Proxmox VE is an open source virtualization platform and a core tool for server management. The CLI (Command Line Interface) provides more efficient control than the GUI. From system management to backup and recovery, learn the 🛠️ 30 Essential Commands in detail in this guide! — ### 🔧 System Management Commands #### 1. pveversion Check Proxmix version and package information bash pveversion -v # Print detailed version # Example: pve-manager/7.4-3/... #### 2. apt update && apt upgrade Update and upgrade packages bash apt update && apt dist-upgrade -y # Upgrade without automatic checking #### 3. reboot Reboot the server bash reboot now # Restart immediately #### 4. shutdown Shut down the server bash shutdown -h now # Power off immediately #### 5. pvesubscription get Check subscription status bash pvesubscription get # Print validation result — ### 🖥️ Manage Virtual Machines (VM) #### 6. qm list List all VMs bash qm list # Print status (running/stopped), VMID, name #### 7. qm start [VMID] Start VM bash qm start 100 # Run VMID 100 times #### 8. qm stop [VMID] Force VM shutdown bash qm stop 100 --force # Immediate shutdown (not recommended) #### 9. qm shutdown [VMID] Normal VM shutdown bash qm shutdown 100 --timeout 10 # Shut down after waiting for 10 seconds #### 10. qm reset [VMID] Hard reset VM bash qm reset 100 # Force restart with power button #### 11. qm create [VMID] Create new VM bash qm create 200 --name "Ubuntu-Server" --memory 2048 --cores 2 #### 12. qm destroy [VMID] Completely delete VM bash qm destroy 100 --purge # Remove everything including disk #### 13. qm clone [VMID] [NEWID] Clone VM bash qm clone 100 101 --name "Clone-VM" # Clone 100 to 101 #### 14. qm snapshot [VMID] [Snapshot name] Create snapshot bash qm snapshot 100 "Before-Update" # Backup snapshot #### 15. qm config [VMID] Check VM settings bash qm config 100 # Detailed information such as CPU, memory, and disk — ### 📦 Container (LXC) Management #### 16. pct list List all containers bash pct list # Use CTID instead of VMID #### 17. pct start [CTID] Start container bash pct start 101 # Run CTID 101 #### 18. pct stop [CTID] Stop container bash pct stop 101 # Normal shutdown #### 19. pct create [CTID] Create new container bash pct create 102 local:vztmpl/ubuntu-22.04-standard.tar.gz --rootfs 8 #### 20. pct enter [CTID] Connect to container console bash pct enter 101 # Connect directly without SSH (Escape with exit) — ### 💾 Storage Management #### 21. pvesm status Check storage status bash pvesm status # Capacity, type, activation status #### 22. pvesm list [storage name] List storage contents bash pvesm list local # List backups/templates of "local" storage #### 23. pvesm add [type] [name] Add new storage bash pvesm add nfs NFS-Share --server 192.168.1.50 --export /mnt/share — ### 🌐 Network settings #### 24. cat /etc/network/interfaces Check network configuration bash cat /etc/network/interfaces # Bridge, VLAN settings, etc. #### 25. ifreload -a Reapply network settings bash ifreload -a # Apply changes without restarting — ### 🔗 Cluster Management #### 26. pvecm status Check cluster status bash pvecm status # Quorum, number of nodes, current status #### 27. pvecm nodes List of cluster nodes bash pvecm nodes # List of participating servers #### 28. pvecm add [node IP] Add new node bash pvecm add 192.168.1.20 # Expand cluster — ### 💽 Backup and Recovery #### 29. vzdump [VMID/CTID] Create backup bash vzdump 100 --mode snapshot --storage Backup1 # Backup in snapshot mode #### 30. qmrestore / pct restore Restore backup bash qmrestore vzdump-qemu-100.vma.zst 200 # Restore backup 100 to 200 pct restore 102 vzdump-lxc-101.tar.zst # Restore container — ### 🎯 Conclusion If you learn just these 30 commands, you can cover 90% of Proxmix server management! ✅ Practical Tips: – Check command help with the --help option (e.g. qm --help) – Save the output as >> command.log (e.g. pvecm status >> cluster.log) – Get familiar with the terminal, as the CLI is often faster than the GUI! > “Commands are not to be memorized, but to be used when needed. Bookmark this guide!” 💡 Cheers to your first step toward becoming a Proxmix master! 🚀 D
