> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.zirkul.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.zirkul.com/zirkul-agent/running-the-agent.md).

# Running the Agent

Zirkul Agent can be used for several tasks including:

* **Stand alone tool:** for security tasks such as manually running scans or commands taking advantage fo the plugins available.
* **Webhook Trigger**: for starting CICD jobs.
* **Service mode**: for running as a system service within your infrastructure for executing Jobs created for CICD pipelines.

### Stand alone

Zirkul Agent was initially designed as a command line tool for security automation, you can simply run zirkul from terminal for starting the interactive command line interface:

```bash
zirkul
```

<figure><img src="/files/sQnsZsS70gFThDFGx2iI" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

See more in [Command Line Interface](/zirkul-agent/running-the-agent/command-line-interface.md)

### Webhook Trigger

You can use the Agent for calling webhooks used for starting Jobs in Zirkul Server:

```sh
zirkul --apikey "<api_key>" --webhook "<token>" --agent "<agent_key>" --wait
```

Where:

* \<api\_key> is the API Key created in Zirkul Server.
* \<token> is the webhook token id assigned to the Job you want to run. see [Creating Jobs](/devsecops/creating-jobs.md)
* \<agent\_key> is the Agent name or key you want to assign.

Note:

* \--server is optional, the default value is '<https://app.zirkul.com>'
* \--webhook is required for calling a web hook.
* \--apikey is required for calling a web hook.
* \--agent is required for calling a web hook.
* \--wait is optional, use this if you want the agent to wait until the Job is completed.

### Service Mode

Service mode is used for running the agent as system service that will continue running continuously waiting for Jobs to be executed.

```sh
zirkul --server "https://app.zirkul.com" --service --agent "<agent_key>" --apikey "<api_key>"
```

Where:

* \<api\_key> is the API Key created in Zirkul Server.
* \<agent\_key> is the Agent name or key you want to assign.

Note:

* \--server is optional, the default value is '<https://app.zirkul.com>'
* \--service is required for running in service mode.
* \--apikey is required for running in service mode.
* \--agent is required for running in service mode.