nmcli

List all NetworkManager connections

$ nmcli connection

$ nmcli device

$ nmcli device wifi connect ssid --ask

$ nmcli device wifi

$ nmcli device wifi show-password

$ nmcli connection up connection_name

$ nmcli connection down connection_name

nmcli [OPTIONS] {general|networking|radio|connection|device|agent|monitor} [COMMAND] [ARGUMENTS]

nmcli is a command-line client for NetworkManager. It allows controlling NetworkManager and reporting network status, creating, editing, activating, and deactivating network connections, and managing network devices.

-t, --terse

Produce terse output suitable for scripts

Produce human-readable formatted output

Switch between output modes

Control colored output

Specify which fields/columns to output

Escape column separators in values

Prompt for missing parameters

Display passwords and secrets

Set timeout for operations

Work without NetworkManager daemon

general

Manage NetworkManager status, hostname, permissions, and logging

Control overall networking state and connectivity

Manage Wi-Fi and WWAN radio switches

Manage network connection profiles

Manage network interfaces

Run as a NetworkManager secret or polkit agent

Observe NetworkManager activity in real-time

nmcli connection show: List all connections
nmcli connection up: Activate a connection
nmcli connection down: Deactivate a connection
nmcli connection add: Create a new connection
nmcli connection modify: Change connection settings
nmcli connection delete: Remove a connection
nmcli connection import: Import a VPN connection

The --ask flag prompts for passwords interactively. Use --show-secrets carefully as it displays sensitive information. The -t option with -f is useful for scripting.

nmcli is the command-line interface for NetworkManager, first released around 2004. It provides a way to manage network connections on systems without graphical interfaces or for automation.

nmtui(1), NetworkManager(8), nm-settings(5)