# `split`

## Introduction

The `split` command takes an API description file and creates a [multi-file structure](https://redocly.com/docs/resources/multi-file-definitions/) out of it by extracting referenced parts into standalone, separate files. Code samples, components, and paths are split from the root API description into separate files and folders. The structure of the unbundled directory corresponds to the structure created by our [openapi-starter](https://github.com/Redocly/openapi-starter) tool. The advantage of this approach is making smaller files that are easier to manage and a structure that makes reviewing simpler.

Use the [`bundle`](/docs/cli/commands/bundle) command and supply the main file as the entrypoint to get your OpenAPI description in one file. Many OpenAPI tools prefer a single file, but `split` and `bundle` allow you to manage your files easily for development, and then prepare a single file for other tools to consume.

OpenAPI 3.x only
The `split` command doesn't support OpenAPI 2.0 descriptions.

## Usage


```bash
redocly split <api> --outDir=<path>
redocly split [--help] [--version]
redocly split --version
```

## Options

| Option | Type | Description |
|  --- | --- | --- |
| api | string | **REQUIRED.** Path to the API description file that you want to split into a multi-file structure. |
| --config | string | Specify path to the [configuration file](/docs/cli/configuration). |
| --help | boolean | Show help. |
| --lint-config | string | Specify the severity level for the configuration file.  **Possible values:** `warn`, `error`, `off`. Default value is `warn`. |
| --outDir | string | **REQUIRED.** Path to the directory where you want to save the split files. If the specified directory doesn't exist, it is created automatically. |
| --separator | string | File path separator used while splitting. The default value is `_`. This controls the file names generated in the `paths` folder (e.g. `/users/create` path becomes `user_create.yaml`). |
| --version | boolean | Show version number. |


## Examples

### View successful split message

This `split` command "unbundles" the specified API description, as defined in `pet.yaml`, into the `openapi` output directory:


```bash
redocly split pet.yaml --outDir=openapi
```

A confirmation message is displayed with a successful split:

pre

Document: pet.yaml is successfully split
 and all related files are saved to the directory: openapi

pet.yaml: split processed in 33ms