---
name: "jls"
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/jls/8"
---

# jls(8)

list jails

## NAME

**jls** – list jails

## SYNOPSIS

**jls** \[**--libxo**\] \[**-dhNnqsv**\] \[**-j** *jail*\] \[*parameter* *...*\]

**jls** **-c** \[**-d**\] **-j** *jail*

## DESCRIPTION

The **jls** utility lists all active jails, or the specified jail. Each jail is represented by space-separated values of the listed *parameters*, one jail per line (unless the parameters themselves contain newlines). The pseudo-parameter *all* will show all available jail parameters. A list of available parameters can be retrieved via “**sysctl** **-d** *security.jail.param*”. See [jail(8)](/jail/8.md) for a description of some core parameters.

If no *parameters* or any of the options **-chns** are given, the following four columns will be printed: jail identifier (jid), IP address (ip4.addr), hostname (host.hostname), and path (path).

When the **-c** option is used, **jls** will not emit any output except for usage errors. This mode is intended solely to check for a single jail's existence, and it does not accept any *parameter* or print-option flags.

The following options are available:

- **--libxo**

  Generate output via [libxo(3)](/libxo/3.md) in a selection of different human and machine readable formats. See [xo\_options(7)](/xo_options/7.md) for details on command line arguments.

- **-c**

  Only check for the jail's existence.

- **-d**

  List *dying* as well as active jails.

- **-h**

  Print a header line containing the parameters listed. If no parameters are given on the command line, *all* is assumed.

- **-N**

  In the standard display mode, print each jail's name instead of its numeric ID. If the jail does not have a name, the numeric ID is printed instead.

- **-n**

  Print parameters in “name=value” format, where each parameter is preceded by its name. If no parameters are given on the command line, *all* is assumed.

- **-q**

  Put quotes around parameters if they contain spaces or quotes, or are the empty string.

- **-s**

  Print parameters suitable for passing to [jail(8)](/jail/8.md), skipping read-only and unused parameters. Implies **-nq**.

- **-v**

  Extend the standard display with a multiple-line summary per jail, containing the following parameters: jail identifier (jid), hostname (host.hostname), path (path), jail name (name), jail state (dying), cpuset ID (cpuset), IP address(es) (ip4.addr and ip6.addr).

- **-j** *jail*

  The jid or name of the *jail* to list. Without this option, all active jails will be listed.

## SEE ALSO

[jail\_get(2)](/jail_get/2.md), [libxo(3)](/libxo/3.md), [xo\_options(7)](/xo_options/7.md), [jail(8)](/jail/8.md), [jexec(8)](/jexec/8.md)

## HISTORY

The **jls** utility was added in FreeBSD 5.1. Extensible jail parameters were introduced in FreeBSD 8.0. libxo support was added in FreeBSD 11.0.