---
name: "apptainer-instance-list"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "apptainer"
version: "1.5.4-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/apptainer-instance-list"
---

# apptainer-instance-list(1)

List all running and named Apptainer instances

## NAME

apptainer-instance-list - List all running and named Apptainer instances

## SYNOPSIS

**apptainer instance list \[list options...\] \[\]**

## DESCRIPTION

The instance list command allows you to view the Apptainer container\
   instances that are currently running in the background.

## OPTIONS

**-a**, **--all**\[=false\]\
 	display all instances (include --sharens instances)

**-h**, **--help**\[=false\]\
 	help for list

**-j**, **--json**\[=false\]\
 	print structured json instead of list

**-l**, **--logs**\[=false\]\
 	display location of stdout and sterr log files for instances

**-u**, **--user**=""\
 	if running as root, list instances from ""

## EXAMPLE

```
  $ apptainer instance list
  INSTANCE NAME      PID       IMAGE
  test               11963     /home/mibauer/apptainer/sinstance/test.sif
  test2              11964     /home/mibauer/apptainer/sinstance/test.sif
  lolcow             11965     /home/mibauer/apptainer/sinstance/lolcow.sif
  $ apptainer instance list 'test*'
  INSTANCE NAME      PID       IMAGE
  test               11963     /home/mibauer/apptainer/sinstance/test.sif
  test2              11964     /home/mibauer/apptainer/sinstance/test.sif
  $ sudo apptainer instance list -u mibauer
  INSTANCE NAME      PID       IMAGE
  test               11963     /home/mibauer/apptainer/sinstance/test.sif
  test2              16219     /home/mibauer/apptainer/sinstance/test.sif
```

## SEE ALSO

**[apptainer-instance(1)](/apptainer-instance/1.md)**

## HISTORY

22-Sep-2026 Auto generated by spf13/cobra