Command-line Reference

Anka CLI Reference
One of the most common problems when getting started is the usage of sudo for anka commands. Anka will run for all users on a machine, but they will have isolated environments. If you create an Anka VM Template/Tag as UserA, sudo/root will not be able to see or use them. Also, the Anka Build Cloud Controller will start VMs as root, so be sure to clean up any VM Templates and Tags you have under UserA or else the disk space will become a problem. It’s suggested to just run all anka commands as root.
> anka  --help
usage: anka [options] <command>

   Anka command line tool

options:
  -j,--machine-readable    Output a machine readable format (JSON)
  --version                Output the Anka version

commands:
  list                     List local VM library
  config                   Manage the CLI configuration
  show                     Show a VM's properties
  modify                   Modify a VM parameters
  view                     Open VM display
  run                      Run a command inside of a VM
  create                   Creates a VM Template
  start                    Start or resume a VM
  stop                     Shut down a VM(s)
  clone                    Clone a VM
  push                     Push a VM to the registry
  pull                     Pull a VM template from the registry
  reboot                   Reboot a running VM(s)
  delete                   Delete a VM(s) and tags
  registry                 Configure and control template registries
  cp                       Copy files in/out of the Anka VM and host
  license                  Manage licenses

List

> anka list --help
usage: list [options] [vm...]

   List local VM library

arguments:
  vm                       Particulat VM(s) to list, all by default

options:
  -a,--all                 Show all the VMs including cached ones
  -f,--field <val>         Specify the fields displayed for the VM
❯ anka list                        
+----------------------+--------------------------------------+---------------------+---------+
| name                 | uuid                                 | creation_date       | status  |
+----------------------+--------------------------------------+---------------------+---------+
| 12.2.0-arm (vanilla) | a6f24306-2af7-45ed-9d70-3a3c1ee7f03a | Jan 6 12:34:52 2022 | stopped |
+----------------------+--------------------------------------+---------------------+---------+
| test_vm1             | 565e47ce-a9f9-4ac8-81bc-645d48473de1 | Jan 6 12:34:52 2022 | stopped |
+----------------------+--------------------------------------+---------------------+---------+

❯ anka --machine-readable list | jq
{
  "status": "OK",
  "body": [
    {
      "name": "12.2.0-arm",
      "uuid": "a6f24306-2af7-45ed-9d70-3a3c1ee7f03a",
      "creation_date": "2022-01-06T12:34:52Z",
      "version": "vanilla",
      "status": "stopped"
    },
    {
      "name": "test_vm1",
      "uuid": "565e47ce-a9f9-4ac8-81bc-645d48473de1",
      "creation_date": "2022-01-06T12:34:52Z",
      "status": "stopped"
    }
  ]
}

❯ anka --machine-readable list --field name --field version | jq
{
  "status": "OK",
  "body": [
    {
      "name": "12.2.0-arm",
      "version": "vanilla"
    },
    {
      "name": "test_vm1"
    }
  ]
}

Config

> anka config --help
usage: config [options] [param...]

   Manage the CLI configuration

arguments:
  param                    Parameter name

options:
  -l,--list                List parameter(s)
  -r,--reset               Reset parameter(s) back to default
❯ anka config                                                   
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| addons_disk_tool            | /Library/Application Support/Veertu/Anka/guestaddons/create_update_disk.sh        |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| addons_identifier           | ANKA_ADDONS_IDENTIFIER                                                            |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| addons_image                | /Library/Application Support/Veertu/Anka/guestaddons/anka-addons-mac              |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| addons_pkg                  | com.veertu.anka.guestaddons.pkg                                                   |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| addons_postupdate           | /Library/Application Support/Veertu/Anka/guestaddons/postupdate.sh                |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| adresses_per_byte           | 250                                                                               |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| allow_nonunique_names       | False                                                                             |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| anka_executable             | /Library/Application Support/Veertu/Anka/bin/headless.app/Contents/MacOS/headless |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| anka_image_maker_executable | /Library/Application Support/Veertu/Anka/bin/anka_image                           |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| anka_viewer                 | /Applications/Anka.app                                                            |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| ankacp_executable           | /Library/Application Support/Veertu/Anka/bin/ankacp                               |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| ankactl_executable          | /Library/Application Support/Veertu/Anka/bin/ankactl                              |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| ankanet_sock                | /var/run/ankanetd                                                                 |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| block_nocache               | 1                                                                                 |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| bridge_name                 |                                                                                   |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| ca_bundle                   | /Users/m1mini/.anka/ca-bundle.crt                                                 |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| chunk_size                  | 0                                                                                 |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| config_path                 | /Library/Application Support/Veertu/Anka:~/.anka/settings.ini                     |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| default_disk                | 137438953472                                                                      |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| default_format              | 1                                                                                 |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| default_nvcpu               | 4                                                                                 |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| default_passwd              | admin                                                                             |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| default_ram                 | 4294967296                                                                        |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| default_user                | anka                                                                              |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| delete_logs                 | 1                                                                                 |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| exit_delay                  | 5                                                                                 |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| fvutil_executable           | /Library/Application Support/Veertu/Anka/bin/fvutil                               |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| img_lib_dir                 | /Users/m1mini/Library/Application Support/Veertu/Anka/img_lib                     |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| io_threads                  | 0                                                                                 |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| log_dir                     | /Users/m1mini/Library/Logs/Anka/                                                  |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| log_file                    | anka.log                                                                          |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| mac_random_bytes            | 2                                                                                 |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| max_vms_allowed             | 255                                                                               |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| mitigations                 | 0                                                                                 |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| nice                        | 0                                                                                 |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| operations_timeout          | 300                                                                               |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| options_api_url             | https://8ewgf8mtn4.execute-api.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod/key/info              |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| permanent_mac_prefix        | 86,69,69                                                                          |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| portfwd_base                | 10000                                                                             |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| process_type                | Interactive                                                                       |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| product_root                | /Library/Application Support/Veertu/Anka                                          |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| propagate_license           | 0                                                                                 |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| propagate_name              | 0                                                                                 |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| pull_checkout               | 1                                                                                 |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| puller_threads              | 4                                                                                 |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| qncpu                       | 0                                                                                 |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| quantum                     | 0                                                                                 |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| qvcpu                       | 0                                                                                 |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| registry_remotes_file_path  | /Users/m1mini/.anka/remote                                                        |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| state_lib_dir               | /Users/m1mini/Library/Application Support/Veertu/Anka/img_lib                     |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| table_fmt                   | grid                                                                              |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| time_sync                   | 1                                                                                 |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| trim_disk                   | 1                                                                                 |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| uhost_executable            | /Library/Application Support/Veertu/Anka/bin/uhost                                |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| vlaunch_sock                | /var/run/vlaunchd                                                                 |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| vlaunch_sock_gui            | ~/.anka/vlaunchd                                                                  |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| vm_lib_dir                  | /Users/m1mini/Library/Application Support/Veertu/Anka/vm_lib                      |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| vm_lock_dir                 | /Users/m1mini/Library/Application Support/Veertu/Anka/vm_lib/.locks               |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| vnc_password                | admin                                                                             |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
❯ anka config puller_threads
4

❯ anka config puller_threads 10

❯ anka config puller_threads
10

Show

> anka show --help
usage: show [options] vmid <command>

   Show a VM's properties

arguments:
  vmid                     VM identifier or name

options:
  -t,--tag <val>           Specify VM tag, current by default

commands:
  name                     VM name
  uuid                     VM UUID
  description              VM description
  tag                      Local VM tags
  cpu                      vCPU parameters
  ram                      RAM size and parameters
  display                  Display information
  disk                     Disk information
  network                  Network information
  port                     Port forwarding rules
  label                    Show assigned VM labels
❯ anka show 12.2.0-arm                   
+---------+--------------------------------------+
| uuid    | a6f24306-2af7-45ed-9d70-3a3c1ee7f03a |
+---------+--------------------------------------+
| name    | 12.2.0-arm (vanilla)                 |
+---------+--------------------------------------+
| created | Jan 6 12:34:52 2022                  |
+---------+--------------------------------------+
| vcpu    | 4 ARM                                |
+---------+--------------------------------------+
| ram     | 4G                                   |
+---------+--------------------------------------+
| display | 1024x768                             |
+---------+--------------------------------------+
| disk    | 128GiB (17.72GiB on disk)            |
+---------+--------------------------------------+
| addons  | 3.0.0.135.13568747                   |
+---------+--------------------------------------+
| network | shared                               |
+---------+--------------------------------------+
| status  | stopped Jan 6 18:10:17 2022          |
+---------+--------------------------------------+

❯ anka --machine-readable show 12.2.0-arm | jq
{
  "status": "OK",
  "body": {
    "uuid": "a6f24306-2af7-45ed-9d70-3a3c1ee7f03a",
    "name": "12.2.0-arm",
    "version": "vanilla",
    "creation_date": "2022-01-06T12:34:52Z",
    "cpu_cores": 4,
    "cpu_frequency": 0,
    "cpu_htt": false,
    "arch": 2,
    "ram": "4294967296",
    "ram_size": 4294967296,
    "frame_buffers": 1,
    "hard_drive": 137438953472,
    "encrypted": false,
    "image_size": 19035295744,
    "addons_version": "3.0.0.135.13568747",
    "stop_date": "2022-01-06T18:10:17Z",
    "status": "stopped"
  }
}

❯ anka --machine-readable show 12.2.0-arm --tag v2 | jq                     
{
  "status": "OK",
  "body": {
    "uuid": "a6f24306-2af7-45ed-9d70-3a3c1ee7f03a",
    "name": "12.2.0-arm",
    "version": "v2",
    "creation_date": "2022-01-14T12:18:31Z",
    "cpu_cores": 4,
    "cpu_frequency": 0,
    "cpu_htt": false,
    "arch": 2,
    "ram": "4294967296",
    "ram_size": 4294967296,
    "frame_buffers": 1,
    "hard_drive": 137438953472,
    "encrypted": false,
    "image_size": 19528679424,
    "addons_version": "3.0.0.135.13568747",
    "stop_date": "2022-01-14T17:19:08Z",
    "status": "stopped"
  }
}

show {name/uuid} name

> anka show 12.4 name --help

show {name/uuid} uuid

> anka show 12.4 uuid --help

show {name/uuid} description

> anka show 12.4 description --help

show {name/uuid} tag

> anka show 12.4 tag --help
usage: tag [options]

   Local VM tags

options:
  --current                Show the currently checked out tag

show {name/uuid} cpu

> anka show 12.4 cpu --help

show {name/uuid} ram

> anka show 12.4 ram --help

show {name/uuid} display

> anka show 12.4 display --help

show {name/uuid} disk

> anka show 12.4 disk --help

show {name/uuid} network

> anka show 12.4 network --help

show {name/uuid} port

> anka show 12.4 port --help

show {name/uuid} label

> anka show 12.4 label --help
usage: label [name]

   Show assigned VM labels

arguments:
  name                     Show particular label value

Modify

> anka modify --help
usage: modify vmid <command>

   Modify a VM parameters

arguments:
  vmid                     Virtual machine to modify

commands:
  add                      Add new items to a VM configuration
  delete                   Remove items from a VM configuration
  name                     Set new name for the VM
  cpu                      Set number of vcpu cores and frequency
  ram                      Set RAM size and parameters
  network                  Modify network card settings
  port                     Add port forwarding rule
  disk                     Modify hard drive settings
  display                  Configure displays
  label                    Assign labels to a VM in key/value form

modify {name/uuid} add

> anka modify 12.4 add --help
usage: add <command>

   Add new items to a VM configuration

commands:
  network                  Modify network card settings
  disk                     Modify hard drive settings
  port                     Add port forwarding rule
  label                    Assign labels to a VM in key/value form

modify {name/uuid} add network

> anka modify 12.4 add network --help
usage: network-card,network [options]

   Modify network card settings

options:
  -t,--mode <val>          network mode: shared/host/bridge/disconnected
  -b,--bridge <val>        host interface name to bridge with in the bridge mode, or "auto"
  -m,--mac <val>           specify fixed MAC address, or "auto"
  -v,--vlan <val>          assign VLAN ID, 0 to deassign
  -c,--controller <val>    set controller: anet, virtio-net
  --local                  enable (default) inter-VM and VM-host communication
  --no-local               disable inter-VM and VM-host communication

modify {name/uuid} add disk

> anka modify 12.4 add disk --help
usage: hard-drive,disk [options]

   Modify hard drive settings

options:
  -c,--controller <val>    set controller: ablk/virtio-blk
  -s,--size <val>          set disk size (supported suffixes: T|G|M|K)
  -f,--file <val>          assign external image or device
  --ro                     mark the image as read-only for the VM
  --rw                     mark the image as writable (default) for the VM

modify {name/uuid} add port

> anka modify 12.4 add port --help
usage: port-forwarding,port [options] name

   Add port forwarding rule

arguments:
  name                     Rule name

options:
  -g,--guest-port <val>    The port inside of the VM that the host-port connects to
  -p,--host-port <val>     The host port to listen on (assigns dynamically if not specified)
  -l,--host-ip <val>       The IP to bind the host port with (defaults to any)
  -d,--delete              Delete the rule
  --set-name <val>         Rename the rule
❯ anka modify 12.2.0-arm add port --guest-port 22 ssh

❯ anka show 12.2.0-arm network           
+------------+------------+
| mode       | shared     |
+------------+------------+
| controller | virtio-net |
+------------+------------+

port_forwarding_rules:
+------+----------+------------+
| name | protocol | guest_port |
+------+----------+------------+
| ssh  | tcp      | 22         |
+------+----------+------------+

❯ anka start 12.2.0-arm

❯ anka show 12.2.0-arm network
+------------+-------------------+
| mode       | shared            |
+------------+-------------------+
| controller | virtio-net        |
+------------+-------------------+
| mac        | ce:73:f0:49:b1:3d |
+------------+-------------------+

port_forwarding_rules:
+------+----------+---------+------------+-----------+
| name | protocol | host_ip | guest_port | host_port |
+------+----------+---------+------------+-----------+
| ssh  | tcp      | 0.0.0.0 | 22         | 10000     |
+------+----------+---------+------------+-----------+

❯ ssh anka@localhost -p 10000
Password:
Last login: Fri Jan 14 17:46:28 2022
anka@12-1-0-arm ~ % 

modify {name/uuid} add label

> anka modify 12.4 add label --help
usage: label [options] [name] [value]

   Assign labels to a VM in key/value form

arguments:
  name                     Label name
  value                    Value of the label

options:
  -d,--delete              Delete the label(s)
  --set-name               Rename the label to the value

modify {name/uuid} delete

> anka modify 12.4 delete --help
usage: delete <command>

   Remove items from a VM configuration

commands:
  network                  Remove network card
  disk                     Remove disk
  port                     Remove port forwarding rule
  label                    Remove labels

modify {name/uuid} delete network

> anka modify 12.4 delete network --help

modify {name/uuid} delete disk

> anka modify 12.4 delete disk --help
usage: hard-drive,disk index

   Remove disk

arguments:
  index                    Index of the disk to remove

modify {name/uuid} delete port

> anka modify 12.4 delete port --help
usage: port-forwarding,port [options] [rule...]

   Remove port forwarding rule

arguments:
  rule                     Name of the port forwarding rule

options:
  -a,--all                 Remove all the port fowarding rules

modify {name/uuid} delete label

> anka modify 12.4 delete label --help
usage: label [options] [label...]

   Remove labels

arguments:
  label                    Labels to delete

options:
  -a,--all                 Delete all the labels assigned

modify {name/uuid} name

> anka modify 12.4 name --help
usage: name name

   Set new name for the VM

arguments:
  name                     New name

modify {name/uuid} cpu

> anka modify 12.4 cpu --help
usage: cpu [options] [vcpu]

   Set number of vcpu cores and frequency

arguments:
  vcpu                     Number of vcpu cores

options:
  -c,--cores <val>         Number of vcpu cores
  -f,--frequency <val>     Set the base vcpu frequency (Hz)

modify {name/uuid} ram

> anka modify 12.4 ram --help
usage: ram [size]

   Set RAM size and parameters

arguments:
  size                     Size of RAM (supported suffixes: T|G|M|K)

modify {name/uuid} network

> anka modify 12.4 network --help
usage: network [options]

   Modify network card settings

options:
  -t,--mode <val>          network mode: shared/host/bridge/disconnected
  -b,--bridge <val>        host interface name to bridge with in the bridge mode, or "auto"
  -m,--mac <val>           specify fixed MAC address, or "auto"
  -v,--vlan <val>          assign VLAN ID, 0 to deassign
  -c,--controller <val>    set controller: anet, virtio-net
  --local                  enable (default) inter-VM and VM-host communication
  --no-local               disable inter-VM and VM-host communication
TypeDescription
sharedThe default network type operating as NAT + DHCP. Every VM after the start/resume gets an IP address assigned by the internal DHCP server in range 192.168.64.2 - 192.168.64.254. Programs inside a VM can access external networks (outside the host) and the internet directly. Also, other VMs on the host are also accessible.
host
Not currently supported.
bridgeThe Bridged type will cause the VM to show in the network as an individual device and receive a unique IP separate from the host.
An ENV is available to set the interface name: ANKA_BRIDGE_NAME=en0
When using the bridge, port-forwarding is not necessary as the VM will receive a unique IP that will be accessible directly to all other devices on the network.
By default, DHCP will not see your VM’s MAC address. You’ll need to enable --direct-mac for the network-card: anka modify VmName set network-card 0 --type bridged --direct-mac
You cannot use bridged networking over Wifi.
disconnectedThe VM will have a disconnected network cable.
❯ anka --machine-readable describe 12.2.0-arm | jq '.body.network_cards'
[
  {
    "type": "virtio-net",
    "mode": "shared",
    "port_forwarding_rules": [
      {
        "name": "ssh",
        "protocol": "tcp",
        "guest_port": 22
      }
    ]
  }
]

❯ anka modify 12.2.0-arm network --mode bridge

❯ anka --machine-readable describe 12.2.0-arm | jq '.body.network_cards'
[
  {
    "mode": "bridge",
    "controller": "virtio-net"
  }
]

modify {name/uuid} port

> anka modify 12.4 port --help
usage: port [options] name

   Add port forwarding rule

arguments:
  name                     Rule name

options:
  -g,--guest-port <val>    The port inside of the VM that the host-port connects to
  -p,--host-port <val>     The host port to listen on (assigns dynamically if not specified)
  -l,--host-ip <val>       The IP to bind the host port with (defaults to any)
  -d,--delete              Delete the rule
  --set-name <val>         Rename the rule

modify {name/uuid} disk

> anka modify 12.4 disk --help
usage: disk [options]

   Modify hard drive settings

options:
  -c,--controller <val>    set controller: ablk/virtio-blk
  -s,--size <val>          set disk size (supported suffixes: T|G|M|K)
  -f,--file <val>          assign external image or device
  --ro                     mark the image as read-only for the VM
  --rw                     mark the image as writable (default) for the VM
In Anka 3.x, changing the internal disk size to consume the free space anka modify disk adds is not possible. We are working on adding it, but for now we recommend creating/re-creating your VM templates with the necessary and generous amounts of space.

modify {name/uuid} display

> anka modify 12.4 display --help
usage: display [options]

   Configure displays

options:
  -n,--count <val>         Configure number of displays (2 max)
  --headless               same as --count 0
  -p,--password            Prompt for VNC password, or get if from the ANKA_VNC_PASSWORD env
  --vnc <val>              Configure VNC: on/off/address
  --no-vnc                 Disable VNC access to the VM
  -d,--dpi <val>           Set DPI (default is 72)
  -r,--resolution <val>    Set resolution, e.g. 1024x768 or 'default' to reset to default
  -f,--fps <val>           Set refresh rate (30fps by default)
  -c,--controller <val>    Set video controller: fbuf/pg
  --host-gpu-location <val>
                           Specify location of the host GPU to use, or 'any'
  --host-gpu-name <val>    Specify name of the host GPU to use, or 'any'
  --features <val>         Specify extended features flags as a bit mask

modify {name/uuid} label

> anka modify 12.4 label --help
usage: label [options] [name] [value]

   Assign labels to a VM in key/value form

arguments:
  name                     Label name
  value                    Value of the label

options:
  -d,--delete              Delete the label(s)
  --set-name               Rename the label to the value

View

> anka view --help
usage: view [options] vmid

   Open VM display

arguments:
  vmid                     VM to view

options:
  -d,--display <val>       Specify the display(s) to view
  -s,--screenshot          Take PNG screenshot
  --click                  Send HDI events
  --click-rec              Record HID events
  -o,--output <val>        Specify output file for the view operations

Run

> anka run --help
usage: run [options] vmid

   Run a command inside of a VM

arguments:
  vmid                     VM name or identifier (will be started if needed)

options:
  -D,-w,--workdir <val>    Working directory inside the VM
  -E                       Inherit the entire environment in non-overriding mode
  -e <val>                 Provide an environment variable in overriding mode
  -f,--env-file <val>      Provide environment variables from file
  -Q,--quiet               Suppress the stdout from the command
  -b,--background          Run the command in background returning PID to wait with 'wait [PID...]' command
Note: anka run will start a shell and source the default locations for macOS.

❯ anka show 12.2.0-arm | grep status
| status  | stopped Oct 19 07:34:43 2021         |

❯ anka run 12.2.0-arm hostname
12-2-0-arm.local

❯ anka show 12.2.0-arm | grep status
| status  | running since Oct 19 07:34:59 2021   |

❯ anka run 12.2.0-arm bash -c "env"           
SHELL=/bin/zsh
TMPDIR=/var/folders/3f/1zss6fl15db6k9bhvcrw4wcr0000gn/T/
USER=anka
SSH_AUTH_SOCK=/private/tmp/com.apple.launchd.xZYuuCeCwR/Listeners
__CF_USER_TEXT_ENCODING=0x1F5:0x0:0x0
PATH=/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin:/bin:/usr/sbin:/sbin
PWD=/Users/anka
XPC_FLAGS=0x0
XPC_SERVICE_NAME=com.veertu.anka.addons.ankarun
SHLVL=1
HOME=/Users/anka
LOGNAME=root
_=/usr/bin/env

❯ TEST=123 anka run -e TEST 12.2.0-arm bash -c "env | grep TEST && echo \${TEST}"
TEST=123
123

Create

> anka create --help
usage: create [options] name

   Creates a VM Template

arguments:
  name                     VM name

options:
  -m,--ram-size <val>      Specify the VM RAM size (supported suffixes: T|G|M|K)
  -c,--cpu-count <val>     Specify the number of vCPU cores for the VM (3 or more is recommended)
  -d,--disk-size <val>     Specify the VM disk size (supported suffixes: T|G|M|K)
  -a,--app <val>           Path or URL (or 'latest' to dowload the latest version) to the macOS restore image
  • We recommend naming your initial VM after the version of macOS.

  • Remember that VM templates are created under a specific user and will not be available to other users.

  • By default, 2vCPUs is not enough and will cause instability inside of the VM. VCPUs are determined by taking the physical performance cores and multiplying by 2. This means you can set the CPU on creation for an M1 mini with 4 physical perf cores to anka create --cpu-count 4, and run two VMs per host (8vCPUs available).

❯ anka create -a latest 12.2.0-arm
Installing UniversalMac_12.1_21C52_Restore.ipsw...
######################################################################## 100.0%
00c44c30-174a-4266-8833-89d6975754bd

Start

> anka start --help
usage: start [options] vmid

   Start or resume a VM

arguments:
  vmid                     VM to start

options:
  -f,--force               Start VM with minimum checks
  -q,--quiet               Minimize output
  -v,--view                Open VM in an Anka window
  -u,--update-addons       Start in (auto)update mode

Stop

> anka stop --help
usage: stop [options] [vmid...]

   Shut down a VM(s)

arguments:
  vmid                     VMs to stop

options:
  -a,--all                 Shutdown all running VMs
  -f,--force               Forcefully stop the VM(s)

Clone

> anka clone --help
usage: clone [options] vmid [name...]

   Clone a VM

arguments:
  vmid                     VM to clone
  name                     New VM name(s)

options:
  -c,--copy                Create an independent copy
  -t,--tag <val>           Clone particular VM tag (should be available locally)

Push

> anka push --help
usage: push [options] vmid

   Push a VM to the registry

arguments:
  vmid                     VM to push

options:
  -t,--tag <val>           Set the tag name to push
  -v,--remote-vm <val>     Registry template to push the tag onto
  -d,--description <val>   Set textual description of the tag
  -f,--force               Forcefully push, regardless of a tag already existing
  -l,--local               Commit the template without pushing it to the Registry
  -s,--shallow             Include all the changes of an older tags
  -q,--quiet               Do not show progress
  -r,--registry <val>      Sets an alternate registry

Pull

> anka pull --help
usage: pull [options] vmid

   Pull a VM template from the registry

arguments:
  vmid                     VM to pull

options:
  -t,--tag <val>           Pull the particular tag (latest if not specfied)
  -l,--local               Checkout (make it current) local tag
  --fetch-only             Download tag without checkout
  -s,--shrink              Delete other local tags to optimize disk usage
  --check-download-size    Get the particular tag size (latest if not specfied)
  -q,--quiet               Do not show progress
  -r,--registry <val>      Sets an alternate registry

Reboot

> anka reboot --help
usage: reboot [options] [vmid...]

   Reboot a running VM(s)

arguments:
  vmid                     VMs to reboot

options:
  -a,--all                 Reboot all running VMs

Delete

> anka delete --help
usage: delete [options] [vmid...]

   Delete a VM(s) and tags

arguments:
  vmid                     VM to delete

options:
  -a,--all                 Delete all VMs in library
  -t,--tag <val>           Specify local tag to delete
  --yes                    Do not expect user confirmation of the operation
  --cache                  Delete temporary cache and ophran images

Registry

> anka registry --help
usage: registry [options] <command>

   Configure and control template registries

options:
  -r,--remote <val>        Sets an alternate registry
  --insecure               Skip TLS verification
  --cert <val>             Path to a client certificate (if user authentication is configured)
  --key <val>              Path to prvate key if the client certificate doesn't contain one
  --cacert <val>           Use custom CA certificates location (default is /etc/ssl/certs)

commands:
  list-repos               List registries configured
  add                      Add a registry
  set                      Set default registry
  remove                   Remove a registry from the configuration
  list                     List templates in registry (see anka-push/pull commands)
  show                     Show a template's properties
  revert                   Delete a template or tag

registry list-repos

> anka registry list-repos --help
usage: list-repos [options] [name]

   List registries configured

arguments:
  name                     Show URL of the registry specified

options:
  -d,--default             Show the default registry name

registry add

> anka registry add --help
usage: add [options] name url

   Add a registry

arguments:
  name                     Registry name
  url                      Registry URL

options:
  -f,--force               Do not perform a connectivity checks for the url

registry set

> anka registry set --help
usage: set [options] name [url]

   Set default registry

arguments:
  name                     Set default registry
  url                      Registry URL if specified will be assigned to name

options:
  -f,--force               Do not perform a connectivity checks for the url
  --cert <val>             Path to a client certificate (if user authentication is configured)
  --key <val>              Path to a private key if the client certificate doesn't contain one
  --cacert <val>           Use custom CA certificates location (default is /etc/ssl/certs)

registry remove

> anka registry remove --help
usage: remove [options] [name...]

   Remove a registry from the configuration

arguments:
  name                     Registry name

options:
  -a,--all                 Forget all registries

registry list

> anka registry list --help

registry show

> anka registry show --help
usage: show [options] vmid <command>

   Show a template's properties

arguments:
  vmid                     Template identifier or name

options:
  -t,--tag <val>           Specify template tag, latest by default

commands:
  name                     Template name
  uuid                     Template UUID
  description              Template description
  tag                      Show template tags
  cpu                      vCPU parameters
  ram                      RAM size and parameters
  display                  Display information
  disk                     Disk information
  network                  Network information
  port                     Port forwarding rules
  label                    Assigned template labels

registry show {name/uuid} name

> anka registry show 12.4 name --help

registry show {name/uuid} uuid

> anka registry show 12.4 uuid --help

registry show {name/uuid} description

> anka registry show 12.4 description --help

registry show {name/uuid} tag

> anka registry show 12.4 tag --help
usage: tag [options]

   Show template tags

options:
  --latest                 Show the latest tag name

registry show {name/uuid} cpu

> anka registry show 12.4 cpu --help

registry show {name/uuid} ram

> anka registry show 12.4 ram --help

registry show {name/uuid} display

> anka registry show 12.4 display --help

registry show {name/uuid} disk

> anka registry show 12.4 disk --help

registry show {name/uuid} network

> anka registry show 12.4 network --help

registry show {name/uuid} port

> anka registry show 12.4 port --help

registry show {name/uuid} label

> anka registry show 12.4 label --help
usage: label [label]

   Assigned template labels

arguments:
  label                    Show particular label value

registry revert

> anka registry revert --help
usage: revert [options] vmid

   Delete a template or tag

arguments:
  vmid                     Template identifier or name

options:
  -t,--tag <val>           Delete particular template tag or latest by default
  -a,--all                 Delete entire template from registry
  --yes                    Do not expect user confirmation of the operation

Cp

> anka cp --help
usage: cp [options]

   Copy files in/out of the Anka VM and host

options:
  -R                       copy the src and its entire subtree to the dst
  -L                       all symbolic links are followed
  -H                       symbolic links in the command are followed
  -P                       do not follow a symbolic links (default)
  -f                       remove and create the dst file on open failure
  -n                       do not overwrite an existing file.
  -p                       preserve the source file attributes
  -a                       same as -pPR options
  -v                       cause cp to be verbose, showing files as they are copied
❯ time anka cp ~/VirtualBox\ VMs/cloud-client-side-ha-1/cloud-client-side-ha-1.vdi 10.15.6:/Users/anka/
anka --debug cp  10.15.6:/Users/anka/  0.86s user 20.60s system 4% cpu 8:53.85 total

Compare the ~9 minutes it takes for anka cp to how much it takes to transfer the same file with scp:

❯ time scp -P 10000 -v ~/VirtualBox\ VMs/cloud-client-side-ha-1/cloud-client-side-ha-1.vdi anka@192.168.0.110:/Users/anka/
scp -P 10000 -v  anka@192.168.0.110:/Users/anka/  110.61s user 60.88s system 22% cpu 12:46.30 total

License

> anka license --help
usage: license <command>

   Manage licenses

commands:
  show                     Show license information
  activate                 Activate license key
  validate                 Validate the current license
  remove                   Remove the current license
  accept-eula              Accept EULA

license show

> anka license show --help
usage: show [options]

   Show license information

options:
  -k,--key <val>           Get key information

license activate

> anka license activate --help
usage: activate [options] key

   Activate license key

arguments:
  key                      Activation key

options:
  -f,--force               Silently override the current license
  --cid <val>              Submit the CustomerID

license validate

> anka license validate --help

license remove

> anka license remove --help

license accept-eula

> anka license accept-eula --help