---
name: "distrobox-host-exec"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "distrobox"
version: "1.8.2.5-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/distrobox-host-exec"
---

# distrobox-host-exec(1)

## NAME

-

  ```
  distrobox-host-exec
  ```

## DESCRIPTION

distrobox-host-exec lets one execute command on the host, while inside of a container.

Under the hood, distrobox-host-exec uses `host-spawn` a project that lets us execute commands back on the host. If the tool is not found the user will be prompted to install it.

## SYNOPSIS

Just pass to “distrobox-host-exec” any command and all its arguments, if any.

-

  ```
  --help/-h:      show this message
  --verbose/-v:       show more verbosity
  --version/-V:       show version
  --yes/-Y:       Automatically answer yes to prompt:
                              host-spawn will be installed on the guest system
                              if host-spawn is not detected.
                              This behaviour is default when running in a non-interactive shell.
  ```

If no command is provided, it will execute “$SHELL”.

Alternatively, you can symlink a command name to `distrobox-host-exec` and then call that command by its name on the host, while inside of a container.

## EXAMPLES

### Run individual commands

-

  ```
  distrobox-host-exec ls
  distrobox-host-exec bash -l
  distrobox-host-exec flatpak run org.mozilla.firefox
  distrobox-host-exec podman ps -a
  ```

### Drop into host shell

-

  ```
  ~$: distrobox-host-exec # No command, executes "$SHELL" on the host
  ~$: distrobox-host-exec # This command now runs on the host
  You must run  distrobox-host-exec inside a container!
  ```

### Symlinking host commands

Use the host command name to create a symlink to `distrobox-host-exec`. You can then call the host command from within the container.

-

  ```
  ~$: git # We do not have git in the container
  bash: git: command not found
  ~$: sudo ln -s /usr/bin/distrobox-host-exec /usr/local/bin/git
  ~$: git version
  git version 2.51.1
  ```

You can control podman on the host from within the container as follows:

-

  ```
  ~$: ln -s /usr/bin/distrobox-host-exec /usr/local/bin/podman
  ~$: ls -l /usr/local/bin/podman
  lrwxrwxrwx. 1 root root 51 Jul 11 19:26 /usr/local/bin/podman -> /usr/bin/distrobox-host-exec
  ~$: podman version
  ...this is executed on host...
  ```