CLI (Command Line Interface) is essential for efficient operation of Proxmox VE (Virtualization Environment)! We’ve organized 30 core commands by category for advanced tasks, automation, and troubleshooting that cannot be done with the web interface. Check out the detailed usage and examples of each command. — ### 📊 1. System Information and Monitoring Commands for checking the overall status of the Proxmox host. English: 1. **`pveversion`** – Check the installed Proxmox version – Example: `pveversion` → `pve-manager/7.4-3/…` 2. **`pvesubscription get`** – Check subscription status (Enterprise support) 💳 – Example: `pvesubscription get` 3. **`pvesh get /cluster/resources`** – Monitor cluster-wide resource usage – Example: `pvesh get /cluster/resources` 4. **`qm list`** – Print all VM (virtual machine) status – Example: `qm list` → Check VMID, name, status (running/stopped) 5. **`pct list`** – Print all LXC container status – Example: `pct list` — ### 🖥️ 2. Virtual Machine (VM) Management This is a command to control KVM-based virtual machines. 6. **`qm create `** – Create a new VM – Example: “`bash qm create 100 –name “MyVM” –memory 2048 –cores 2 \ –net0 virtio,bridge=vmbr0 –scsi0 local-lvm:10 “` 7. **`qm start `** – Start VM ▶️ – Example: `qm start 100` 8. **`qm stop `** – Force shutdown (power off) VM – Example: `qm stop 100` 9. **`qm shutdown `** – Shutdown VM safely (send ACPI signal) – Example: `qm shutdown 100` 10. **`qm destroy `** – Completely delete VM 🗑️ – Example: `qm destroy 100 –purge` 11. **`qm snapshot `** – Create a VM snapshot 📸 – Example: `qm snapshot 100 “before-update”` 12. **`qm rollback `** – Restore to snapshot – Example: `qm rollback 100 “before-update”` — ### 📦 3. LXC container management Command to operate Linux containers. 13. **`pct create `** – Create a new container – Example: “`bash pct create 200 local:vztmpl/ubuntu-22.04-standard_22.04-1_amd64.tar.gz \ –hostname “MyCT” –storage local-lvm –memory 1024 “` 14. **`pct start `** – Start container ▶️ – Example: `pct start 200` 15. **`pct stop `** – Force container stop – Example: `pct stop 200` 16. **`pct shutdown `** – Safely shut down a container – Example: `pct shutdown 200` 17. **`pct destroy `** – Completely delete a container 🗑️ – Example: `pct destroy 200` — ### 💾 4. Storage Management Commands for handling disks, ISOs, and backup storage. 18. **`pvesm list`** – List all storages – Example: `pvesm list` → Check NFS, Ceph, LVM status 19. **`pvesm add nfs `** – Add NFS storage – Example: “`bash pvesm add nfs my_nfs –server 192.168. 1.10 \ –export /mnt/share –content backup “` 20. **`pvesm remove `** – Remove storage – Example: `pvesm remove my_nfs` 21. **`pvesm status`** – Check storage usage and status – Example: `pvesm status` — ### 🌐 5. Network Settings Commands for managing virtual networks and firewalls. 22. **`cat /etc/network/interfaces`** – Check network configuration (vmbr0, etc.) – Example: `cat /etc/network/interfaces` 23. **`pve-firewall compile`** – Compile and apply firewall rules 🔥 – Example: `pve-firewall compile` 24. **`pve-firewall rules`** – View current firewall rules – Example: `pve-firewall rules` — ### 🔗 6. Cluster Management This is a command for operating a multi-node cluster. 25. **`pvecm status`** – Check cluster status (quorum, etc.) – Example: `pvecm status` 26. **`pvecm add `** – Add a new node to the cluster ➕ – Example: `pvecm add 192.168. 1.20` 27. **`pvecm delnode `** – Remove a node from the cluster ➖ – Example: `pvecm delnode pve2` — ### 💽 7. Backup and Recovery Commands for backing up/recovering virtual environments. 28. **`vzdump `** – Run VM/Container Backup 💾 – Example: `vzdump 100 –compress zstd –mode snapshot` 29. **`qmrestore `** – Restore VM Backup – Example: `qmrestore vzdump-qemu-100.vma.zst 101` 30. **`pct restore `** – Restore container backup – Example: `pct restore vzdump-lxc-200.tar.zst 201` — ### 🚀 In conclusion, learning just these 30 commands will cover 90% of Proxmox VE management! – **Tip 1**: Check detailed help with the `–help` option (e.g. `qm –help`) – **Tip 2**: Register commands in crontab for automation – **Caution**: Use commands like `destroy` and `delnode` with caution. > “Commands are the Proxmox administrator’s superpower. They’re faster than the web UI and offer direct control!” — Proxmox Official Forum Mastering the CLI opens up a world of advanced virtualization operations. 🚪💡 D
