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Commands
Crow supports slash commands typed into the message composer. These commands control channels, groups, storage, APRS backends, and other node functions.
Show the built-in help text listing available slash commands.
Restart the Crow service. The node disconnects briefly, then reconnects to all backends.
Example:
/restart
Use this after editing /etc/crow.conf.override to apply configuration changes.
Show Crow's current state and recent log output.
Output includes:
- Crow version and build date
- Configuration status (loaded, OK, or error)
- Selected backends (UDP vs. API) for Meshtastic, MeshCore, etc.
- Active APRS backends and their connection status
- MeshIP (AREDN) routing state
- Last ~50 lines of the Crow service log
- Strict Gatekeeper status and active ACLs
Example:
/debug
Use this to verify backend selection and diagnose connection issues.
Join or create a channel.
-
#namecreates or joins a shared-key channel (Meshtastic + MeshCore + AREDN). -
%namecreates or joins an AREDN-only channel using the unencryptedog==key. -
#name key=passphrasederives a 32-byte AES key from the passphrase via SHA-256 and creates the channel with that key. The passphrase is used once and never stored.
/join #TacNet key=OurFieldDayKey2026
/join #Emergency key=ARES-Region5-Key
The derived key replaces the default name-based key. Both sides must use the same passphrase to communicate. A warning is shown confirming the key was derived and not stored.
Create or update an APRS group, create the corresponding AREDN-only channel, and send an initial message to the listed callsigns.
Callsigns must contain at least one digit (e.g. KN6PLV, KJ6DZB-4). Plain words are treated as message text.
Example:
/join #TacNet KN6PLV KJ6DZB-4 radio check
Same as above, but binds the APRS group and channel to a specific named backend.
Example:
/join #TacNet backend=direwolf1 KN6PLV KJ6DZB-4 radio check
Leave a channel and remove the matching APRS group if one exists.
/leave #TacNet
List channels and groups discovered from connected radios.
- No argument or
all— show everything. -
meshcore— MeshCore groups only (auto-discovered from radio memory slots 0–7). -
meshtastic— Meshtastic hash channels only.
Each discovered channel is shown with a clickable /join link.
Example output:
Discovered Channels
═══ MeshCore Groups ═══
Slot 0: TacNet (16-byte key)
/join TacNet
Slot 1: Emergency (32-byte key)
/join Emergency
═══ Summary ═══
MeshCore: 2 discovered groups
Show details for a specific channel: key size, backend, telemetry status, and MeshCore slot index (if applicable).
List all configured APRS groups and their members.
List public channels visible on the local AREDN network. Channels you can join are clickable (in the UI).
List public channels visible across the wider mesh network (requires a bridge node). Falls back to local channels if no bridge is available.
Understanding the output:
#PARC → /channels join #PARC RK6mX03SvH7iMHrpmyA+9g==
%test → /channels join %test og==
AREDN → /channels join AREDN og==
-
#Name key==— Encrypted channel with a specific base64 key. Copy the entire join command as shown. -
%Name— AREDN-only open channel (usesog==key automatically). -
Name(plain) — Open channel that uses the default key (og==).
Click on a channel name (in the UI) or manually type the join command shown.
Join a channel by name. Channels prefixed with # use a specific encryption key. Channels prefixed with % use the AREDN open key. Other channels default to the open key.
Examples:
/channels join #PARC RK6mX03SvH7iMHrpmyA+9g==
/channels join %test
/channels join AREDN
Leave a channel by name.
/channels leave #PARC
/channels leave %test
/channels leave AREDN
These commands manage where Crow stores messages, images, and Winlink forms. See USB Storage for full setup instructions.
Show current storage state: mode (internal/usb/degraded), root directory, image directory, mountpoint, and USB port availability.
Detect removable USB storage devices attached to the node. Lists device path, model, size, and mount status.
Mount and activate USB storage. Auto-detects the first removable USB drive, mounts it, creates the required directories, and migrates existing data.
Return to internal node storage. The USB drive is not unmounted or erased.
Set the image storage quota in megabytes (1–65536). Oldest images are pruned when the quota is exceeded.
/storage quota images 128
List all configured APRS backends with their names, types, and connection status. Both forms are aliases. See APRS for full configuration.
Export the current selected channel's message log.
- Default format is plain text.
- CSV export uses timestamp, from, and message fields.
- Requires a selected channel with at least one message.
APRS messages are sent on the configured APRS channel (typically APRS og==). These are typed as regular messages (no leading slash), not slash commands.
| Syntax | Description |
|---|---|
@CALL-SSID message |
Send a direct APRS message to a station |
#groupname message |
Send to all members of a configured group |
#groupname CALL1, CALL2 message |
Send to an inline list of stations |
join #groupname CALL1, CALL2 message |
Create/update a group and send |
join #groupname backend=NAME CALL1 CALL2 message |
Create/update a group bound to a specific backend and send |
See APRS for full configuration and backend setup.
- Home
- Change Log
- Configuration
- Configuring Channels
- Backend Selection and Test Deployment
- Command Reference
- APRS Bridge
- LoRa Gateway Tags
- Meshtastic API Backend
- Memory Use
- Strict Gatekeeper
- Winlink
- USB Storage
APRS.mdBackend-Selection-and-Deployment.mdChange-Log.mdCommand-Reference.mdConfiguration.mdConfiguring-Channels.mdHome.mdLoRa-Gateway-Tags.mdMeshtastic-API.mdMemory-Use.mdStrict-Gatekeeper.mdUSB-Storage.mdWinlink.md_Sidebar.md
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