> For the index of every page in Orbital's docs, read https://docs.beta.runorbital.dev/llms.txt.

# The orbital command

> Run Orbital, validate workflows and start runs from a terminal

Use the `orbital` command to run Orbital from a terminal. For example, start the server and the browser app, then check a workflow without running it:

```sh
orbital serve
orbital validate ~/.orbital/workflows/<name>.dot
```

The command also opens Orbital in a window of its own, starts runs and changes settings on a running server, and installs the shipped [skills](/mcp/skills/). Run `orbital` with no arguments to print its help.

## Before you start

The Mac app carries the command. Install it from **Settings > Command line and skills**, or with **Orbital > Install Command Line Tool** in the menu bar. On Linux or Windows, install it with npm. [Install Orbital](/get-started/install/#1-install-orbital) gives both routes.

![Settings, Command line and skills page showing the orbital command installed and the agent skills installed.](/screenshots/settings-command-line.webp?v=2453b7527a)

*The orbital command shows as installed once the link is in place.*

## The subcommands

| Subcommand | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| [`orbital serve`](/reference/command/#orbital-serve) | Runs the server and the browser app on one port, prints its address and opens it in your browser. |
| [`orbital app`](/reference/command/#orbital-app) | Opens Orbital in a window that runs its own server. Closing the window stops the server. |
| [`orbital validate`](/reference/command/#orbital-validate) | Checks a workflow without running it. It starts neither the server nor an agent. |
| [`orbital run start`](/reference/command/#orbital-run-start) | Queues a run on the server running on this machine, the desktop app's or `orbital serve`'s, and prints the run's ID and page address. |
| [`orbital settings set`](/reference/command/#orbital-settings-set) | Changes one setting on the server running on this machine. **Settings > Recent changes** lists the change. |
| [`orbital skill install`](/reference/command/#orbital-skill-install) | Installs every skill that ships with Orbital, for agents and for Claude. |

Every subcommand takes `--version`, which prints the version the command is running. A usage error, such as an unknown flag, prints the problem and the help. [The command line reference](/reference/command/) lists every flag, exit code and environment variable.

## Related

- [Command line reference](/reference/command/): every flag, exit code and environment variable
- [Install Orbital](/get-started/install/): install the command from the Mac app or with npm
- [Use the shipped skills](/mcp/skills/): what `orbital skill install` gives your agents
- [Start a run](/runs/start-a-run/): the other ways to start a run
- [Permissions](/roles/#permissions): what a run asks you before its agent acts, on each harness