The def_file is the provisioning document used to add a component or host to the implementation.

You can use a file that specifies exactly one component or host, or a file that includes multiple entries. If you use a larger provisioning file, you must specify which of the listed components or hosts you wish to add.

For example, say you want to add a host called new_host to your application. You could add provisioning information for new_host to your existing provisioning file, AppConfig.xml. When you run the add-host command, you pass in the host name as well as the file name.

In the case of scripts, you have two options: you can use a def_file, as you do with components and hosts, or you can provide the necessary information individually, through the --cmd (command), --wd (working directory), and --log-file settings.