# Semrush CLI > SEMrush keyword research, domain analytics, backlinks, and competitive intelligence via the local semrush CLI tool Use when this capability is needed. - Skill: `tomevault-io/semrush-cli` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/semrush-cli` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/semrush-cli/raw - Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS) - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Data & Analytics - Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io) - Updated: 2026-09-17 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/semrush-cli --- # SEMrush CLI (Local) Fast keyword research, domain analytics, backlinks, traffic analysis, and competitive intelligence using the locally installed `semrush` CLI. This CLI is built from the unified semrush-mcp repo and shares the same API client as the MCP server. ## Arguments $ARGUMENTS - A keyword, domain, or command to run (e.g., "seo tools", "example.com", "kw seo --related") - If blank, will prompt for a target ## Prerequisites The CLI is installed globally from the semrush-mcp repo. Verify it's available: ```bash semrush --version ``` Ensure `SEMRUSH_API_KEY` is set in your environment or `.env` file. ## Available Commands ### 1. Quick Overview Auto-detects whether the target is a keyword or domain and returns the appropriate overview. ```bash semrush q "seo tools" # Keyword overview semrush q example.com # Domain overview semrush quick "content marketing" -d uk # Specify database ``` Options: - `-d, --database `: Country database code (default: us) - `-f, --format `: Output format — text or json (default: text) ### 2. Keyword Research In-depth keyword analysis with multiple sub-commands. ```bash # Basic keyword overview semrush kw "content marketing" # Related keywords semrush kw "seo" --related -l 20 # Question-based keywords semrush kw "marketing" --questions -l 10 # Broad match keywords semrush kw "email marketing" --broad -l 15 # SERP organic results (who ranks for this keyword) semrush kw "seo tools" --organic -l 10 # SERP paid results semrush kw "ppc software" --paid -l 10 ``` Options: - `--related`: Get related keywords - `--questions`: Get question-based keyword variations - `--broad`: Get broad match keywords - `--organic`: Get organic SERP results for the keyword - `--paid`: Get paid SERP results for the keyword - `-d, --database `: Country database code (default: us) - `-l, --limit `: Number of results to return - `-f, --format `: Output format — text or json (default: text) ### 3. Batch Keyword Difficulty Analyze difficulty scores for multiple keywords at once. ```bash semrush kd "seo" "content marketing" "link building" semrush kd "keyword1" "keyword2" "keyword3" -d uk ``` Options: - `-d, --database `: Country database code (default: us) - `-f, --format `: Output format — text or json (default: text) ### 4. Domain Analytics Comprehensive domain analysis with multiple views. ```bash # Domain overview semrush d semrush.com semrush domain example.com # Organic keywords the domain ranks for semrush d example.com --organic -l 30 # Paid keywords the domain bids on semrush d example.com --paid -l 20 # Organic search competitors semrush d example.com --competitors -l 10 ``` Options: - `--organic`: Get organic keywords for the domain - `--paid`: Get paid keywords for the domain - `--competitors`: Get organic search competitors - `-d, --database `: Country database code (default: us) - `-l, --limit `: Number of results to return - `-f, --format `: Output format — text or json (default: text) ### 5. Backlinks Backlink analysis for domains and URLs. ```bash # Backlink overview semrush bl example.com semrush backlinks example.com # Referring domains semrush bl example.com --domains -l 20 ``` Options: - `--domains`: Get referring domains instead of individual backlinks - `-l, --limit `: Number of results to return - `-f, --format `: Output format — text or json (default: text) ### 6. Traffic Analytics Traffic data for domains (requires .Trends subscription). ```bash # Traffic summary semrush traffic example.com # Traffic sources breakdown semrush traffic example.com --sources ``` Options: - `--sources`: Get traffic sources breakdown - `--country `: Country filter (default: us) - `-f, --format `: Output format — text or json (default: text) ### 7. Keyword Gap Analysis Find keyword opportunities by comparing two domains. ```bash semrush gaps mysite.com competitor.com -l 50 semrush gaps mysite.com competitor.com -d uk -l 30 ``` Options: - `-d, --database `: Country database code (default: us) - `-l, --limit `: Number of results to return - `-f, --format `: Output format — text or json (default: text) ### 8. API Units Balance Check remaining API units on your account. ```bash semrush units ``` ## Process ### Step 1: Understand the request Determine what kind of research the user wants: - **Quick lookup**: Use `semrush q` for fast overview of a keyword or domain - **Keyword deep-dive**: Use `semrush kw` with appropriate flags - **Domain analysis**: Use `semrush d` with appropriate flags - **Competitive intel**: Use `semrush d --competitors` or `semrush gaps` - **Backlink audit**: Use `semrush bl` - **Traffic check**: Use `semrush traffic` ### Step 2: Run the appropriate command Based on $ARGUMENTS, construct and execute the right command. Always use `-f text` for human-readable output unless the user specifically wants JSON. ### Step 3: Present findings Summarize results clearly: **Overview:** Brief summary of key metrics **Key Data Points:** - Volume, difficulty, CPC for keywords - Traffic, keyword count, competitors for domains - Authority, referring domains for backlinks **Insights:** Actionable observations based on the data ## Global Options All commands support these flags: - `-d, --database `: Country/database code (default: us). Codes: us, uk, ca, au, de, fr, es, it, br, mx, in, jp, etc. - `-l, --limit `: Number of results to return - `-f, --format `: Output format — text (colorized tables) or json (raw data, pipe to jq) ## Example Usage ### Research a keyword and its competition ```bash semrush kw "project management software" --related -l 20 semrush kw "project management software" --organic -l 10 semrush kd "project management" "task management" "team collaboration" ``` ### Audit a competitor domain ```bash semrush d competitor.com semrush d competitor.com --organic -l 50 semrush d competitor.com --competitors -l 10 semrush bl competitor.com --domains -l 20 ``` ### Find keyword gaps ```bash semrush gaps mysite.com competitor.com -l 100 ``` ### Quick lookups ```bash semrush q "best crm software" semrush q hubspot.com semrush units ``` ## API Units Different API calls consume different amounts of units per line returned: | Operation | Units/Line | |-----------|-----------| | Keyword overview | 10 | | Batch keyword overview | 10 | | Keyword organic results | 10 | | Keyword paid results | 20 | | Related keywords | 40 | | Keyword ads history | 100 | | Broad match keywords | 20 | | Phrase questions | 40 | | Keyword difficulty | 50 | Check your balance anytime with `semrush units`. --- > Source: [mrkooblu/semrush-mcp](https://github.com/mrkooblu/semrush-mcp) — distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io).