Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to commonly asked questions about the Pantavisor Linux container framework.

App Management

How do I delete apps from my device?

To uninstall an app, use the pvr CLI tool:

  1. Clone device state

    pvr clone <DEVICE_IP>:12368/cgi-bin my-device
cd my-device

  2. Remove the app

    pvr app rm <container-name>

  3. Commit and post changes

    pvr add .
pvr commit -m "Remove <container-name>"
pvr post

How do I edit application configurations?

Pantavisor provides configuration editing through the pvr CLI:

  • Clone device state - Use pvr clone <DEVICE_IP>:12368/cgi-bin to get local copy
  • Edit overlays - Modify files in _config/<container>/ directories
  • Commit changes - Use pvr add ., pvr commit, and pvr post
  • Container metadata - Edit container .json files directly

The _config directory contains overlay configurations that override container-internal settings.

Connectivity Issues

My device is not connecting. How do I fix it?

Common connectivity troubleshooting steps:

  1. Check network connection

    • Verify ethernet cable connection
    • Ensure WiFi credentials are correct
    • Test network connectivity from another device

  2. Verify device boot

    • Check that the device boots properly
    • Look for the Pantavisor Linux logo
    • Confirm login prompt appears

  3. Network configuration

    • Use pvr device scan to discover device IP
    • Check router DHCP assignments
    • Try connecting via ethernet if WiFi fails

Technical Questions

How are Docker containers handled by Pantavisor Linux?

Pantavisor doesn’t run Docker containers natively. Instead:

  • Docker images serve as root file systems
  • Containers run using LXC (Linux Containers)
  • Images are converted automatically during installation
  • Configuration overlays provide customization outside the container

What is the _config directory?

The _config directory contains overlay configurations that:

  • Override container-internal configurations
  • Provide persistent customization across updates
  • Map directly to paths inside containers
  • Take precedence over internal container configs

What is the pvr command line interface?

PVR (Pantavisor Revision) is a git-like CLI tool for:

  • Managing device states and revisions
  • Committing configuration changes
  • Scanning and discovering devices
  • Synchronizing with remote repositories
  • Handling rollbacks and state management

For detailed PVR documentation, see the Official PVR Reference Guide.

Getting Help

Having issues not covered here? Join our community forum at Pantavisor Community Forum for additional support and discussion.