Guides - Linode Instances

The Linode CLI is a wrapper around the Linode API that allows you to manage your Linode account from the command line. Virtually any task that can be done through the Linode Manager can be done through the CLI, making it an excellent tool for scripting.

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Tasks related to Linode instances are performed with linode-cli linodes [ACTION].

  1. List all of the Linodes on your account:

    linode-cli linodes list
    

    Filter results to a particular region:

    linode-cli linodes list --region us-east
    

    Filtering works on many fields throughout the CLI. Use --help for each action to see which properties are filterable.

  2. Create a new Linode:

    linode-cli linodes create --root_pass mypassword
    

    The defaults you specified when configuring the CLI will be used for the new Linode’s type, region, and image. Override these options by specifying the values:

    linode-cli linodes create --root_pass mypassword --region us-east --image linode/debian9 --group webservers
    

    If you are not writing a script, it is more secure to use --root_pass without specifying a password. You will then be prompted to enter a password:

    linode-cli linodes create --root_pass
    
  3. For commands targeting a specific Linode, you will need that Linode’s ID. The ID is returned when creating the Linode, and can be viewed by listing the Linodes on your account as described above. Store the ID of the new Linode (or an existing Linode) for later use:

    export linode_id=<id-string>
    
  4. View details about a particular Linode:

    linode-cli linodes view $linode_id
    
  5. Boot, shut down, or reboot a Linode:

    linode-cli linodes boot $linode_id
    linode-cli linodes reboot $linode_id
    linode-cli linodes shutdown $linode_id
    
  6. View a list of available IP addresses for a specific Linode:

    linode-cli linodes ips-list $linode_id
    
  7. Add a private IP address to a Linode:

    linode-cli linodes ip-add $linode_id --type ipv4 --public false
    
  8. Create a new disk for a Linode:

    linode-cli linodes disk-create $linode_id --size 2700 --root_pass mypassword --filesystem raw --no-defaults
    
    Note
    Even if you set the --filesystem to raw, the defaults you specified when configuring the CLI will be used for setting a Linode’s disk image for this disk, overriding the filesystem setting. To create a disk without the default image, using only the parameters you send in this command, use the --no-defaults flag.
  9. List all disks provisioned for a Linode:

    linode-cli linodes disks-list $linode_id
    
  10. Upgrade your Linode. If an upgrade is available for the specified Linode, it will be placed in the Migration Queue. It will then be automatically shut down, migrated, and returned to its last state:

    linode-cli linodes upgrade $linode_id
    
  11. Rebuild a Linode:

    linode-cli linodes rebuild $linode_id --image linode/debian9 --root_pass
    
  12. Rebuild a Linode, adding a populated authorized_keys file:

     linode-cli linodes rebuild $linode_id --image linode/debian9 --root_pass --authorized_keys "ssh-ed25519 AAAAC3NzaC1lZDI1NTE5AAAAIEC+DOVfw+8Jsw1IPrYCcU9/HCuKayCsV8bXjsHqX/Zq email@example.com"
    

    If your key exists on your filesystem, you can also substitute its value in the CLI command with cat. For example:

     linode-cli linodes rebuild $linode_id --image linode/debian9 --root_pass --authorized_keys "$(cat ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub)"
    

Many other actions are available. Use linode-cli linodes --help for a complete list.

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