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Linux CLI Linux CLI

Headless console VPN for Linux
— free download

Unblocks YouTube, Telegram and Instagram. Works in Russia in 2026. Headless — for servers, VPS and routers. 2-minute install.

Linux CLI Download TAR.GZ v1.0.122 · ~21 MB · any Linux x64
✓ Free version ✓ No sign-up ✓ No desktop needed ✓ Signed updates
Other platforms: Android Android Windows Windows Linux Linux (GUI) macOS Soon iOS Soon

A full VPN in your terminal — no GUI

RUSVPN CLI is a console VPN client for Linux: a background agent and the privileged rusvpnd daemon bring up a TUN tunnel and keep it alive across reboots. Everything is controlled by a single rusvpn command: an interactive menu for humans and clean commands for scripts. It needs no desktop, uses minimal resources and is perfect for servers, VPS and routers.

  • ✓Interactive menu and commandsRun rusvpn with no arguments — a server and protocol selection menu opens. For automation use connect, reconnect, status, list, logs, fix.
  • ✓Automatic bypass protocol selectionThe client detects the blocking type in your network and picks the best protocol itself: SASHA, OLGA, VANYA or TOLYA.
  • ✓Kill Switch and leak protectionIf the tunnel drops, traffic is blocked instead of going around the VPN. DNS requests also go through the tunnel — no leaks.
  • ✓Double VPN*The --double-vpn flag routes traffic through two servers in a row — maximum privacy where you need it. Available from the Professional plan.
  • ✓Messenger modeThe messenger command opens Telegram and WhatsApp without enabling the full VPN — fast and efficient.
  • ✓Config exportrusvpn export saves the server config for xray or sing-box, or generates a link for other clients.
  • ✓Signed updatesEvery release is signed with Ed25519: the client verifies the signature before installing — protection against update tampering.
  • ✓Auto-start and self-healingThe agent starts at boot and survives disconnects and reboots. The fix command restores the network after a failure.
  • ✓Flexible routing--all-traffic sends all traffic through the tunnel, while --bypass-ru keeps Russian sites (government services, banks) on a direct connection.
  • ✓Machine-readable outputThe --json flag returns status and data as JSON — handy for monitoring, scripts and automation.

* Double VPN is only available on the Professional plan and above.

user@server: ~ — rusvpn 
██████╗ ██╗   ██╗███████╗██╗   ██╗██████╗ ███╗   ██╗
██╔══██╗██║   ██║██╔════╝██║   ██║██╔══██╗████╗  ██║
██████╔╝██║   ██║███████╗██║   ██║██████╔╝██╔██╗ ██║
██╔══██╗██║   ██║╚════██║╚██╗ ██╔╝██╔═══╝ ██║╚██╗██║
██║  ██║╚██████╔╝███████║ ╚████╔╝ ██║     ██║ ╚████║
╚═╝  ╚═╝ ╚═════╝ ╚══════╝  ╚═══╝  ╚═╝     ╚═╝  ╚═══╝  for Linux · headless CLI

user@server:~$ rusvpn connect
  ▸ checking your network… DPI blocking detected
  ▸ best protocol selected: SASHA
  ✓ connected to Finland (Helsinki) in 0.8s

user@server:~$ rusvpn status
  tunnel      up · TUN rusvpn0 · kill-switch armed
  protocol    SASHA
  speed       ↑ 1.2 MB/s · ↓ 8.4 MB/s
  uptime      00:42:17 · DNS via tunnel, no leaks

user@server:~$ curl https://ifconfig.me
95.140.112.47   # Finland — traffic goes through the tunnel

user@server:~$ ▌

How to install the VPN on Linux (CLI)

The archive extracts and installs with a single command

1

Download the archive

TAR.GZ — works on any Linux x64 distribution.

2

Extract and install

Run tar -xzf …, then sudo ./install.sh.

3

Connect

Log in again and run rusvpn. You are protected within a second!

Install from the archive

wget https://rusvpn.online/files/rusvpn-linux-cli-latest.tar.gz
tar -xzf rusvpn-linux-cli-latest.tar.gz
cd rusvpn-linux-*
sudo ./install.sh

After installing, log in again (the installer adds you to the rusvpn group) and run the rusvpn command — the interactive menu opens.

Linux CLI Download RUSVPN CLI for Linux v1.0.122 · ~21 MB · Free

The rusvpn commands

Everything is controlled from the terminal. The main commands of the console client.

connect [server] Connect. The server is picked automatically, or specify a country code, e.g. connect de — Germany.
disconnect Disconnect and return to the direct connection.
reconnect Reconnect — switch servers without losing protection.
status Current connection: server, protocol, speed. For scripts — status --json.
list List of available servers. Filter by protocol: list -p vless.
switch <protocol> Switch protocol without a full reconnect.
watch Live stream of connection events — handy for diagnostics.
up / down / restart Start, stop or restart the background agent.
fix Repair the network after a failed session: routes, firewall, DNS.
logs [-n N] Last N lines of the agent log (50 by default).
export Export the server config for xray, sing-box or as a link (for other clients).
license / traffic License status and free quota usage (100 MB / 24 h).
activate / promo Activate a license key or a promo code.
messenger [on|off] Telegram and WhatsApp without enabling the full VPN.
update Download and install the latest version. --check — only check availability.
completion <shell> Command completion for bash and zsh.

Linux CLI system requirements

🖥️
Operating system
Any Linux x86-64
📦
Runtime
Node.js 18+
⚙️
Init system
systemd (recommended)
💾
Disk space
~21 MB free space
🪟
Desktop environment
Not required
🔑
Privileges
root for install and daemon
Current version: 1.0.122 · Updated: September 02, 2026 · Size: ~21 MB · Format: .tar.gz

4 blocking-bypass protocols

RUSVPN automatically picks the best protocol for your network and ISP

Recommended
SASHA
Connection through an SSH tunnel. A reliable way to bypass blocking — works even under strict filtering.
SSHReliable
OLGA
Cloak disguises OpenVPN traffic as HTTPS. Bypasses deep packet inspection.
CloakOpenVPN
VANYA
VLESS inside a WebSocket + TLS tunnel. Fast and stable, confidently bypasses DPI.
FastTLS
TOLYA
Traffic disguised as plain HTTPS. Works where other protocols are blocked.
TrojanHTTPS

Questions and answers

Is RUSVPN CLI for Linux free?

Yes, the base version is completely free. No sign-up, no credit card. Paid plans add higher traffic limits and Double VPN*.

How is the CLI version different from the GUI one?

The CLI version has no graphical interface and is controlled from the terminal. It is ideal for servers, VPS and routers. Functionally it equals the GUI version. If you need a desktop app — download the GUI version.

Which distributions are supported?

Any Linux x86-64 with Node.js 18+: Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, CentOS, Arch and others. Installation needs root access; daily use only needs membership in the rusvpn group.

How do I remove RUSVPN CLI?

Run sudo ./uninstall.sh from the install directory (the --purge flag also removes configs and logs).

Are root privileges required?

Root is needed for installation and for the rusvpnd daemon, which creates the TUN interface and sets up routes. The rusvpn client itself runs as a regular user.

Does the VPN work with Russian government and banking sites?

Yes. RUSVPN is built with Russia in mind: all Russian government and banking sites work while the VPN is on, with no need to exclude them.

Are there Windows and Android versions?

Yes! Download RUSVPN for Windows and for Android on their dedicated pages.

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