# Download a Dataset

If your project has a saved version, you can download the images and annotations for that version using the command line.

## Command

```bash
roboflow version download <workspace/project/version> -f <format> -l <location>
```

Or use the shorthand alias:

```bash
roboflow download <workspace/project/version> -f <format> -l <location>
```

Where:

* `<format>` is one of the supported dataset formats (like `voc`, `yolov8`, `coco`, `darknet`, etc). Run `roboflow version download --help` for the full list.
* `<location>` is the local path to download to (optional — defaults to current directory)
* The dataset URL uses [resource shorthand](/developer/command-line-interface/using-the-cli.md#resource-shorthand): `workspace/project/version`, `project/version`, or just specify `-p project` and a version number.

## Examples

Download a dataset version in VOC format:

```bash
roboflow download -f voc -l ./my-dataset my-workspace/hand-gestures/1
```

Download using project shorthand (uses your default workspace):

```bash
roboflow download -f yolov8 hand-gestures/1
```

Download publicly available datasets from [Roboflow Universe](https://universe.roboflow.com):

```bash
roboflow download -f coco joseph-nelson/chess-pieces-new/25
```

## JSON Output

For scripting and automation, use `--json` to get structured output:

```bash
roboflow download hand-gestures/1 -f yolov8 --json
```

```json
{
  "workspace": "my-workspace",
  "project": "hand-gestures",
  "version": 1,
  "format": "yolov8",
  "location": "./hand-gestures-1"
}
```


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.roboflow.com/developer/command-line-interface/download-a-dataset.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.