Who can use it
Terminal can run anything on your server, so very few people can use it. If Terminal won't open a session for you, this page explains why.
Who
- The owner can always use it once it's on.
- Admins can use it only when the owner chooses Me and admins. Each time an admin opens a session, the owner can be told.
- Adults, children and guests never can. Nor can apps, API keys or your Sols.
Terminal shows in the dock only for people who can use it right now, and for the owner.
The owner turns Terminal on, picks the server account it runs as, and chooses who can use it. That's covered in Terminal access.
What you need
- Terminal turned on. Until it is, only the owner sees Terminal, and it says Terminal is off, with Open Terminal settings.
- A second step on your account: an authenticator app or a passkey. Without one, Terminal says Set up a second step first, with a button to Sign-in and security.
- A safe connection. Sessions open only over HTTPS, private access, or on the server itself, so what you type can't be read on the way. Over plain HTTP from another device, Terminal says Terminal needs a safe connection. See Phones and laptops for private access.
Other messages you might see
- Terminal isn't set up on this server: the server was started without Terminal's helper. Starting Solel with
docker compose upadds it. - Terminal's helper isn't running: the part that runs the shells didn't start. Choose Try again, or look in Health for why.
When access changes
If the owner turns Terminal off, every open session closes straight away. If they change it to Only me, admins' open sessions close straight away too.