---
name: "pcp-verify"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "pcp"
version: "7.2.2-2"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/pcp-verify"
---

# pcp-verify(1)

verify aspects of a PCP installation

## NAME

**pcp-verify** - verify aspects of a PCP installation

## SYNOPSIS

**pcp verify** \[**-a** *archive*\] \[**-D** *debug*\] \[**-h** *host*\] \[**-csvV?**\]

## DESCRIPTION

**pcp-verify** inspects various aspects of a PCP collector installation and reports on whether it is configured correctly for certain modes of operation.

By default, **pcp-verify** checks that PMCD is running and no agents are in a failed state. These checks can be extended and refined using the command line options.

## OPTIONS

The available command line options are:

- **-a** *archive*, **--archive**=*archive*

  Use the *archive* for verification.

- **-c**, **--containers**

  Verify the collector installation for monitoring containers.

- **-h** *host*, **--host**=*host*

  Connect to the PMCD on *host* for verification.

- **-s**, **--secure**

  Verify that the required components for encrypted communication are in place.

- **-v**, **--verbose**

  Increase the verbosity, and report on each check as it is made. In the absence of any issues found, **pcp-verify** operates silently.

- **-V**, **--version**

  Display version number and exit.

- **-?**, **--help**

  Display usage message and exit.

## DIAGNOSTICS

**pcp-verify** will exit with a non-zero status if it finds anything worth reporting, otherwise it is silent and returns zero.

## PCP ENVIRONMENT

Environment variables with the prefix **PCP\_** are used to parameterize the file and directory names used by PCP. On each installation, the file */etc/pcp.conf* contains the local values for these variables. The **$PCP\_CONF** variable may be used to specify an alternative configuration file, as described in [**pcp.conf**(5)](/pcp.conf/5.md).

For environment variables affecting PCP tools, see [**pmGetOptions**(3)](/pmGetOptions/3.md).

## DEBUGGING OPTIONS

The **-D** or **--debug** option enables the output of additional diagnostics on *stderr* to help triage problems, although the information is sometimes cryptic and primarily intended to provide guidance for developers rather than for end-users. *debug* is a comma separated list of debugging options; use [**pmdbg**(1)](/pmdbg/1.md) with the **-l** option to obtain a list of the available debugging options and their meaning.

## SEE ALSO

[**PCPIntro**(1)](/PCPIntro/1.md) and [**pcp**(1)](/pcp/1.md).