Does pac solution import --stage-and-upgrade work on new solution import?

[FloraYang23]

We are running solution deployment in DevOps for Power Platform dev. We found the below code errored out when it is an new import and works if it is an solution upgrade.
pac solution import --path /home/vsts/work/1/FOBDSPNotes-managed/FOBDSPNotes.zip --skip-dependency-check --max-async-wait-time 60 --convert-to-managed false --publish-changes --stage-and-upgrade --async --settings-file /home/vsts/work/1/settings/settings.qa.json

Here is the error we got:
ImportAsHolding failed with exception :Solution manifest import: FAILURE: Cannot create a holding solution for missing base FOBDSPNotes.

--stage-and-upgrade seems to do import and upgrade the solution. If that is not the correct command, what we should use when doing a new import?

[mannybellas]

If you are importing it for the first time, import it using update (default, no switches). After that you can use --stage-and-upgrade