---
name: "hostapd_cli"
section: "8"
platform: "freebsd"
package: "base"
version: "16.0-CURRENT-20261027-61c70dc16a79"
release: "FreeBSD 16.0-CURRENT (2026-10-27)"
platforms: ["freebsd"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/hostapd_cli/8"
---

# hostapd\_cli(8)

text-based frontend program for interacting with hostapd(8)

## NAME

**hostapd\_cli** – text-based frontend program for interacting with [hostapd(8)](/hostapd/8.md)

## SYNOPSIS

**hostapd\_cli** \[*commands*\]

## DESCRIPTION

The **hostapd\_cli** utility is a text-based frontend program for interacting with [hostapd(8)](/hostapd/8.md). It is used to query the current status.

The **hostapd\_cli** utility can show the current authentication status, dot11 and dot1x MIBs, etc.

The **hostapd\_cli** utility supports two modes: interactive and command line. Both modes share the same command set.

Interactive mode is started when **hostapd\_cli** is executed without any parameters on the command line. Commands are then entered from the controlling terminal in response to the **hostapd\_cli** prompt. In command line mode, the same commands are entered as command line arguments.

## COMMANDS

The following commands may be supplied on the command line or at a prompt when operating interactively.

- **mib**

  Report MIB variables (dot1x, dot11) for the current interface.

- **sta** *addr*

  Report the MIB variables for the associated station with MAC address *addr*.

- **all\_sta**

  Report the MIB variables for all associated stations.

- **help**

  Show usage help.

- **interface** \[*ifname*\]

  Show available interfaces and/or set the current interface when multiple are available.

- **level** *debug\_level*

  Change the debugging level in [hostapd(8)](/hostapd/8.md). Larger numbers generate more messages.

- **license**

  Display the full license for **hostapd\_cli**.

- **quit**

  Exit **hostapd\_cli**.

## SEE ALSO

[hostapd.conf(5)](/hostapd.conf/5.md), [hostapd(8)](/hostapd/8.md)

## HISTORY

The **hostapd\_cli** utility first appeared in FreeBSD 6.0.

## AUTHORS

The **hostapd\_cli** utility was written by Jouni Malinen ⟨*j@w1.fi*⟩. This manual page is derived from the *README* file included in the **hostapd** distribution.