> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.parallels.com/landing/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.parallels.com/landing/parallels-desktop-developers-guide/command-line-interface-utility/manage-virtual-machines-from-cli.md).

# Manage Virtual Machines from CLI

The **prlctl** utility is used to perform management tasks on virtual machines. The utility supports a full range of tasks from creating and administering virtual machines to getting statistics and generating problem reports.

The general syntax is as follows:

**prlctl** *command* \<vm\_*ID* | *vm\_name>* \[*options*] \[**-v**, --**verbose** *number*]

The parameters are:

* *command*: one of the available commands.
* *vm\_ID* | *vm\_name*: ID or name of the target virtual machine.
* *options*: command options.
* **-v**, **--verbose** *number*: Show verbose output. The greater the number, the more verbose output will be produced.

The subsequent sections describe the available **prlctl** commands grouped by functionality.


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