---
title: ES|QL commands
description: ES|QL queries are built from the following building blocks: Optionally, start with query directives to define query settings and general behavior.Every...
url: https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3028/reference/query-languages/esql/esql-commands
products:
  - Elasticsearch
applies_to:
  - Elastic Cloud Serverless: Generally available
  - Elastic Stack: Generally available
---

# ES|QL commands
ES|QL queries are built from the following building blocks:
- Optionally, start with [query directives](https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3028/reference/query-languages/esql/commands/directives) to define query settings and general behavior.
- Every query must include a [source command](https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3028/reference/query-languages/esql/commands/source-commands).
- Use [processing commands](https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3028/reference/query-languages/esql/commands/processing-commands) to modify an input table by adding, removing, or transforming rows and columns.