# black > A Python auto code formatter. > More information: . - Auto-format a file or entire directory: `black {{path/to/file_or_directory}}` - Format the code passed in as a string: `black -c {{path/to/file_or_directory}}` - Output a diff for each file on stdout: `black --diff {{path/to/file_or_directory}}` - Return the status without writing the files back: `black --check {{path/to/file_or_directory}}` - Auto-format a file or directory emitting exclusively error messages to stderr: `black --quiet {{path/to/file_or_directory}}`