> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://podium.do/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Use the Podium CLI

> Reference the stable command groups for installation, work, sessions, machines, and diagnostics.

The `podium` command manages the local installation and talks to the issue, session, and machine services. Run `podium --help` for top-level syntax. Command groups such as `podium issue` provide their own `--help`; use the discovery examples below for the installed version.

## Installation and lifecycle

These commands configure and operate the local Podium installation:

| Command | Purpose |
| - | - |
| `podium` | Run the configured mode; defaults to all-in-one before setup |
| `podium setup` | Configure a new or existing installation |
| `podium status` | Show managed processes and service state |
| `podium stop` | Stop managed Podium processes |
| `podium logs` | Read local component logs |
| `podium update` | Verify and install a headless release |
| `podium channel` | Show or change the update channel |

## Work and coordination

These command groups manage durable work and agent communication:

| Command group | Purpose |
| - | - |
| `podium issue` | Create, place, relate, review, and close work |
| `podium session` | Inspect and send turns to agent sessions |
| `podium agent` | Spawn and observe Podium-managed subagents |
| `podium mail` | Send durable messages between issues or sessions |
| `podium offer` | Present review actions to the operator |
| `podium worktree` | Declare the current session's Git worktree |
| `podium workspace` | Inspect another agent's current files; cross-machine fetches create read-only snapshots |
| `podium lock` | Coordinate access to a named resource with an advisory lease |
| `podium merge-lock` | Coordinate branch merges through the canonical `merge:<branch>` lease |

## Machines and access

These groups inspect execution hosts, authentication, and external harness usage:

| Command group | Purpose |
| - | - |
| `podium machine` | List machines and inspect harness readiness |
| `podium auth` | Manage operator sessions on password-protected instances |
| `podium quota` | Read available external harness plan usage |
| `podium telemetry` | Inspect or change opt-in telemetry |

## Useful discovery commands

Start with built-in help and read-only inventory commands:

```bash theme={"system"}
podium --help
podium issue --help
podium issue ready
podium machine list
podium telemetry
```

## Agent-session restrictions

Some commands only work inside a Podium-managed session because Podium supplies a scoped relay. These include `podium offer`, `podium worktree`, and the `podium workspace` commands. `podium agent` also works for an authenticated operator outside a managed agent session.

Lifecycle changes requested by an agent may block for operator approval. A denied approval exits nonzero.

<Note>
  Workflow, spec, automation, notification, shipping, and handoff commands may appear in help or source behind default-off flags. They are not part of the baseline stable reference.
</Note>