in the dashboard. Keep an eye on these if you run many automated tasks.

Staying Updated

Update cf CLI Regularly: Cloudflare frequently updates the cf CLI and wrangler with new features, bug fixes, and performance improvements. Regularly update your CLI version to benefit from these enhancements.
- brew upgrade cloudflared macOS
- npm update -g cloudflare-cli Node.js/npm
- Check the official GitHub releases page for manual downloads.
Follow Cloudflare Announcements: Stay informed about new Cloudflare features, especially those related to the CLI, Workers, and Pages, by following Cloudflare’s blog and announcements.

By diligently applying these best practices, you can maximize the utility of the Cloudflare cf CLI while maintaining a secure, efficient, and reliable management workflow for your online assets.

This approach aligns with the principles of proactive management and responsible use of powerful digital tools.

Comparing `cf` CLI with Cloudflare Dashboard and API

Understanding the nuances of when to use the cf CLI versus the Cloudflare dashboard or direct API calls is crucial for optimizing your workflow. Each method has its strengths and ideal use cases.

While the cf CLI offers powerful automation, it’s not always the sole solution.

As of 2023, 75% of developers globally prefer CLI tools for automation, but the remaining 25% still rely on GUIs or direct API interactions for various reasons, indicating a need for a balanced approach.

Cloudflare Dashboard GUI

The Cloudflare dashboard is the web-based graphical user interface GUI for managing your Cloudflare account.

Strengths:
- User-Friendly: Most intuitive for beginners and for performing one-off tasks.
- Visual Overview: Provides a clear, visual representation of your configurations, analytics, and security events.
- Guided Setup: Excellent for initial zone setup, onboarding, and configuring complex features with multiple interdependencies.
- Troubleshooting Visuals: Often presents security logs, analytics, and error diagnostics in an easy-to-digest visual format.
- Discoverability: New features are often introduced and best explored via the dashboard first.
Weaknesses:
- Manual and Repetitive: Not efficient for repetitive tasks or bulk operations.
- Lack of Automation: Cannot be integrated into CI/CD pipelines or scripts directly.
- Slower for Bulk Edits: Making changes across many DNS records or zones is tedious and time-consuming.
- Limited Scripting: No native scripting capabilities.
When to Use:
- Initial Setup: Onboarding a new domain, configuring first-time settings.
- Learning/Exploration: Understanding new features, exploring settings.
- Troubleshooting: Visually inspecting logs, analytics, and security events.
- One-off Tasks: A quick DNS change, enabling a single setting.
- Billing/Account Management: Features related to subscriptions, invoices, and user management.

Cloudflare `cf` CLI

The cf CLI is a command-line interface tool that wraps common Cloudflare API functionalities.

*   Automation: Ideal for scripting repetitive tasks, bulk operations, and integrating into CI/CD.
*   Efficiency: Faster for experienced users to execute commands once familiar with the syntax.
*   Consistency: Ensures configuration consistency across multiple environments or zones through scripts.
*   Reproducibility: Scripts can be version-controlled, making deployments and configurations reproducible.
*   Offline Management Partially: You can prepare scripts offline and execute them when ready.
*   Learning Curve: Requires familiarity with command-line operations and specific `cf` command syntax.
*   Less Visual: No graphical representation, making it harder to get a quick overview or visualize relationships between settings.
*   Limited for Complex Interactions: Some advanced configurations or deep API interactions might require direct API calls if not fully supported by `cf`.
*   Dependency on System: Requires installation and proper environment setup.
*   CI/CD Pipelines: Automated deployments of Workers, Pages, or static assets.
*   Bulk Operations: Managing hundreds of DNS records, purging cache for many URLs.
*   Routine Maintenance: Daily or weekly tasks like log rotation, specific cache purges.
*   Dynamic Configurations: Updating DNS based on changing IPs, automatically adjusting security rules.
*   Ad-hoc Scripting: Quick scripts to query data or perform specific actions not easily done in the dashboard.

Cloudflare API Direct HTTP Requests

The Cloudflare API is the underlying RESTful interface that both the dashboard and cf CLI interact with.

You can make direct HTTP requests to this API using tools like curl, Postman, or programming language SDKs.

*   Ultimate Control: Provides access to every single Cloudflare feature and setting exposed via an API.
*   Maximum Flexibility: Allows for highly custom and complex integrations that might not be directly supported by the `cf` CLI.
*   Language Agnostic: Can be integrated into any programming language.
*   Advanced Querying: Perform complex queries and filters that might not be available in CLI commands.
*   Complexity: Requires understanding HTTP requests, JSON payloads, authentication headers, and API documentation.
*   More Development Effort: Higher effort to implement compared to using the CLI.
*   Error Handling: Requires custom error handling logic in your code.
*   Verbosity: Raw API responses can be lengthy and require parsing.
*   Custom Integrations: Building custom applications, microservices, or backend systems that interact deeply with Cloudflare.
*   Uncommon Operations: Performing actions not exposed by the `cf` CLI.
*   Specific SDK Use: Leveraging Cloudflare's official SDKs e.g., `cloudflare-go`, `cloudflare-python` in your applications.
*   Large-Scale Automation: When the CLI's abstraction layer is too restrictive for very specific or high-volume automated tasks.
*   Debugging API Issues: When `--debug` in `cf` CLI isn't enough, directly inspecting API requests and responses.

Conclusion: A Synergistic Approach

In practice, the most effective approach often involves a combination of all three.

Use the Dashboard for initial setup, visual monitoring, and casual one-off changes.
Leverage the cf CLI for routine automation, bulk operations, and integration into CI/CD pipelines.
Resort to Direct API calls or SDKs for highly custom integrations, complex scenarios, or when the CLI doesn’t offer the specific functionality you need.

By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each tool, you can make informed decisions that optimize your Cloudflare management workflow, leading to increased efficiency, better security, and more robust deployments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Cloudflare `cf` CLI?

The Cloudflare cf CLI is the official command-line interface tool provided by Cloudflare that allows users to interact with their Cloudflare accounts and manage services like DNS, cache, Workers, and Pages directly from the terminal.

How do I install the `cf` CLI?

You can install the cf CLI using package managers like Homebrew on macOS brew install cloudflare/cloudflare/cloudflared, npm globally npm install -g cloudflare-cli, or by downloading binaries from the Cloudflare CLI GitHub releases page for Linux and Windows.

How do I authenticate the `cf` CLI with my Cloudflare account?

Yes, you authenticate by running cf login and then providing a Cloudflare API Token.

It is highly recommended to use API Tokens with granular permissions rather than your Global API Key for security reasons.

What is the difference between `cf` and `wrangler`?

cf is Cloudflare’s general-purpose CLI for managing various Cloudflare services DNS, cache, zones, etc., while wrangler is the dedicated, official CLI specifically for Cloudflare Workers and Cloudflare Pages development and deployment, offering more specialized features like local development and advanced project setup.

Can I manage DNS records with `cf` CLI?

Yes, you can extensively manage DNS records using the cf CLI.

Commands like cf dns records list, cf dns records create, cf dns records update, and cf dns records delete allow you to fully control your domain’s DNS entries.

How do I purge Cloudflare cache using the `cf` CLI?

You can purge cache using cf cache purge <YOUR_DOMAIN>. Use --all to purge everything, --url <URL> for specific URLs, --prefix <URL_PREFIX> for URL paths, or --tag <TAG_NAME> for cache tags.

Is it safe to use the Global API Key with `cf` CLI?

No, it is highly discouraged to use the Global API Key due to its security implications.

It grants full access to your entire Cloudflare account.

Always use API Tokens with the least privilege necessary.

How can I automate `cf` CLI commands in scripts?

You can automate cf CLI commands by embedding them in Bash scripts, Python scripts, or integrating them into CI/CD pipelines e.g., GitHub Actions, GitLab CI. Use the --json flag and jq for programmatic output parsing.

How do I deploy Cloudflare Workers with the `cf` CLI?

For Cloudflare Workers, the recommended tool for deployment is wrangler. After installing wrangler, navigate to your Worker project directory and run wrangler deploy to deploy your Worker.

Can I deploy Cloudflare Pages using the `cf` CLI?

Yes, you can deploy Cloudflare Pages using wrangler pages deploy <BUILD_DIRECTORY> --project-name <PROJECT_NAME>. This is useful for direct uploads or custom CI/CD, though Git integration is the primary Pages workflow.

What is the `--json` flag used for?

The --json flag changes the output format of cf commands from a human-readable table to machine-readable JSON.

This is crucial for scripting and parsing command results programmatically, often used in conjunction with jq.

How can I troubleshoot `cf` CLI issues?

You can use the --verbose and --debug flags to get more detailed output, including raw API requests and responses, which can help diagnose problems.

Also, ensure your API token has correct permissions and check for typos.

How do I find my Cloudflare Zone ID using the CLI?

You can find your Zone ID using cf zone list --name <YOUR_DOMAIN> --json | jq -r '..id'. This command lists zones and extracts the ID for your specified domain.

Does `cf` CLI support managing Firewall Rules?

Yes, the cf CLI allows you to list, create, update, and delete Cloudflare Firewall Rules using commands like cf firewall rules list and cf firewall rules create.

Can I manage Cloudflare Rate Limiting with `cf` CLI?

Yes, you can manage Rate Limiting rules.

Commands like cf rate-limits list and cf rate-limits create allow you to configure these rules to protect your origin from excessive requests.

How do I update the `cf` CLI to the latest version?

The update method depends on how you installed it.

If via Homebrew, run brew upgrade cloudflared. If via npm, run npm update -g cloudflare-cli. For manual installations, download the latest binary.

Can I use `cf` CLI to configure SSL/TLS settings?

Yes, you can adjust basic SSL/TLS settings, such as the SSL mode e.g., “flexible”, “full”, “strict” using cf zone settings set <YOUR_DOMAIN> ssl "full".

What should I do if my `cf` CLI script hits API rate limits?

If your script hits API rate limits e.g., 429 Too Many Requests, implement delays sleep command between API calls, especially in loops. Consider batching operations where possible.

Is there a way to test Cloudflare Workers locally before deploying?

Yes, wrangler the Worker CLI provides wrangler dev to run your Cloudflare Worker locally, allowing for rapid iteration and testing without deployment.

Where are `cf` CLI API tokens stored locally?

After cf login, your API token is typically stored securely in ~/.cloudflare/config.json on Linux/macOS or %USERPROFILE%\.cloudflare\config.json on Windows.

This file should be protected with appropriate file permissions.

0.0

0.0 out of 5 stars (based on 0 reviews)

Excellent0%

Very good0%

Average0%

Poor0%

Terrible0%

There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.

Amazon.com: Check Amazon for Cloudflare cf
Latest Discussions & Reviews:

Cloudflare cf

Understanding the Cloudflare cf CLI

Why Use the cf CLI?

Key Features of the cf CLI

Installing and Authenticating the Cloudflare cf CLI

Installation Steps

Authentication Methods

Managing DNS Records with cf

Listing DNS Records

Adding New DNS Records

Updating Existing DNS Records

Deleting DNS Records

Purging Cloudflare Cache with cf

Purging All Cache for a Zone

Purging Specific URLs

Purging by Hostname, Prefix, or Tag

Deploying Cloudflare Workers and Pages with cf

Cloudflare Workers Deployment

Using wrangler Official Worker CLI

Why wrangler over cf for Workers?

Cloudflare Pages Deployment

Using wrangler for Pages Deployment

Pages Integration with Git Primary Workflow

Configuring Cloudflare Security Settings with cf

Managing Web Application Firewall WAF Settings

Configuring Firewall Rules

Managing Rate Limiting Rules

SSL/TLS Configuration Basic

To list current SSL mode

To set SSL mode to Full

Automating Cloudflare Tasks with cf and Scripting

Bash Scripting for Daily Operations

List of URLs to purge

Get current public IP

Get existing DNS record info

Integrating with CI/CD Pipelines

Best Practices for Scripting with cf

Advanced cf CLI Techniques and Troubleshooting

Using --json and jq for Programmatic Output

Debugging with --verbose and --debug

Specifying Account and Zone IDs Directly

Handling API Rate Limits

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Important Considerations and Best Practices

Security First: API Token Management

Version Control and Scripting

Testing and Staging Environments

Rate Limits and API Usage

Staying Updated

Comparing cf CLI with Cloudflare Dashboard and API

Cloudflare Dashboard GUI

Cloudflare cf CLI

Cloudflare API Direct HTTP Requests

Conclusion: A Synergistic Approach

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Cloudflare cf CLI?

How do I install the cf CLI?

How do I authenticate the cf CLI with my Cloudflare account?

What is the difference between cf and wrangler?

Can I manage DNS records with cf CLI?

How do I purge Cloudflare cache using the cf CLI?

Is it safe to use the Global API Key with cf CLI?

How can I automate cf CLI commands in scripts?

How do I deploy Cloudflare Workers with the cf CLI?

Can I deploy Cloudflare Pages using the cf CLI?

What is the --json flag used for?

How can I troubleshoot cf CLI issues?