[qubes-users] Opening applications using qvm-run

Mailing Lists qubes-users
1

I'm trying to figure out how to open applications in VMs from dom0 using qvm-run, and how to do so without blocking the terminal in dom0.

For example:

$ qvm-run anon "torbrowser qubes-os.org"
Running 'torbrowser qubes-os.org' on anon

The above command sucessfully launches Tor Browser in the `anon` VM, but I can't run another command in the same dom0 terminal window until Tor Browser (in the VM) finishes (exits).

Alternately I can do something like

$ qvm-run anon "gnome-terminal -- torbrowser qubes-os.org"

but that leaves a terminal window running in the `anon` VM.

I've also tried all the usual variations on `nohup`, `disown`, `&`, and the like, but none of them seem to do the trick.

Any ideas?

2

Is this Torbrowser specific? Because it doesn't block with other
programs (or at least doesn't seem to do so for me).
On what is the "anon" qube based? How is it configured to run torbrowser
with no path?

3

It's not Torbrowser specific for me, that was just an example using a Whonix Workstation VM. (it does work as stated -- I did test it)

In actuality I want to launch specific applications (that launch fine using applications menu) from a dom0 script, but the only way I can find to launch them without blocking the script execution is using gnome-terminal. And that opens an extra (unneeded) terminal window.

4

Do you have the same problem with non Whonix qubes?
I dont use Whonix, and dont have this problem with any of my other
template based qubes.

5

Yes. But the other solution (qubes.StartApp) did the trick.