# Using the built-in Terminal

Updated February 23, 2026

Most things on umbrelOS can be done through the UI — and we're working to make that _everything_. But if you ever need to run a command for troubleshooting or advanced configuration, there's a built-in terminal right in your browser. No SSH setup needed. You'll find it in **Settings > Advanced settings > Terminal**.

## [umbrelOS terminal](/content/support/advanced/using-the-built-in-terminal#umbrelos-terminal/index.html)

Select **umbrelOS** to open a terminal session on your Umbrel's operating system. This gives you a standard Linux command line where you can run commands, inspect logs, manage files, and troubleshoot issues.

## [App terminal](/content/support/advanced/using-the-built-in-terminal#app-terminal/index.html)

Select **App** to open a terminal session inside a specific app's container. Choose the app you want from the list. This is useful for running app-specific commands, checking configs, or debugging an app without affecting the rest of your system.

The app terminal connects you to the app's main container, but some apps run multiple services (like a database alongside the main app). If you need to access a specific container, you can use `sudo docker exec` from the umbrelOS terminal instead.

## [Tips](/content/support/advanced/using-the-built-in-terminal#tips/index.html)

- On mobile or tablet, use the **Paste** button to paste commands into the terminal since touch devices don't support direct keyboard pasting.
- The terminal runs as the `umbrel` user. Use `sudo` for commands that require elevated permissions. If prompted for a password, use your Umbrel login password.
- Changes to the operating system (like packages installed with `apt`) are not persisted across restarts. Your files and app data are preserved, but OS-level modifications will be reset. If you want to run services that aren't available in the App Store, consider [adding a community app store](/content/support/apps/how-to-add-a-community-app-store/index.html) or [running custom Docker containers with Portainer](/content/support/apps/running-custom-docker-containers/index.html).