What is the difference between diff and dump in Betaflight CLI?

diff shows only settings that differ from Betaflight defaults, making it compact and ideal for backups before firmware upgrades. dump shows every single setting including unchanged defaults — much longer output, used for deep debugging.

How do I back up my Betaflight configuration before flashing firmware?

Go to the CLI tab, type 'diff all', copy the entire output, and save it to a text file. After flashing new firmware, paste the output back into the CLI and type 'save' to restore your configuration.

Can I remap a burned motor pad using Betaflight CLI?

Yes. Use the 'resource' command to list pin assignments, then reassign the motor to an unused pin with 'resource MOTOR X PIN', followed by 'save'. This is one of the most powerful CLI features for hardware recovery.

What are community presets and how do I apply them via CLI?

Community presets are pre-configured tuning settings distributed as diff snippets. Simply copy the preset text, paste it into the Betaflight CLI, and type 'save'. They cover everything from filter settings to full PID tunes.

Betaflight CLI Commands Guide: diff, dump, resource remapping, and custom defaults

# Betaflight CLI Commands Guide: diff, dump, resource remapping, and custom defaults

If you have ever needed to back up your FPV drone configuration, remap a motor resource, or apply a custom setup without redoing everything in the GUI, the Betaflight Command Line Interface (CLI) is your most powerful tool. This guide explains the essential CLI commands every FPV pilot should know.

## Why the Betaflight CLI Matters

The Betaflight Configurator GUI is excellent for visual tuning, but the CLI gives you absolute control. You can copy an entire configuration, restore it after a firmware flash, remap hardware resources, and apply community presets that go beyond the sliders. Understanding these commands saves you hours of manual reconfiguration.

## Essential CLI Commands

### diff — Your Configuration Snapshot

The `diff` command prints only the settings that differ from the Betaflight firmware defaults. This is the standard way to back up your configuration before flashing new firmware.

“`
# Enter CLI and type:
diff
“`

Copy the entire output and save it to a text file. After flashing new firmware, paste the `diff` output back into the CLI and type `save` — your drone is back to its previous state.

### diff all — Complete Custom Settings

`diff all` outputs everything `diff` does plus profile-specific settings (PIDs, rates, filters). Use this when you want a complete backup including all tuning work.

### dump — The Complete Picture

`dump` prints every single setting, including unchanged defaults. The output is very long — use it only for deep debugging or when sharing your full setup with a technical support community.

### resource — Hardware Remapping

When you burn a motor pad or need to reassign a UART, resource remapping is your fix:

“`
resource
“`

This lists every pin assignment. To remap Motor 1 to a different pin:

“`
resource MOTOR 1 B08
save
“`

This is critical for AIO boards where a burned ESC pad doesn’t mean throwing away the whole board.

## Applying Community Presets via CLI

Many advanced presets from the Betaflight community (like UAV Tech’s filter presets) are distributed as `diff` or `dump` snippets. Simply paste them into the CLI and type `save`.

## Pro Tips

– **Always run `diff all` before flashing firmware.** It takes 10 seconds and saves hours.
– **Use `defaults` command** to reset everything to factory — useful when troubleshooting.
– **`status`** shows CPU load, I2C errors, and loop time — perfect for diagnosing performance issues.
– **`tasks`** reveals how much CPU each feature consumes.

## Recommended Hardware

When working with CLI resource remapping, a flight controller with clearly labeled, durable pads makes life much easier. The latest F7 and H7 controllers from [uavmodel.com](https://uavmodel.com) feature well-documented pinouts and spare UARTs that give you flexibility when remapping is needed.

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