shell_command doesn't work? | Home Assistant | Page 1

ruby glen Jan 23, 2026, 7:43 AM

#

Added to my configuration.yaml:
shell_command:
test: ls /media/snapshots

When running the command in Developer Tools - Actions, I get a response of:
stdout: ""
stderr: ""
returncode: 0

I would expect to see my snapshots in there. From the terminal tool:
[core-ssh config]$ ls /media/snapshots
back-gate-person.jpg doorbell-visitor.jpg driveway-overhead.jpg garage-gear.jpg hvac-room.jpg
back-gate.jpg doorbell.jpg driveway-track.jpg garage-overhead.jpg side-gate.jpg

solar summitBOT Jan 23, 2026, 10:05 AM

#

To format your text as code, enter three backticks on the first line, press Enter for a new line, paste your code, press Enter again for another new line, and lastly three more backticks.
```yaml
example: here
```
Don't forget you can edit your post rather than repeatedly posting the same thing.

topaz matrix Jan 23, 2026, 10:06 AM

#

Run the command inside the HA container as suggested in the docs: https://gist.github.com/Impact123/e9a4a07b184eb393d2ff762e3b1b0a05#run-commands-in-a-containeraddon

ruby glen Jan 23, 2026, 5:31 PM

#

I tried 'ls /' as the shell command and that still ends up with an empty response

topaz matrix Jan 23, 2026, 5:32 PM

#

Does something like id work?

ruby glen Jan 23, 2026, 5:39 PM

#

oh, looks like I need to restart home assistant to get the shell command to update... I've just been reloading the YAML config, since all I'm changing is a YAML config file.

#

I'm getting output from 'ls /' now

#

That seems super heavy-handed to have to restart HA to update a shell command

#shell_command doesn't work?