diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 742ed55d..6667db8e 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 # Unreleased
 
 * feat: Add `--proxy` to `icp canister` subcommands and `icp deploy` to route management canister calls through a proxy canister
+* feat: Add `--args`, `--args-file`, and `--args-format` flags to `icp deploy` to pass install arguments at the command line, overriding `init_args` in the manifest
 
 # v0.2.2
 
diff --git a/crates/icp-cli/src/commands/args.rs b/crates/icp-cli/src/commands/args.rs
index 62836fd9..82f66e8c 100644
--- a/crates/icp-cli/src/commands/args.rs
+++ b/crates/icp-cli/src/commands/args.rs
@@ -1,11 +1,15 @@
 use std::fmt::Display;
 use std::str::FromStr;
 
+use anyhow::{Context as _, bail};
 use candid::Principal;
 use clap::Args;
 use ic_ledger_types::AccountIdentifier;
 use icp::context::{CanisterSelection, EnvironmentSelection, NetworkSelection};
 use icp::identity::IdentitySelection;
+use icp::manifest::ArgsFormat;
+use icp::prelude::PathBuf;
+use icp::{InitArgs, fs};
 use icrc_ledger_types::icrc1::account::Account;
 
 use crate::options::{EnvironmentOpt, IdentityOpt, NetworkOpt};
@@ -204,6 +208,82 @@ impl Display for FlexibleAccountId {
     }
 }
 
+/// Grouped flags for specifying canister install arguments, shared by `canister install`, and `deploy`.
+#[derive(Args, Clone, Debug, Default)]
+pub(crate) struct ArgsOpt {
+    /// Inline arguments, interpreted per `--args-format` (Candid by default).
+    #[arg(long, conflicts_with = "args_file")]
+    pub(crate) args: Option<String>,
+
+    /// Path to a file containing arguments.
+    #[arg(long, conflicts_with = "args")]
+    pub(crate) args_file: Option<PathBuf>,
+
+    /// Format of the arguments.
+    #[arg(long, default_value = "candid")]
+    pub(crate) args_format: ArgsFormat,
+}
+
+impl ArgsOpt {
+    /// Returns whether any args were provided via CLI flags.
+    pub(crate) fn is_some(&self) -> bool {
+        self.args.is_some() || self.args_file.is_some()
+    }
+
+    /// Resolve CLI args to raw bytes, reading files as needed.
+    /// Returns `None` if no args were provided.
+    pub(crate) fn resolve_bytes(&self) -> Result<Option<Vec<u8>>, anyhow::Error> {
+        load_args(
+            self.args.as_deref(),
+            self.args_file.as_ref(),
+            &self.args_format,
+            "--args",
+        )?
+        .as_ref()
+        .map(|ia| ia.to_bytes().context("failed to encode args"))
+        .transpose()
+    }
+}
+
+/// Load args from an inline value or a file, returning the intermediate [`InitArgs`]
+/// representation. Returns `None` if neither was provided.
+///
+/// `inline_arg_name` is used in the error message when `--args-format bin` is given
+/// with an inline value (e.g. `"--args"` or `"a positional argument"`).
+pub(crate) fn load_args(
+    inline_value: Option<&str>,
+    args_file: Option<&PathBuf>,
+    args_format: &ArgsFormat,
+    inline_arg_name: &str,
+) -> Result<Option<InitArgs>, anyhow::Error> {
+    match (inline_value, args_file) {
+        (Some(value), None) => {
+            if *args_format == ArgsFormat::Bin {
+                bail!("--args-format bin requires --args-file, not {inline_arg_name}");
+            }
+            Ok(Some(InitArgs::Text {
+                content: value.to_owned(),
+                format: args_format.clone(),
+            }))
+        }
+        (None, Some(file_path)) => Ok(Some(match args_format {
+            ArgsFormat::Bin => {
+                let bytes = fs::read(file_path).context("failed to read args file")?;
+                InitArgs::Binary(bytes)
+            }
+            fmt => {
+                let content = fs::read_to_string(file_path).context("failed to read args file")?;
+                InitArgs::Text {
+                    content: content.trim().to_owned(),
+                    format: fmt.clone(),
+                }
+            }
+        })),
+        (None, None) => Ok(None),
+        (Some(_), Some(_)) => unreachable!("clap conflicts_with prevents this"),
+    }
+}
+
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
     use candid::Principal;
diff --git a/crates/icp-cli/src/commands/canister/call.rs b/crates/icp-cli/src/commands/canister/call.rs
index 50df8d83..c06f58ca 100644
--- a/crates/icp-cli/src/commands/canister/call.rs
+++ b/crates/icp-cli/src/commands/canister/call.rs
@@ -8,8 +8,7 @@ use clap::{Args, ValueEnum};
 use dialoguer::console::Term;
 use ic_agent::Agent;
 use icp::context::Context;
-use icp::fs;
-use icp::manifest::InitArgsFormat;
+use icp::manifest::ArgsFormat;
 use icp::parsers::CyclesAmount;
 use icp::prelude::*;
 use serde::Serialize;
@@ -17,7 +16,8 @@ use std::io::{self, Write};
 use tracing::{error, warn};
 
 use crate::{
-    commands::args, operations::misc::fetch_canister_metadata,
+    commands::args::{self, load_args},
+    operations::misc::fetch_canister_metadata,
     operations::proxy::update_or_proxy_raw,
 };
 
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ pub(crate) struct CallArgs {
 
     /// Format of the call arguments.
     #[arg(long, default_value = "candid")]
-    pub(crate) args_format: InitArgsFormat,
+    pub(crate) args_format: ArgsFormat,
 
     /// Principal of a proxy canister to route the call through.
     ///
@@ -134,45 +134,36 @@ pub(crate) async fn exec(ctx: &Context, args: &CallArgs) -> Result<(), anyhow::E
         Bytes(Vec<u8>),
     }
 
-    let resolved_args = match (&args.args, &args.args_file) {
-        (Some(value), None) => {
-            if args.args_format == InitArgsFormat::Bin {
-                bail!("--args-format bin requires --args-file, not a positional argument");
-            }
-            Some(match args.args_format {
-                InitArgsFormat::Candid => ResolvedArgs::Candid(
-                    parse_idl_args(value).context("failed to parse Candid arguments")?,
-                ),
-                InitArgsFormat::Hex => ResolvedArgs::Bytes(
-                    hex::decode(value).context("failed to decode hex arguments")?,
-                ),
-                InitArgsFormat::Bin => unreachable!(),
-            })
+    let resolved_args = match load_args(
+        args.args.as_deref(),
+        args.args_file.as_ref(),
+        &args.args_format,
+        "a positional argument",
+    )? {
+        None => None,
+        Some(icp::InitArgs::Binary(bytes)) => Some(ResolvedArgs::Bytes(bytes)),
+        Some(icp::InitArgs::Text {
+            content,
+            format: ArgsFormat::Candid,
+        }) => Some(ResolvedArgs::Candid(
+            parse_idl_args(&content).context("failed to parse Candid arguments")?,
+        )),
+        Some(icp::InitArgs::Text {
+            content,
+            format: ArgsFormat::Hex,
+        }) => Some(ResolvedArgs::Bytes(
+            hex::decode(&content).context("failed to decode hex arguments")?,
+        )),
+        Some(icp::InitArgs::Text {
+            format: ArgsFormat::Bin,
+            ..
+        }) => {
+            unreachable!("load_args rejects bin format for inline values")
         }
-        (None, Some(file_path)) => Some(match args.args_format {
-            InitArgsFormat::Bin => {
-                let bytes = fs::read(file_path).context("failed to read args file")?;
-                ResolvedArgs::Bytes(bytes)
-            }
-            InitArgsFormat::Hex => {
-                let content = fs::read_to_string(file_path).context("failed to read args file")?;
-                ResolvedArgs::Bytes(
-                    hex::decode(content.trim()).context("failed to decode hex from file")?,
-                )
-            }
-            InitArgsFormat::Candid => {
-                let content = fs::read_to_string(file_path).context("failed to read args file")?;
-                ResolvedArgs::Candid(
-                    parse_idl_args(content.trim()).context("failed to parse Candid from file")?,
-                )
-            }
-        }),
-        (None, None) => None,
-        (Some(_), Some(_)) => unreachable!("clap conflicts_with prevents this"),
     };
 
     let arg_bytes = match (&declared_method, resolved_args) {
-        (_, None) if args.args_format != InitArgsFormat::Candid => {
+        (_, None) if args.args_format != ArgsFormat::Candid => {
             bail!("arguments must be provided when --args-format is not candid");
         }
         (None, None) => bail!(
diff --git a/crates/icp-cli/src/commands/canister/install.rs b/crates/icp-cli/src/commands/canister/install.rs
index 2b45f713..69b74ace 100644
--- a/crates/icp-cli/src/commands/canister/install.rs
+++ b/crates/icp-cli/src/commands/canister/install.rs
@@ -6,13 +6,12 @@ use clap::Args;
 use dialoguer::Confirm;
 use ic_management_canister_types::CanisterInstallMode;
 use icp::context::{CanisterSelection, Context};
-use icp::manifest::InitArgsFormat;
+use icp::fs;
 use icp::prelude::*;
-use icp::{InitArgs, fs};
 use tracing::{info, warn};
 
 use crate::{
-    commands::args,
+    commands::args::{self, ArgsOpt},
     operations::{
         candid_compat::{CandidCompatibility, check_candid_compatibility},
         install::{install_canister, resolve_install_mode_and_status},
@@ -30,17 +29,8 @@ pub(crate) struct InstallArgs {
     #[arg(long)]
     pub(crate) wasm: Option<PathBuf>,
 
-    /// Inline initialization arguments, interpreted per `--args-format` (Candid by default).
-    #[arg(long, conflicts_with = "args_file")]
-    pub(crate) args: Option<String>,
-
-    /// Path to a file containing initialization arguments.
-    #[arg(long, conflicts_with = "args")]
-    pub(crate) args_file: Option<PathBuf>,
-
-    /// Format of the initialization arguments.
-    #[arg(long, default_value = "candid")]
-    pub(crate) args_format: InitArgsFormat,
+    #[command(flatten)]
+    pub(crate) args_opt: ArgsOpt,
 
     /// Skip confirmation prompts, including the Candid interface compatibility check.
     #[arg(long, short)]
@@ -92,38 +82,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn exec(ctx: &Context, args: &InstallArgs) -> Result<(), anyhow
         .await?;
 
     // If you add .did support to this code, consider extracting/unifying with the logic from call.rs
-    let init_args = match (&args.args, &args.args_file) {
-        (Some(value), None) => {
-            if args.args_format == InitArgsFormat::Bin {
-                bail!("--args-format bin requires --args-file, not --args");
-            }
-            Some(InitArgs::Text {
-                content: value.clone(),
-                format: args.args_format.clone(),
-            })
-        }
-        (None, Some(file_path)) => Some(match args.args_format {
-            InitArgsFormat::Bin => {
-                let bytes = fs::read(file_path).context("failed to read init args file")?;
-                InitArgs::Binary(bytes)
-            }
-            ref fmt => {
-                let content =
-                    fs::read_to_string(file_path).context("failed to read init args file")?;
-                InitArgs::Text {
-                    content: content.trim().to_owned(),
-                    format: fmt.clone(),
-                }
-            }
-        }),
-        (None, None) => None,
-        (Some(_), Some(_)) => unreachable!("clap conflicts_with prevents this"),
-    };
-
-    let init_args_bytes = init_args
-        .as_ref()
-        .map(|ia| ia.to_bytes().context("failed to encode init args"))
-        .transpose()?;
+    let init_args_bytes = args.args_opt.resolve_bytes()?;
 
     let canister_display = args.cmd_args.canister.to_string();
     let (install_mode, status) = resolve_install_mode_and_status(
diff --git a/crates/icp-cli/src/commands/deploy.rs b/crates/icp-cli/src/commands/deploy.rs
index 443724b0..deb36de8 100644
--- a/crates/icp-cli/src/commands/deploy.rs
+++ b/crates/icp-cli/src/commands/deploy.rs
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ use serde::Serialize;
 use tracing::info;
 
 use crate::{
-    commands::canister::create,
+    commands::{args::ArgsOpt, canister::create},
     operations::{
         binding_env_vars::set_binding_env_vars_many,
         build::build_many_with_progress_bar,
@@ -30,6 +30,19 @@ use crate::{
 
 /// Deploy a project to an environment
 #[derive(Args, Debug)]
+#[command(after_long_help = "\
+When deploying a single canister, you can pass arguments to the install call
+using --args or --args-file:
+
+    # Pass inline Candid arguments
+    icp deploy my_canister --args '(42 : nat)'
+
+    # Pass arguments from a file
+    icp deploy my_canister --args-file ./args.did
+
+    # Pass raw bytes
+    icp deploy my_canister --args-file ./args.bin --args-format bin
+")]
 pub(crate) struct DeployArgs {
     /// Canister names
     pub(crate) names: Vec<String>,
@@ -68,6 +81,11 @@ pub(crate) struct DeployArgs {
     /// Output command results as JSON
     #[arg(long)]
     pub(crate) json: bool,
+
+    /// Arguments to pass to the canister on install.
+    /// Only valid when deploying a single canister. Takes priority over `init_args` in the manifest.
+    #[command(flatten)]
+    pub(crate) args_opt: ArgsOpt,
 }
 
 pub(crate) async fn exec(ctx: &Context, args: &DeployArgs) -> Result<(), anyhow::Error> {
@@ -89,6 +107,10 @@ pub(crate) async fn exec(ctx: &Context, args: &DeployArgs) -> Result<(), anyhow:
         return Ok(());
     }
 
+    if args.args_opt.is_some() && cnames.len() != 1 {
+        anyhow::bail!("--args and --args-file can only be used when deploying a single canister");
+    }
+
     let canisters_to_build = try_join_all(
         cnames
             .iter()
@@ -256,11 +278,16 @@ pub(crate) async fn exec(ctx: &Context, args: &DeployArgs) -> Result<(), anyhow:
             let (_canister_path, canister_info) =
                 env.get_canister_info(name).map_err(|e| anyhow!(e))?;
 
-            let init_args_bytes = canister_info
-                .init_args
-                .as_ref()
-                .map(|ia| ia.to_bytes())
-                .transpose()?;
+            // CLI --args/--args-file take priority over manifest init_args
+            let init_args_bytes = if args.args_opt.is_some() {
+                args.args_opt.resolve_bytes()?
+            } else {
+                canister_info
+                    .init_args
+                    .as_ref()
+                    .map(|ia| ia.to_bytes())
+                    .transpose()?
+            };
 
             Ok::<_, anyhow::Error>((name.clone(), cid, mode, status, init_args_bytes))
         }
diff --git a/crates/icp-cli/tests/deploy_tests.rs b/crates/icp-cli/tests/deploy_tests.rs
index 327b1cc4..7f8affd0 100644
--- a/crates/icp-cli/tests/deploy_tests.rs
+++ b/crates/icp-cli/tests/deploy_tests.rs
@@ -685,6 +685,285 @@ async fn deploy_cloud_engine() {
         .stdout(eq("(\"Hello, test!\")").trim());
 }
 
+#[cfg(unix)] // moc
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn deploy_with_inline_args_candid() {
+    let ctx = TestContext::new();
+    let project_dir = ctx.create_project_dir("icp");
+
+    ctx.copy_asset_dir("echo_init_arg_canister", &project_dir);
+
+    let pm = formatdoc! {r#"
+        canisters:
+          - name: my-canister
+            recipe:
+              type: "@dfinity/motoko@v4.0.0"
+              configuration:
+                main: main.mo
+                args: ""
+
+        {NETWORK_RANDOM_PORT}
+        {ENVIRONMENT_RANDOM_PORT}
+    "#};
+
+    write_string(&project_dir.join("icp.yaml"), &pm).expect("failed to write project manifest");
+
+    let _g = ctx.start_network_in(&project_dir, "random-network").await;
+    ctx.ping_until_healthy(&project_dir, "random-network");
+
+    clients::icp(&ctx, &project_dir, Some("random-environment".to_string()))
+        .mint_cycles(10 * TRILLION);
+
+    ctx.icp()
+        .current_dir(&project_dir)
+        .args([
+            "deploy",
+            "my-canister",
+            "--environment",
+            "random-environment",
+            "--args",
+            "(opt (42 : nat8))",
+        ])
+        .assert()
+        .success();
+
+    ctx.icp()
+        .current_dir(&project_dir)
+        .args([
+            "canister",
+            "call",
+            "--environment",
+            "random-environment",
+            "my-canister",
+            "get",
+            "()",
+        ])
+        .assert()
+        .success()
+        .stdout(eq("(\"42\")").trim());
+}
+
+#[cfg(unix)] // moc
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn deploy_with_args_overrides_manifest_init_args() {
+    let ctx = TestContext::new();
+    let project_dir = ctx.create_project_dir("icp");
+
+    ctx.copy_asset_dir("echo_init_arg_canister", &project_dir);
+
+    // Manifest sets init_args to 7; CLI --args should override it with 42
+    let pm = formatdoc! {r#"
+        canisters:
+          - name: my-canister
+            init_args: "(opt (7 : nat8))"
+            recipe:
+              type: "@dfinity/motoko@v4.0.0"
+              configuration:
+                main: main.mo
+                args: ""
+
+        {NETWORK_RANDOM_PORT}
+        {ENVIRONMENT_RANDOM_PORT}
+    "#};
+
+    write_string(&project_dir.join("icp.yaml"), &pm).expect("failed to write project manifest");
+
+    let _g = ctx.start_network_in(&project_dir, "random-network").await;
+    ctx.ping_until_healthy(&project_dir, "random-network");
+
+    clients::icp(&ctx, &project_dir, Some("random-environment".to_string()))
+        .mint_cycles(10 * TRILLION);
+
+    ctx.icp()
+        .current_dir(&project_dir)
+        .args([
+            "deploy",
+            "my-canister",
+            "--environment",
+            "random-environment",
+            "--args",
+            "(opt (42 : nat8))",
+        ])
+        .assert()
+        .success();
+
+    // CLI --args (42) should take priority over manifest init_args (7)
+    ctx.icp()
+        .current_dir(&project_dir)
+        .args([
+            "canister",
+            "call",
+            "--environment",
+            "random-environment",
+            "my-canister",
+            "get",
+            "()",
+        ])
+        .assert()
+        .success()
+        .stdout(eq("(\"42\")").trim());
+}
+
+#[cfg(unix)] // moc
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn deploy_with_args_file() {
+    let ctx = TestContext::new();
+    let project_dir = ctx.create_project_dir("icp");
+
+    ctx.copy_asset_dir("echo_init_arg_canister", &project_dir);
+
+    let pm = formatdoc! {r#"
+        canisters:
+          - name: my-canister
+            recipe:
+              type: "@dfinity/motoko@v4.0.0"
+              configuration:
+                main: main.mo
+                args: ""
+
+        {NETWORK_RANDOM_PORT}
+        {ENVIRONMENT_RANDOM_PORT}
+    "#};
+
+    write_string(&project_dir.join("icp.yaml"), &pm).expect("failed to write project manifest");
+    write_string(&project_dir.join("args.txt"), "(opt (42 : nat8))")
+        .expect("failed to write args file");
+
+    let _g = ctx.start_network_in(&project_dir, "random-network").await;
+    ctx.ping_until_healthy(&project_dir, "random-network");
+
+    clients::icp(&ctx, &project_dir, Some("random-environment".to_string()))
+        .mint_cycles(10 * TRILLION);
+
+    ctx.icp()
+        .current_dir(&project_dir)
+        .args([
+            "deploy",
+            "my-canister",
+            "--environment",
+            "random-environment",
+            "--args-file",
+            "args.txt",
+        ])
+        .assert()
+        .success();
+
+    ctx.icp()
+        .current_dir(&project_dir)
+        .args([
+            "canister",
+            "call",
+            "--environment",
+            "random-environment",
+            "my-canister",
+            "get",
+            "()",
+        ])
+        .assert()
+        .success()
+        .stdout(eq("(\"42\")").trim());
+}
+
+#[cfg(unix)] // moc
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn deploy_with_args_hex_format() {
+    let ctx = TestContext::new();
+    let project_dir = ctx.create_project_dir("icp");
+
+    ctx.copy_asset_dir("echo_init_arg_canister", &project_dir);
+
+    let pm = formatdoc! {r#"
+        canisters:
+          - name: my-canister
+            recipe:
+              type: "@dfinity/motoko@v4.0.0"
+              configuration:
+                main: main.mo
+                args: ""
+
+        {NETWORK_RANDOM_PORT}
+        {ENVIRONMENT_RANDOM_PORT}
+    "#};
+
+    write_string(&project_dir.join("icp.yaml"), &pm).expect("failed to write project manifest");
+
+    let _g = ctx.start_network_in(&project_dir, "random-network").await;
+    ctx.ping_until_healthy(&project_dir, "random-network");
+
+    clients::icp(&ctx, &project_dir, Some("random-environment".to_string()))
+        .mint_cycles(10 * TRILLION);
+
+    // Hex encoding of "(opt 100 : opt nat8)" — didc encode '(opt 100 : opt nat8)'
+    ctx.icp()
+        .current_dir(&project_dir)
+        .args([
+            "deploy",
+            "my-canister",
+            "--environment",
+            "random-environment",
+            "--args",
+            "4449444c016e7b01000164",
+            "--args-format",
+            "hex",
+        ])
+        .assert()
+        .success();
+
+    ctx.icp()
+        .current_dir(&project_dir)
+        .args([
+            "canister",
+            "call",
+            "--environment",
+            "random-environment",
+            "my-canister",
+            "get",
+            "()",
+        ])
+        .assert()
+        .success()
+        .stdout(eq("(\"100\")").trim());
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn deploy_with_args_multiple_canisters_fails() {
+    let ctx = TestContext::new();
+    let project_dir = ctx.create_project_dir("icp");
+
+    let pm = indoc! {r#"
+        canisters:
+          - name: canister-a
+            build:
+              steps:
+                - type: script
+                  command: echo hi
+          - name: canister-b
+            build:
+              steps:
+                - type: script
+                  command: echo hi
+    "#};
+
+    write_string(&project_dir.join("icp.yaml"), pm).expect("failed to write project manifest");
+
+    ctx.icp()
+        .current_dir(&project_dir)
+        .args([
+            "deploy",
+            "canister-a",
+            "canister-b",
+            "--subnet",
+            common::SUBNET_ID,
+            "--args",
+            "()",
+        ])
+        .assert()
+        .failure()
+        .stderr(contains(
+            "--args and --args-file can only be used when deploying a single canister",
+        ));
+}
+
 #[tokio::test]
 async fn deploy_through_proxy() {
     let ctx = TestContext::new();
diff --git a/crates/icp/src/lib.rs b/crates/icp/src/lib.rs
index 97adf3e8..b023cc83 100644
--- a/crates/icp/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/icp/src/lib.rs
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ use candid_parser::parse_idl_args;
 use crate::{
     canister::{Settings, recipe::Resolve},
     manifest::{
-        InitArgsFormat, LoadManifestFromPathError, PROJECT_MANIFEST, ProjectRootLocate,
+        ArgsFormat, LoadManifestFromPathError, PROJECT_MANIFEST, ProjectRootLocate,
         ProjectRootLocateError,
         canister::{BuildSteps, SyncSteps},
         load_manifest_from_path,
@@ -46,10 +46,7 @@ const DATA_DIR: &str = "data";
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, PartialEq, Serialize)]
 pub enum InitArgs {
     /// Text content (inline or loaded from file). Format is always known.
-    Text {
-        content: String,
-        format: InitArgsFormat,
-    },
+    Text { content: String, format: ArgsFormat },
     /// Raw binary bytes (from a file with `format: bin`). Used directly.
     Binary(Vec<u8>),
 }
@@ -72,12 +69,12 @@ impl InitArgs {
         match self {
             InitArgs::Binary(bytes) => Ok(bytes.clone()),
             InitArgs::Text { content, format } => match format {
-                InitArgsFormat::Hex => hex::decode(content.trim()).context(HexDecodeSnafu),
-                InitArgsFormat::Candid => {
+                ArgsFormat::Hex => hex::decode(content.trim()).context(HexDecodeSnafu),
+                ArgsFormat::Candid => {
                     let args = parse_idl_args(content.trim()).context(CandidParseSnafu)?;
                     args.to_bytes().context(CandidEncodeSnafu)
                 }
-                InitArgsFormat::Bin => {
+                ArgsFormat::Bin => {
                     unreachable!("binary format cannot appear in InitArgs::Text")
                 }
             },
diff --git a/crates/icp/src/manifest/canister.rs b/crates/icp/src/manifest/canister.rs
index 9e0fdcbb..6fafaf72 100644
--- a/crates/icp/src/manifest/canister.rs
+++ b/crates/icp/src/manifest/canister.rs
@@ -7,11 +7,11 @@ use crate::canister::Settings;
 
 use super::{adapter, recipe::Recipe, serde_helpers::non_empty_vec};
 
-/// Format specifier for init args content.
+/// Format specifier for canister call/install args content.
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, Default, PartialEq, Deserialize, Serialize, JsonSchema)]
 #[cfg_attr(feature = "clap", derive(clap::ValueEnum))]
 #[serde(rename_all = "lowercase")]
-pub enum InitArgsFormat {
+pub enum ArgsFormat {
     /// Hex-encoded bytes
     Hex,
     /// Candid text format
@@ -48,13 +48,13 @@ pub enum ManifestInitArgs {
     Path {
         path: String,
         #[serde(default)]
-        format: InitArgsFormat,
+        format: ArgsFormat,
     },
     /// Inline value with explicit format.
     Value {
         value: String,
         #[serde(default)]
-        format: InitArgsFormat,
+        format: ArgsFormat,
     },
 }
 
@@ -767,7 +767,7 @@ mod tests {
             ia,
             ManifestInitArgs::Path {
                 path: "./args.bin".to_string(),
-                format: InitArgsFormat::Bin,
+                format: ArgsFormat::Bin,
             }
         );
     }
@@ -783,7 +783,7 @@ mod tests {
             ia,
             ManifestInitArgs::Value {
                 value: "(42)".to_string(),
-                format: InitArgsFormat::Candid,
+                format: ArgsFormat::Candid,
             }
         );
     }
@@ -798,7 +798,7 @@ mod tests {
             ia,
             ManifestInitArgs::Value {
                 value: "(42)".to_string(),
-                format: InitArgsFormat::Candid,
+                format: ArgsFormat::Candid,
             }
         );
     }
diff --git a/crates/icp/src/manifest/mod.rs b/crates/icp/src/manifest/mod.rs
index 83bed7cc..d21a867d 100644
--- a/crates/icp/src/manifest/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/icp/src/manifest/mod.rs
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ pub(crate) mod recipe;
 pub(crate) mod serde_helpers;
 
 pub use {
-    canister::{CanisterManifest, InitArgsFormat, ManifestInitArgs},
+    canister::{ArgsFormat, CanisterManifest, ManifestInitArgs},
     environment::EnvironmentManifest,
     network::NetworkManifest,
     project::ProjectManifest,
diff --git a/crates/icp/src/manifest/project.rs b/crates/icp/src/manifest/project.rs
index 7559f28e..b158cbbd 100644
--- a/crates/icp/src/manifest/project.rs
+++ b/crates/icp/src/manifest/project.rs
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ mod tests {
     use crate::{
         canister::Settings,
         manifest::{
-            InitArgsFormat, ManifestInitArgs,
+            ArgsFormat, ManifestInitArgs,
             adapter::script,
             canister::{BuildStep, BuildSteps, Instructions},
             environment::CanisterSelection,
@@ -459,7 +459,7 @@ mod tests {
                             "canister-2".to_string(),
                             ManifestInitArgs::Value {
                                 value: "4449444c0000".to_string(),
-                                format: InitArgsFormat::Hex,
+                                format: ArgsFormat::Hex,
                             },
                         ),
                     ])),
diff --git a/crates/icp/src/project.rs b/crates/icp/src/project.rs
index 60171bae..1e48d133 100644
--- a/crates/icp/src/project.rs
+++ b/crates/icp/src/project.rs
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ use crate::{
     context::IC_ROOT_KEY,
     fs,
     manifest::{
-        CANISTER_MANIFEST, CanisterManifest, EnvironmentManifest, InitArgsFormat, Item,
+        ArgsFormat, CANISTER_MANIFEST, CanisterManifest, EnvironmentManifest, Item,
         LoadManifestFromPathError, ManifestInitArgs, NetworkManifest, ProjectManifest,
         ProjectRootLocateError,
         canister::{Instructions, SyncSteps},
@@ -108,12 +108,12 @@ fn resolve_manifest_init_args(
     match manifest_init_args {
         ManifestInitArgs::String(content) => Ok(InitArgs::Text {
             content: content.trim().to_owned(),
-            format: InitArgsFormat::Candid,
+            format: ArgsFormat::Candid,
         }),
         ManifestInitArgs::Path { path, format } => {
             let file_path = base_path.join(path);
             match format {
-                InitArgsFormat::Bin => {
+                ArgsFormat::Bin => {
                     let bytes = fs::read(&file_path).context(ReadInitArgsSnafu { canister })?;
                     Ok(InitArgs::Binary(bytes))
                 }
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ fn resolve_manifest_init_args(
             }
         }
         ManifestInitArgs::Value { value, format } => match format {
-            InitArgsFormat::Bin => BinFormatInlineContentSnafu { canister }.fail(),
+            ArgsFormat::Bin => BinFormatInlineContentSnafu { canister }.fail(),
             fmt => Ok(InitArgs::Text {
                 content: value.trim().to_owned(),
                 format: fmt.clone(),
diff --git a/docs/reference/cli.md b/docs/reference/cli.md
index 62fe873e..22562467 100644
--- a/docs/reference/cli.md
+++ b/docs/reference/cli.md
@@ -289,9 +289,9 @@ Install a built WASM to a canister on a network
   Possible values: `auto`, `install`, `reinstall`, `upgrade`
 
 * `--wasm <WASM>` — Path to the WASM file to install. Uses the build output if not explicitly provided
-* `--args <ARGS>` — Inline initialization arguments, interpreted per `--args-format` (Candid by default)
-* `--args-file <ARGS_FILE>` — Path to a file containing initialization arguments
-* `--args-format <ARGS_FORMAT>` — Format of the initialization arguments
+* `--args <ARGS>` — Inline arguments, interpreted per `--args-format` (Candid by default)
+* `--args-file <ARGS_FILE>` — Path to a file containing arguments
+* `--args-format <ARGS_FORMAT>` — Format of the arguments
 
   Default value: `candid`
 
@@ -817,6 +817,19 @@ Deploy a project to an environment
 
 **Usage:** `icp deploy [OPTIONS] [NAMES]...`
 
+When deploying a single canister, you can pass arguments to the install call
+using --args or --args-file:
+
+    # Pass inline Candid arguments
+    icp deploy my_canister --args '(42 : nat)'
+
+    # Pass arguments from a file
+    icp deploy my_canister --args-file ./args.did
+
+    # Pass raw bytes
+    icp deploy my_canister --args-file ./args.bin --args-format bin
+
+
 ###### **Arguments:**
 
 * `<NAMES>` — Canister names
@@ -839,6 +852,20 @@ Deploy a project to an environment
 * `--identity <IDENTITY>` — The user identity to run this command as
 * `-e`, `--environment <ENVIRONMENT>` — Override the environment to connect to. By default, the local environment is used
 * `--json` — Output command results as JSON
+* `--args <ARGS>` — Inline arguments, interpreted per `--args-format` (Candid by default)
+* `--args-file <ARGS_FILE>` — Path to a file containing arguments
+* `--args-format <ARGS_FORMAT>` — Format of the arguments
+
+  Default value: `candid`
+
+  Possible values:
+  - `hex`:
+    Hex-encoded bytes
+  - `candid`:
+    Candid text format
+  - `bin`:
+    Raw binary (only valid for file references)
+
 
 
 
diff --git a/docs/schemas/canister-yaml-schema.json b/docs/schemas/canister-yaml-schema.json
index 5e4982b3..ba1ac963 100644
--- a/docs/schemas/canister-yaml-schema.json
+++ b/docs/schemas/canister-yaml-schema.json
@@ -89,6 +89,26 @@
       ],
       "type": "object"
     },
+    "ArgsFormat": {
+      "description": "Format specifier for canister call/install args content.",
+      "oneOf": [
+        {
+          "const": "hex",
+          "description": "Hex-encoded bytes",
+          "type": "string"
+        },
+        {
+          "const": "candid",
+          "description": "Candid text format",
+          "type": "string"
+        },
+        {
+          "const": "bin",
+          "description": "Raw binary (only valid for file references)",
+          "type": "string"
+        }
+      ]
+    },
     "BuildStep": {
       "description": "Identifies the type of adapter used to build the canister,\nalong with its configuration.\n\nThe adapter type is specified via the `type` field in the YAML file.\nFor example:\n\n```yaml\ntype: script\ncommand: do_something.sh\n```",
       "oneOf": [
@@ -163,26 +183,6 @@
       ],
       "description": "A duration in seconds.\n\nDeserializes from a number (seconds) or a string with duration suffix (s, m, h, d, w)\nand optional underscore separators.\n\nSuffixes (case-insensitive):\n- `s` — seconds\n- `m` — minutes (×60)\n- `h` — hours (×3600)\n- `d` — days (×86400)\n- `w` — weeks (×604800)\n\nA bare number without suffix is treated as seconds."
     },
-    "InitArgsFormat": {
-      "description": "Format specifier for init args content.",
-      "oneOf": [
-        {
-          "const": "hex",
-          "description": "Hex-encoded bytes",
-          "type": "string"
-        },
-        {
-          "const": "candid",
-          "description": "Candid text format",
-          "type": "string"
-        },
-        {
-          "const": "bin",
-          "description": "Raw binary (only valid for file references)",
-          "type": "string"
-        }
-      ]
-    },
     "LocalSource": {
       "properties": {
         "path": {
@@ -236,7 +236,7 @@
           "description": "File reference with explicit format.",
           "properties": {
             "format": {
-              "$ref": "#/$defs/InitArgsFormat",
+              "$ref": "#/$defs/ArgsFormat",
               "default": "candid"
             },
             "path": {
@@ -252,7 +252,7 @@
           "description": "Inline value with explicit format.",
           "properties": {
             "format": {
-              "$ref": "#/$defs/InitArgsFormat",
+              "$ref": "#/$defs/ArgsFormat",
               "default": "candid"
             },
             "value": {
diff --git a/docs/schemas/environment-yaml-schema.json b/docs/schemas/environment-yaml-schema.json
index 5dfceca4..82595812 100644
--- a/docs/schemas/environment-yaml-schema.json
+++ b/docs/schemas/environment-yaml-schema.json
@@ -1,5 +1,25 @@
 {
   "$defs": {
+    "ArgsFormat": {
+      "description": "Format specifier for canister call/install args content.",
+      "oneOf": [
+        {
+          "const": "hex",
+          "description": "Hex-encoded bytes",
+          "type": "string"
+        },
+        {
+          "const": "candid",
+          "description": "Candid text format",
+          "type": "string"
+        },
+        {
+          "const": "bin",
+          "description": "Raw binary (only valid for file references)",
+          "type": "string"
+        }
+      ]
+    },
     "CyclesAmount": {
       "anyOf": [
         {
@@ -26,26 +46,6 @@
       ],
       "description": "A duration in seconds.\n\nDeserializes from a number (seconds) or a string with duration suffix (s, m, h, d, w)\nand optional underscore separators.\n\nSuffixes (case-insensitive):\n- `s` — seconds\n- `m` — minutes (×60)\n- `h` — hours (×3600)\n- `d` — days (×86400)\n- `w` — weeks (×604800)\n\nA bare number without suffix is treated as seconds."
     },
-    "InitArgsFormat": {
-      "description": "Format specifier for init args content.",
-      "oneOf": [
-        {
-          "const": "hex",
-          "description": "Hex-encoded bytes",
-          "type": "string"
-        },
-        {
-          "const": "candid",
-          "description": "Candid text format",
-          "type": "string"
-        },
-        {
-          "const": "bin",
-          "description": "Raw binary (only valid for file references)",
-          "type": "string"
-        }
-      ]
-    },
     "LogVisibility": {
       "description": "Controls who can read canister logs.",
       "oneOf": [
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@
           "description": "File reference with explicit format.",
           "properties": {
             "format": {
-              "$ref": "#/$defs/InitArgsFormat",
+              "$ref": "#/$defs/ArgsFormat",
               "default": "candid"
             },
             "path": {
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@
           "description": "Inline value with explicit format.",
           "properties": {
             "format": {
-              "$ref": "#/$defs/InitArgsFormat",
+              "$ref": "#/$defs/ArgsFormat",
               "default": "candid"
             },
             "value": {
diff --git a/docs/schemas/icp-yaml-schema.json b/docs/schemas/icp-yaml-schema.json
index 63a012e9..efd5d1bc 100644
--- a/docs/schemas/icp-yaml-schema.json
+++ b/docs/schemas/icp-yaml-schema.json
@@ -89,6 +89,26 @@
       ],
       "type": "object"
     },
+    "ArgsFormat": {
+      "description": "Format specifier for canister call/install args content.",
+      "oneOf": [
+        {
+          "const": "hex",
+          "description": "Hex-encoded bytes",
+          "type": "string"
+        },
+        {
+          "const": "candid",
+          "description": "Candid text format",
+          "type": "string"
+        },
+        {
+          "const": "bin",
+          "description": "Raw binary (only valid for file references)",
+          "type": "string"
+        }
+      ]
+    },
     "BuildStep": {
       "description": "Identifies the type of adapter used to build the canister,\nalong with its configuration.\n\nThe adapter type is specified via the `type` field in the YAML file.\nFor example:\n\n```yaml\ntype: script\ncommand: do_something.sh\n```",
       "oneOf": [
@@ -374,26 +394,6 @@
       },
       "type": "object"
     },
-    "InitArgsFormat": {
-      "description": "Format specifier for init args content.",
-      "oneOf": [
-        {
-          "const": "hex",
-          "description": "Hex-encoded bytes",
-          "type": "string"
-        },
-        {
-          "const": "candid",
-          "description": "Candid text format",
-          "type": "string"
-        },
-        {
-          "const": "bin",
-          "description": "Raw binary (only valid for file references)",
-          "type": "string"
-        }
-      ]
-    },
     "Item": {
       "anyOf": [
         {
@@ -680,7 +680,7 @@
           "description": "File reference with explicit format.",
           "properties": {
             "format": {
-              "$ref": "#/$defs/InitArgsFormat",
+              "$ref": "#/$defs/ArgsFormat",
               "default": "candid"
             },
             "path": {
@@ -696,7 +696,7 @@
           "description": "Inline value with explicit format.",
           "properties": {
             "format": {
-              "$ref": "#/$defs/InitArgsFormat",
+              "$ref": "#/$defs/ArgsFormat",
               "default": "candid"
             },
             "value": {