podman-exec
TLDR
Execute command in container
$ podman exec [container] [command]
Interactive shell$ podman exec -it [container] /bin/bash
Run as specific user$ podman exec -u [root] [container] [command]
Set environment variable$ podman exec -e [VAR=value] [container] [command]
SYNOPSIS
podman exec [options] container command [args]
DESCRIPTION
podman exec runs a command inside a running container. It's essential for debugging, maintenance, and interacting with container processes.
PARAMETERS
-i, --interactive
Keep stdin open.-t, --tty
Allocate TTY.-u, --user user
Run as user.-e, --env var=val
Set environment variable.-w, --workdir dir
Working directory.-d, --detach
Run in background.--privileged
Extended privileges.
EXAMPLES
$ # Interactive bash shell
podman exec -it mycontainer bash
# Run command as root
podman exec -u 0 mycontainer id
# Check process list
podman exec mycontainer ps aux
# Set working directory
podman exec -w /app mycontainer ls
# Run with environment
podman exec -e DEBUG=1 mycontainer ./app
# Detached execution
podman exec -d mycontainer ./background-task
podman exec -it mycontainer bash
# Run command as root
podman exec -u 0 mycontainer id
# Check process list
podman exec mycontainer ps aux
# Set working directory
podman exec -w /app mycontainer ls
# Run with environment
podman exec -e DEBUG=1 mycontainer ./app
# Detached execution
podman exec -d mycontainer ./background-task
CAVEATS
Container must be running. Command must exist in container. Rootless Podman has user namespace limitations.
HISTORY
podman exec is part of Podman, the daemonless container engine developed by Red Hat as a Docker-compatible alternative.
SEE ALSO
podman-run(1), podman-attach(1), podman-logs(1), docker-exec(1)
