> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.celesto.ai/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # CLI overview > Overview of the SmolVM command-line interface for creating sandboxes, opening shells, managing snapshots, starting the HTTP server, and launching browser or desktop sessions. The SmolVM CLI lets you create and manage disposable computers from your terminal. Use it when you want to start a sandbox, open a shell, move files, expose a local port, or run the dashboard without writing Python code. ## Install Install the base CLI: ```bash theme={null} pip install smolvm ``` Install the dashboard and HTTP server dependencies: ```bash theme={null} pip install "smolvm[dashboard]" ``` ## Command groups | Command | What you can do | | ------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | `smolvm sandbox` | Create, inspect, start, stop, pause, resume, connect to, and delete sandboxes; open macOS desktops with `sandbox desktop` | | `smolvm sandbox exec` | Run one command inside a running sandbox from a script or agent | | `smolvm sandbox logs` | Show a sandbox's host boot and console log | | `smolvm sandbox snapshot` | Save and restore sandbox state | | `smolvm sandbox file` | Copy files into or out of a sandbox | | `smolvm sandbox env` | Set, remove, and list sandbox environment variables | | `smolvm sandbox port` | Share a sandbox port on `127.0.0.1` | | `smolvm browser` | Start browser and desktop-style browser sessions | | `smolvm windows` | Build a reusable Windows 11 `qcow2` image | | `smolvm server` | Start the local SmolVM HTTP API | | `smolvm ui` | Start the local dashboard | | `smolvm bridge` | Check host Linux bridges before using [bridged networking](/smolvm/features/bridged-networking) | | `smolvm completion` | Install shell tab completion for `bash`, `zsh`, or `fish` | | `smolvm doctor` | Check whether your host can run SmolVM | | `smolvm update` | Upgrade SmolVM to the latest stable release | | `smolvm image` | Pull, list, inspect, build, save, load, and prune cached sandbox images | | `smolvm images` | Alias of `smolvm image list` | | `smolvm prune` | Alias of `smolvm image prune` — remove image caches from older releases | ## Everyday sandbox workflow Create a sandbox, open the fast shell, then stop it when you are done: ```bash theme={null} smolvm sandbox create --name my-sandbox smolvm sandbox shell my-sandbox smolvm sandbox stop my-sandbox ``` Use SSH when you specifically need a real SSH session: ```bash theme={null} smolvm sandbox ssh my-sandbox ``` List your sandboxes: ```bash theme={null} smolvm sandbox list --all ``` Run a single command in a sandbox from a script or agent — the guest's exit code becomes `smolvm`'s exit code: ```bash theme={null} smolvm sandbox exec my-sandbox -- python --version ``` Read the host boot and console log when something goes wrong at startup: ```bash theme={null} smolvm sandbox logs my-sandbox --follow ``` ## macOS desktop workflow On an Apple Silicon Mac, create a disposable macOS environment: ```bash theme={null} smolvm sandbox create --os macos --name nimble-mac ``` The create output confirms that the sandbox is running and includes the next command: ```text theme={null} Next: smolvm sandbox desktop nimble-mac Info: smolvm sandbox info nimble-mac ``` Run the `Next` command to open the sandbox in Screen Sharing: ```bash theme={null} smolvm sandbox desktop nimble-mac ``` ```text theme={null} Opened the desktop for sandbox 'nimble-mac'. ``` The first run prepares a reusable local image. See [Disposable macOS environments](/smolvm/guides/macos-sandboxes) for the one-time setup, requirements, and full create output. ## Tab completion Turn on tab completion so your shell can finish `smolvm` commands, options, and the names of your existing sandboxes: ```bash theme={null} smolvm completion bash --install # also: zsh, fish ``` See [`smolvm completion`](/smolvm/cli/completion) for the manual setup and per-shell details. ## Snapshot workflow Create a checkpoint before a risky change, then restore it later: ```bash theme={null} smolvm sandbox snapshot create my-sandbox --snapshot-id before-change --resume-source smolvm sandbox snapshot restore before-change --resume ``` ## File, env, and port workflow Copy files, set environment variables, and expose a sandbox service: ```bash theme={null} smolvm sandbox file upload my-sandbox ./prompt.txt /workspace/prompt.txt smolvm sandbox env set my-sandbox MODEL=gpt-4.1 smolvm sandbox port expose my-sandbox 8080:3000 ``` ## Browser workflow Start a browser sandbox with a live viewer: ```bash theme={null} smolvm browser start --live --json ``` The JSON response includes the session ID and viewer URLs. Use the session ID with other browser commands: ```bash theme={null} smolvm browser list smolvm browser open smolvm browser stop ``` ## HTTP API workflow Start the local API server when you want another process, script, or TypeScript client to manage SmolVM: ```bash theme={null} smolvm server start --host 127.0.0.1 --port 8000 ``` See [HTTP API and TypeScript SDK](/smolvm/guides/http-api-typescript-sdk) for endpoint and client examples. ## Getting help Display help for the main command: ```bash theme={null} smolvm --help ``` Display help for a subcommand: ```bash theme={null} smolvm sandbox create --help smolvm sandbox snapshot create --help smolvm server start --help ``` ## Next steps Start a Linux, macOS, or Windows sandbox from the CLI Use the fast shell or an SSH session Move files into and out of a sandbox Save and restore sandbox state Run the local API server Launch the dashboard interface