🧾 OpenWrt SSH Command Cheat Sheet

This cheat sheet summarizes the most commonly used and useful SSH commands for managing OpenWrt routers via terminal access.

🔧 System Management

passwd                      # Set or change root password
reboot                      # Reboot the router
uptime                      # Show how long the system has been running
df -h                       # Show disk usage
top                         # Show running processes (press q to quit)
htop                        # Enhanced process viewer (install separately)
logread                     # View system logs
logread -f                  # Follow system log (like tail -f)

🧱 Package Management

opkg update                 # Update package list
opkg install <pkg>         # Install a package
opkg remove <pkg>          # Remove a package
opkg list-installed        # List installed packages

🌐 Network Management

ip a                        # Show network interfaces and IPs
ifconfig                    # Alternative interface info (install net-tools)
ping openwrt.org           # Test internet connectivity
/etc/init.d/network restart  # Restart network services

🔌 Wireless & Wi-Fi

iw dev                     # List wireless interfaces
iw dev wlan1 station dump  # Show connected clients (2.4GHz)
iw dev wlan0 station dump  # Show connected clients (5GHz)
wifi reload                # Reload Wi-Fi settings
uci show wireless          # Display wireless settings

⚙️ UCI Configuration System

uci show                   # Show full config
uci show <config>          # Show specific (e.g., uci show wireless)
uci set ...                # Set a config value
uci delete ...             # Delete a config value
uci commit                 # Save changes

Example:

uci set wireless.radio1.channel='6'
uci commit wireless
wifi reload

🔥 Firewall & Port Redirection

/etc/init.d/firewall restart  # Restart firewall
nft list ruleset              # View current firewall rules (OpenWrt ≥22.03)

🧪 DNS & DHCP

/etc/init.d/dnsmasq restart     # Restart DNS/DHCP service
cat /tmp/dhcp.leases            # View active DHCP leases

🗂️ File Management

cd /etc/config                 # Where config files are stored
vi <file>                     # Edit file using vi editor
scp user@host:/path .         # Copy file from remote machine
sysupgrade -b /tmp/backup.tar.gz  # Create backup of config

🔒 Admin & Recovery

firstboot                     # Reset to factory defaults
mount_root                   # Make root filesystem writable in failsafe

Use these only if you understand the consequences.

🧠 Tips

• tab autocompletes commands and file names
• Use && to run multiple commands: opkg update && opkg install htop
• logread -f is your friend for debugging

📌 Essential Directories