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Terminal Access

Access your Proxmox nodes and containers directly from ProxMan with the built-in terminal.

Overview

ProxMan's terminal feature provides SSH-like access to your Proxmox infrastructure directly from your mobile device on both iOS and Android. No need for separate SSH clients — everything is integrated into the app.

Requirements

  • Premium Subscription: Terminal access for LXCs is a premium feature but free for Nodes
  • Network Access: Your device must be able to reach your Proxmox servers
  • User Permissions: Your Proxmox user must have appropriate shell access permissions

Accessing the Terminal

Node Terminal

Access the Proxmox node's shell:

1. Navigate to a node in your server list

3. Tap the "Terminal" button

4. The terminal will connect automatically

5. You're now in the node's shell

Container Terminal

Access an LXC container's shell:

1. Navigate to the container list

2. Select the container you want to access

3. Tap "Terminal" in the container details

4. The terminal connects to the container

5. You're now inside the container

PDM Remote Terminal

Access a node shell through Proxmox Datacenter Manager:

1. Open your PDM server in ProxMan

2. Navigate to a PVE remote and select a node

3. Tap "Terminal"

4. The session routes through PDM's API proxy

Terminal Features

Full Shell Access

  • Interactive Shell: Full bash/sh shell access
  • Command Execution: Run any command you have permissions for
  • Tab Completion: Use tab for command completion
  • Command History: Access previous commands with up/down arrows
  • Multi-line Commands: Support for complex commands

Keyboard Support

On-Screen Keyboard

  • Standard native keyboard
  • Special character access
  • Copy/paste support

Terminal Controls

Control Keys

Access special keys via the toolbar:

  • Ctrl: Control key modifier
  • Esc: Escape key
  • Tab: Tab key for completion
  • Arrow Keys: Navigate command history
  • Home/End: Jump to line start/end

Terminal Actions

  • Copy: Select text and copy
  • Paste: Paste from clipboard
  • Clear: Clear terminal screen
  • Disconnect: Close terminal session

Display Options

Font Size

  • Adjust font size in settings
  • Comfortable reading on any device

Color Schemes

  • Dark theme (default)
  • Light theme
  • Custom color schemes
  • Syntax highlighting support

Screen Orientation

  • Portrait mode
  • Landscape mode (recommended for extended use)
  • Auto-rotation support

Common Use Cases

System Administration

# Check system status
systemctl status pve-cluster

# View logs
journalctl -f

# Check disk usage
df -h

# Monitor processes
htop

# Update system
apt update && apt upgrade

VM Management

# List all VMs
qm list

# Start a VM
qm start 100

# Stop a VM
qm stop 100

# View VM config
qm config 100

# Access VM console
qm terminal 100

Container Management

# List containers
pct list

# Start container
pct start 100

# Stop container
pct stop 100

# Enter container
pct enter 100

# View container config
pct config 100

Network Diagnostics

# Check connectivity
ping google.com

# Test port
nc -zv hostname 8006

# View network interfaces
ip addr show

# Check routing
ip route show

# DNS lookup
nslookup proxmox.local

Storage Management

# Check storage
pvesm status

# List storage content
pvesm list local

# Check ZFS pools (if using ZFS)
zpool status

# Check disk health
smartctl -a /dev/sda

Backup Operations

# List backups
vzdump --list

# Create backup
vzdump 100 --storage local

# Restore backup
qmrestore /path/to/backup.vma 100

Terminal Tips & Tricks

Keyboard Shortcuts

When using external keyboard:

  • Ctrl+C: Interrupt current command
  • Ctrl+D: Exit shell / EOF
  • Ctrl+L: Clear screen
  • Ctrl+R: Search command history
  • Ctrl+A: Move to line start
  • Ctrl+E: Move to line end
  • Ctrl+U: Clear line before cursor
  • Ctrl+K: Clear line after cursor

Command History

  • Up Arrow: Previous command
  • Down Arrow: Next command

Text Selection

1. Long Press: Start text selection

2. Drag Handles: Adjust selection

3. Tap Copy: Copy selected text

4. Tap Paste: Paste from clipboard

Screen Management

  • Scroll: Scroll terminal output
  • Rotate Device: Switch orientation

Troubleshooting

Cannot Connect to Terminal

Problem: Terminal fails to connect

Solutions:

1. Check Permissions

- Verify user has shell access

- Check user permissions in Proxmox Web Interface

- Ensure user is not restricted

2. Network Issues

- Verify server connectivity

- Check firewall rules

- Test with ping/telnet

3. Server Configuration

- Ensure SSH service is running

- Check Proxmox web terminal works

- Verify node is accessible

Terminal Disconnects

Problem: Terminal session drops

Solutions:

1. Network Stability

- Check WiFi/cellular connection

- Move closer to router

- Try different network

2. Timeout Settings

- Increase SSH timeout on server

- Keep terminal active

- Reconnect when needed

3. Server Load

- Check server resources

- Verify server is responsive

- Wait and retry

Keyboard Issues

Problem: Keys not working correctly

Solutions:

1. External Keyboard

- Reconnect Bluetooth keyboard

- Check keyboard layout settings

- Try on-screen keyboard

2. Special Characters

- Use control key toolbar

- Long-press for special chars

- Check keyboard language

3. Copy/Paste

- Use native copy/paste gestures

- Try terminal paste button

- Check clipboard permissions

Display Problems

Problem: Text too small or hard to read

Solutions:

1. Adjust Font Size

- Change font size in settings

- Use landscape orientation

2. Color Scheme

- Switch to light theme

- Adjust contrast in settings

- Enable high contrast mode

3. Screen Size

- Use iPad for better experience

- Rotate to landscape

- Adjust zoom level

Advanced Features

Session Management

Use screen or tmux for persistent sessions:

# Start screen session
screen -S mysession

# Detach from screen
Ctrl+A, then D

# Reattach to screen
screen -r mysession

# List screens
screen -ls

Next Steps

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