---
id: python-cli
title: Meshtastic Python CLI Guide
slug: /software/python/cli
sidebar_label: Python CLI
sidebar_position: 4
---

The python pip package installs a "meshtastic" command line executable, which displays packets sent over the network as JSON and lets you see serial debugging information from the meshtastic devices. This command is not run inside of python, you run it from your operating system shell prompt directly. If when you type "meshtastic" it doesn't find the command and you are using Windows: Check that the python "scripts" directory is in your path.

## Optional Arguments

### -h or --help

Shows a help message that describes the arguments.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic -h
```
### --export-config

Export the configuration of the device. (to be consumed by the '--configure' command).

To create to a file with the connected device's configuration, this command's output must be piped to a yaml file.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --export-config > example_config.yaml
```

```title="Usage"shell
meshtastic --export-config
```

### --configure

Configure radio using a yaml file.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --configure example_config.yaml
```

### --port PORT

The port the Meshtastic device is connected to, i.e. `/dev/ttyUSB0`, `/dev/cu.wchusbserial`, `COM4` etc. if unspecified, meshtastic will try to find it. Important to use when multiple devices are connected to ensure you call the command for the correct device.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --port /dev/ttyUSB0 --info
meshtastic --port COM4 --info
```

### --host HOST

The hostname/ipaddr of the device to connect to (over TCP).

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --host HOST
```

### --seriallog SERIALLOG

Logs device serial output to either 'stdout', 'none' or a filename to append to.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --port /dev/ttyUSB0 --seriallog
```

### --info

Read and display the radio config information.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --port /dev/ttyUSB0 --info
```

### --set-canned-message

Set the canned message plugin messages separated by pipes `|` (up to 200 characters).

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --set-canned-message "I need an alpinist!|Call Me|Roger Roger|Keep Calm|On my way"
```

### --get-canned-message

Show the canned message plugin message.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --get-canned-message
```

### --set-ringtone RINGTONE

Set the Notification Ringtone (up to 230 characters).

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --set-ringtone "LeisureSuit:d=16,o=6,b=56:f.5,f#.5,g.5,g#5,32a#5,f5,g#.5,a#.5,32f5,g#5,32a#5,g#5,8c#.,a#5,32c#,a5,a#.5,c#.,32a5,a#5,32c#,d#,8e,c#.,f.,f.,f.,f.,f,32e,d#,8d,a#.5,e,32f,e,32f,c#,d#.,c#"
```

### --get-ringtone

Show the stored ringtone.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --get-ringtone
```

### --nodes

Prints a node list in a pretty, formatted table.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --nodes
```

### --qr

Displays the QR code that corresponds to the current channel.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --qr
```

### --get [config_section]

Gets a preferences field.

Configuration values are described in: [Configuration](https://meshtastic.org/docs/configuration).

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --get lora
meshtastic --get lora.region
```

### --set [config_section].[option]&nbsp; [value]

Sets a preferences field.

Configuration values are described in: [Configuration](https://meshtastic.org/docs/configuration).

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --set lora.region Unset
```

### --seturl SETURL

Set a channel URL.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --seturl https://www.meshtastic.org/c/GAMiIE67C6zsNmlWQ-KE1tKt0fRKFciHka-DShI6G7ElvGOiKgZzaGFyZWQ=
```

### --ch-index CH_INDEX

Set the specified channel index.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --ch-index 1 --ch-disable
```

### --ch-add CH_ADD

Add a secondary channel, you must specify a channel name.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --ch-add testing-channel
```

### --ch-del

Delete the ch-index channel.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --ch-index 1 --ch-del
```

### --ch-enable

Enable the specified channel.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --ch-index 1 --ch-enable
```

### --ch-disable

Disable the specified channel.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --ch-index 1 --ch-disable
```

### --ch-set CH_SET CH_SET

Set a channel parameter.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --ch-set id 1234 --ch-index 0
```

### --ch-vlongslow

Change modem preset to `VERY_LONG_SLOW`.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --ch-vlongslow
```

### --ch-longslow

Change modem preset to `LONG_SLOW`.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --ch-longslow
```

### --ch-longfast

Change modem preset to (the default) `LONG_FAST`.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --ch-longfast
```

### --ch-medslow

Change modem preset to `MEDIUM_SLOW`.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --ch-medslow
```

### --ch-medfast

Change modem preset to `MEDIUM_FAST`.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --ch-medfast
```

### --ch-shortslow

Change modem preset to `SHORT_SLOW`.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --ch-shortslow
```

### --ch-shortfast

Change modem preset to `SHORT_FAST`.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --ch-shortfast
```

### --set-owner SET_OWNER

Set device owner name.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --set-owner "MeshyJohn"
```

### --set-owner-short SET_OWNER_SHORT

Set device owner short name (4 characters max).

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --set-owner-short "MJ"
```

### --set-ham SET_HAM

Set licensed Ham ID and turn off encryption.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --set-ham KI1345
```

### --dest DEST

The destination node id for any sent commands.  Used for [Remote Node Administration](/docs/configuration/remote-admin)

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --dest '!28979058' --set-owner "MeshyJohn"
```

### --sendtext SENDTEXT

Send a text message. Can specify a channel index ('--ch-index') or a destination ('--dest').

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --sendtext "Hello Mesh!"
```

### --sendping

Send a ping message (which requests a reply).

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --sendping
```

### --traceroute TRACEROUTE

Traceroute from connected node to a destination. You need pass the destination ID as an argument. Only nodes that have the encryption key can be traced.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --traceroute '!ba4bf9d0'
```

### --request-telemetry

Request telemetry from a node. You need to pass the destination ID as an argument with '--dest'. For repeaters, the nodeNum is required.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --request-telemetry --dest '!ba4bf9d0'
meshtastic --request-telemetry --dest 1828779180
```

### --ack

Used in combination with --sendtext to wait for an acknowledgment.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --sendtext "Hello Mesh!" --ack
```

### --reboot

Tell the node to reboot.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --reboot
```

### --shutdown

Tell the node to shutdown.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --shutdown
```

### --factory-reset

Tell the node to install the default config.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --factory-reset
```

### --reset-nodedb

Tell the node to clear its list of nodes.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --reset-nodedb
```

### --reply

Reply to received messages.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --reply
```

### --gpio-wrb GPIO_WRB GPIO_WRB

Set a particular GPIO # to 1 or 0.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --port /dev/ttyUSB0 --gpio-wrb 4 1 --dest '!28979058'
```

### --gpio-rd GPIO_RD

Read from a GPIO mask.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --port /dev/ttyUSB0 --gpio-rd 0x10 --dest '!28979058'
```

### --gpio-watch GPIO_WATCH

Start watching a GPIO mask for changes.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --port /dev/ttyUSB0 --gpio-watch 0x10 --dest '!28979058'
```

### --no-time

Suppress sending the current time to the mesh.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --port /dev/ttyUSB0 --no-time
```

### --setalt SETALT

Set device altitude (allows use without GPS).

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --setalt 120
```

### --setlat SETLAT

Set device latitude (allows use without GPS).

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --setlat 25.2
```

### --setlon SETLON

Set device longitude (allows use without GPS).

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --setlon -16.8
```

### --debug

Show API library debug log messages.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --debug --info
```

### --test

Run stress test against all connected Meshtastic devices.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --test
```

### --ble BLE

Connect to a Meshtastic device using its BLE address or name. This option allows for wireless communication with the device, similar to how the `--host` option is used for TCP connections.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --ble "device_name_or_address" --info
```

### --ble-scan

Scan for available Meshtastic devices using BLE. This command lists discoverable devices, providing a convenient method to identify devices for connection via BLE.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --ble-scan
```

### --noproto

Don't start the API, just function as a dumb serial terminal. Probably not very helpful from the command line. Used more for testing/internal needs.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --noproto
```

### --version

Show program's version number and exit.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --version
```

### --support

Print out info that would be helpful supporting any issues.

```shell title="Usage"
meshtastic --support
```