---
title: ES|QL query directives
description: An ES|QL directive is an instruction that defines query settings and general behavior. Directives are specified at the beginning of an ES|QL query, before...
url: https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3016/reference/query-languages/esql/commands/directives
products:
  - Elasticsearch
applies_to:
  - Elastic Cloud Serverless: Generally available
  - Elastic Stack: Generally available
---

# ES|QL query directives
An ES|QL directive is an instruction that defines query settings and general behavior.
Directives are specified at the beginning of an ES|QL query, before the source command,
and are separated by semicolons. Multiple directives can be included in a single query.
ES|QL supports these directives:
- [`SET`](https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3016/reference/query-languages/esql/commands/set) <applies-to>Elastic Stack: Preview in 9.3</applies-to>