> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cloakedkeys.gitbook.io/ofsc/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cloakedkeys.gitbook.io/ofsc/command-reference/metadata-check-mode-options.md).

# Metadata Check Mode Options

> ℹ️ **Metadata Mode inherits mosts options from the main/scraper mode, with a few options removed because they don't make sense outside of downloading**

***

> ℹ️ **without --force-all or --force-model-unique media will be filter to only those that are set as not downloaded in the database**

## Syntax

```
ofscraper metadata [options]
```

### example

```
ofscraper metadata --metadata check
```

## General Options

[General Program Options](/ofsc/command-reference/shared-options/common-option-groups.md)

[Shared Scrape and Metadata Check Mode Options](/ofsc/command-reference/shared-options/scrape-metadata-options.md)

## Options

### -md, --metadata \[argument]

The `--metadata` argument is used to specify how metadata mode updates the db

**Available Modes:**

* **check** - Updates metadata fields for the specified area via an API. This option does not check for new filenames.
* **update** - This mode performs two actions:
  1. Updates download status and filenames based on the presence of actual files.
  2. Updates metadata fields for the specified area via an API.
* **complete** - Marks the download as complete and updates metadata fields via an API. It also uses a new filename if one is available

### -ms, --mark-stray-locked (also `--mark-stray`)

Marks unmatched media items as locked.

**Details:**

* This flag is designed to identify and manage media items retrieved using the `--after` and `--before` options (date range filtering) that cannot be retrieved again through the API (potentially due to deletion).
* Media items with labels are excluded from being marked as locked.
* Locking is applied on a per-API type basis, Timeline, Archived Posts, and Messages
* This has no effect if --scrape-paid is the only argument

**Use Case:**

Use this option to manage media items that aren't retrievable via the APIs. Marking them as locked prevents main scraper from using these items to set the minimum date

> ℹ️ `-ms` is also the short form of `--mass-skip` in this command. Use the long name `--mark-stray-locked` to be sure which one you get.

### -an, --anon

Uses anonymous credentials. Requires `--usernames` with a name other than `ALL`, forces `--individual` search and removes `--list`. Most media is ignored.

***

### -sp, --scrape-paid \[argument]

The `--scrape-paid` argument is used to specify how metadata mode updates the db, for scrape paid content

**Fork:** models named with `--excluded-username` are skipped. See [`--excluded-username`](/ofsc/command-reference/shared-options/scrape-metadata-options/user-selection-options.md).

The options are the same as --metadata

* **check** - Updates metadata fields for the specified area via an API. This option does not check for new filenames.
* **update** - This mode performs two actions:
  1. Updates download status and filenames based on the presence of actual files.
  2. Updates metadata fields for the specified area via an API.
* **complete** - Marks the download as complete and updates metadata fields via an API. It also uses a new filename if one is available

**Available Modes:**

* **check** - Updates metadata fields for the specified area via an API. This option does not check for new filenames.
* **update** - This mode performs two actions:
  1. Updates download status and filenames based on the presence of actual files.
  2. Updates metadata fields for the specified area via an API.
* **complete** - Marks the download as complete and updates metadata fields via an API. It also uses a new filename if one is available


---

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