How to Use the Command 'grafana-cli' (with examples)
The grafana-cli is a small and powerful executable that comes bundled with the Grafana server. Its primary role is to manage plugins within a Grafana instance, making it an essential tool for Grafana administrators who wish to enhance the functionality of their Grafana deployments with additional plugins. The command allows users to install new plugins, update existing ones, or remove unnecessary plugins, thus enabling a flexible and customizable Grafana setup. Moreover, it offers the ability to list all installed plugins, providing a clear overview of the current plugin landscape in the Grafana instance. More about this command can be found in the official documentation: Grafana CLI Documentation
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Use Case 1: Install, Update, or Remove Specific Plugins
Code:
grafana-cli plugins install|update|remove plugin_id1 plugin_id2 ...
Motivation:
Managing plugins effectively is crucial for maintaining an efficient and up-to-date Grafana setup. Whether it’s adding new features through plugin installation, ensuring maximum compatibility and security by updating plugins, or decluttering the system by removing unnecessary plugins, the grafana-cli provides a straightforward command-line interface to handle these tasks. This makes plugin management much easier than navigating complex graphical interfaces, particularly when dealing with multiple plugins.
Explanation:
grafana-cli: This invokes the Grafana CLI tool, signaling that you wish to perform a command-line task related to Grafana plugins.plugins: This indicates that the operation will involve plugins, further pointing the CLI tool to the plugin management aspect.install|update|remove: These are actions you can perform on the plugins. ‘Install’ adds new plugins, ‘update’ refreshes existing ones to their latest versions, and ‘remove’ deletes specified plugins.plugin_id1 plugin_id2 ...: These are placeholders for the actual container IDs of the plugins you are interested in. Each plugin is identified by a unique ID, which you will use to tell the CLI which plugin to manage.
Example Output: Upon executing the command, users will see detailed output in their terminal. For instance, during an install operation, you might see messages confirming the downloading and successful installation of a plugin, specifying the plugin’s version and any dependencies resolved.
Use Case 2: List All Installed Plugins
Code:
grafana-cli plugins ls
Motivation: Knowing what plugins are currently installed in your Grafana instance is vital for administrative purposes. This capability allows users to track which plugins are in use, identify potential updates, or decide which ones to remove. Listing installed plugins is also a good way to verify the success of recent plugin installation or removal operations.
Explanation:
grafana-cli: As before, this starts the Grafana CLI tool.plugins: This signifies that the command interacts with Grafana’s plugin management system.ls: This shorthand for “list” instructs the CLI to display a list of all currently installed plugins. This is similar to directory listing in file systems, providing a similar overview but focused on plugins.
Example Output: Execution of this command results in a list displayed in the terminal, showcasing each plugin’s ID, name, version, and a short description. This output enables users to quickly audit their plugins and check for any discrepancies or make plans for updates or removals.
Conclusion
The grafana-cli command-line tool is indispensable for those managing a Grafana instance. It simplifies comprehensive plugin management by providing clear and powerful commands to install, update, or remove plugins as needed. Additionally, it offers insight into the currently installed plugins, helping administrators ensure their Grafana setup is both efficient and secure. Utilizing Grafana plugins to their fullest potential can drastically improve monitoring and dashboard capabilities.
