# Log into a Virtual Machine

**prlctl enter** <*vm\_id* | *vm\_name*>

Logs in to the virtual machine. The command creates a command prompt channel to a virtual machine and allows you to execute commands in it. Parallels Tools must be installed in the virtual machine.

#### Optional Parameters

**--current-user** or **--user** <*user\_name*>

Include the **--current-user** option to log in as the user currently logged in inside the guest OS, or use the **--user** parameter and specify a user name.

**--password** \<password>

The user password.


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# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.parallels.com/landing/parallels-desktop-developers-guide/command-line-interface-utility/manage-virtual-machines-from-cli/general-virtual-machine-management/log-into-a-virtual-machine.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.