---
title: "ktm shell send"
description: "Send a shell command to a device"
sidebarTitle: "send"
lastUpdated: "2026-09-23"
---

> **For AI agents:** the complete documentation index is at [llms.txt](/llms.txt). Append `.md` to any page URL for its markdown version.

{/* GENERATED FILE: do not edit by hand. Regenerate with: node scripts/generate.mjs */}

Send a shell command to a device

## Usage

```bash
ktm shell send [flags]
```

## Examples

```bash
# Dial a USSD shortcode and wait for the menu
ktm shell send --product 123 --owner 0789800356 --type USSD --command '{"input":"#131#"}' --wait

# Navigate a USSD menu (send option "1" to continue the session)
ktm shell send --product 123 --owner 0789800356 --type USSD --command '{"input":"1"}' --wait

# Send an HTTP API call via web agent
ktm shell send --product 456 --owner my-agent --type ETH_HTTP_API --command '{"http_method":"GET","url":"https://example.com/api/health"}'

# Fire and forget (returns immediately with shell ID)
ktm shell send --product 123 --owner 0789800356 --type DATA_PING --command '{"host":"8.8.8.8","count":3}'
```

## Flags

| Flag | Type | Default | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `--command` | string |  | Command payload as JSON (required) |
| `--owner` | string |  | Device identifier: MSISDN for SIM, hostname for Ethernet (required) |
| `--product` | int |  | Product ID (required) |
| `--type` | string |  | Action type (e.g. USSD, ETH_HTTP_API) — see 'shell types' (required) |
| `--wait` | boolean |  | Wait for the command to complete before returning |

## Details

Submit a single shell command for execution on a SIM card or web agent.

The --type flag accepts the full action type name (e.g. USSD, ETH_HTTP_API).
Use 'shell types' to see all available action types and their required command fields.

USSD is session-based: dial the root shortcode first (e.g. --command '\{"input":"*199#"\}'),
then check the result with 'shell get'. If the session is OPEN, send follow-up menu options
as separate commands (e.g. --command '\{"input":"1"\}').
Prefer step-by-step navigation over long shortcodes like *199*5# — only use long shortcodes
when you know the exact path. Sessions expire after ~30s of inactivity.

## Related

- [`ktm shell`](/cli/commands/shell)
- [`ktm shell types`](/cli/commands/shell/types)
- [`ktm shell get`](/cli/commands/shell/get)

<Note>
  Global flags (`--output`, `--debug`, `--host`, …) apply to every command. See the [command reference overview](/cli/commands/overview).
</Note>

## What's next?

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card title="All commands" icon="terminal" href="/cli/commands/overview">
    Browse the full CLI reference.
  </Card>
  <Card title="Get started" icon="rocket" href="/cli/getting-started">
    Install the CLI and authenticate.
  </Card>
</Columns>