Kestra CLI Guide - kestractl vs Kestra Server CLI
Use this section to choose the right CLI for the task and jump to the full command references.
Choose the right CLI
Kestra provides two command-line interfaces with different scopes:
| CLI | Best for | Scope |
|---|---|---|
kestractl | Day-to-day platform operations through the API | Covers flows, executions, namespaces, and namespace files, with capabilities aligned with what the Kestra API supports. |
kestra (Server CLI) | Runtime and infrastructure operations | Covers server startup and component processes (server commands), system/database operations, plugin lifecycle, and maintenance tasks that require direct access to the runtime environment and backend services. |
In short, use kestractl for API-level resource management and automation, and use the Kestra Server CLI for server, process or database operations.
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