VBoxManage

VBoxManage is the command-line interface for Oracle VM VirtualBox, a cross-platform virtualization platform. It enables administrators and developers to manage VirtualBox virtual machines and related resources from the host operating system, without using the graphical user interface. It ships with VirtualBox and runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing scripting and automation capabilities across platforms.

Common tasks performed with VBoxManage include creating and configuring VMs, starting and stopping them, pausing and resetting, taking and restoring snapshots, and configuring storage and networking. It can also export or import appliances and clone disks or virtual machines. Typical commands include: VBoxManage list vms to enumerate VMs; VBoxManage createvm --name "TestVM" --ostype "Ubuntu_64" --register; VBoxManage modifyvm "TestVM" --memory 2048 --vram 128 --nic1 nat; VBoxManage startvm "TestVM" --type headless; VBoxManage snapshot "TestVM" take "Initial"; VBoxManage clonemedium disk "TestVM.vdi" "TestVM_clone.vdi"; VBoxManage export "TestVM" --output "TestVM.ova".

Other features include guest control for executing commands inside a running VM (requires Guest Additions and credentials), media management with storage controllers and attachments, and network configuration via modifyvm. VBoxManage is designed for automation and scripting, enabling batch operations across multiple VMs. For details, the command VBoxManage --help provides a complete list of commands and options.