Commands Overview

NextDNS Blocker provides a comprehensive set of commands organized into logical groups.

Command Structure

nextdns-blocker [OPTIONS] COMMAND [ARGS]

Global Options

Option	Description
`--version`	Show version and exit
`--no-color`	Disable colored output
`--help`	Show help message

Setup Commands

Command	Description
`init`	Initialize configuration with interactive wizard
`config validate`	Validate configuration files before deployment
`completion`	Generate shell completion script

Main Commands

Command	Description
`config push`	Synchronize domain states based on schedules
`status`	Show current blocking status
`unblock`	Request manual domain unblock
`update`	Check for and install updates

Diagnostic & Maintenance Commands

Command	Description
`health`	Run system health checks
`fix`	Auto-repair common issues
`stats`	Show usage statistics
`test-notifications`	Test Discord integration
`uninstall`	Completely remove NextDNS Blocker

Command Groups

config

Manage configuration files.

Subcommand	Description
`config show`	Display current configuration
`config edit`	Open config in editor
`config validate`	Validate configuration syntax
`config set`	Set configuration values
`config push`	Synchronize domain states based on schedules
`config diff`	Show differences between local and remote
`config pull`	Fetch domains from NextDNS to local config

watchdog

Manage automatic synchronization.

Subcommand	Description
`watchdog status`	Check scheduler status
`watchdog install`	Create scheduled sync jobs
`watchdog uninstall`	Remove scheduled jobs
`watchdog enable`	Re-enable after disable
`watchdog disable`	Temporarily disable

panic

Emergency lockdown mode.

Subcommand	Description
`panic MINUTES`	Activate panic mode
`panic status`	Check panic mode status
`panic extend`	Extend panic duration

pending

Manage pending unblock actions.

Subcommand	Description
`pending list`	List pending actions
`pending show`	Show action details
`pending cancel`	Cancel pending action

Subcommand	Description
`category list`	List all categories
`category show`	Show category details
`category create`	Create new category
`category add`	Add domain to category
`category remove`	Remove domain from category
`category delete`	Delete category

nextdns

Manage NextDNS Parental Control.

Subcommand	Description
`nextdns list`	List configured items
`nextdns status`	Show Parental Control status
`nextdns add-category`	Activate category
`nextdns remove-category`	Deactivate category
`nextdns add-service`	Activate service
`nextdns remove-service`	Deactivate service
`nextdns categories`	Show valid category IDs
`nextdns services`	Show valid service IDs

denylist

Manage NextDNS denylist (blocked domains).

Subcommand	Description
`denylist list`	List all denylist domains
`denylist add`	Add domains to denylist
`denylist remove`	Remove domains from denylist
`denylist export`	Export to JSON or CSV
`denylist import`	Import from file

allowlist

Manage NextDNS allowlist (whitelisted domains).

Subcommand	Description
`allowlist list`	List all allowlist domains
`allowlist add`	Add domains to allowlist
`allowlist remove`	Remove domains from allowlist
`allowlist export`	Export to JSON or CSV
`allowlist import`	Import from file

Legacy Allowlist Commands

Command	Description
`allow`	Add domain to allowlist
`disallow`	Remove domain from allowlist

protection

Manage addiction protection features.

Subcommand	Description
`protection status`	Show protection status and locked items
`protection unlock-request`	Request to unlock a protected item
`protection cancel`	Cancel a pending unlock request
`protection list`	List pending unlock requests
`protection pin set`	Set or change PIN
`protection pin status`	Show PIN status
`protection pin verify`	Verify PIN and start session
`protection pin remove`	Remove PIN (with 24h delay)

stats

View usage statistics and patterns.

Subcommand	Description
`stats`	Show summary statistics
`stats domains`	Show top blocked domains
`stats hours`	Show hourly activity patterns
`stats actions`	Show action breakdown
`stats export`	Export to CSV

Quick Reference

First Time Setup

# Initialize configuration
nextdns-blocker init

# Install scheduler
nextdns-blocker watchdog install

# Verify setup
nextdns-blocker status

Daily Usage

# Check what's blocked
nextdns-blocker status

# Emergency mode
nextdns-blocker panic 60

Management

# Edit domains
nextdns-blocker config edit

# Force sync now
nextdns-blocker config push

# Check watchdog
nextdns-blocker watchdog status

Troubleshooting

# Validate config
nextdns-blocker config validate

# Preview changes
nextdns-blocker config push --dry-run

# Verbose output
nextdns-blocker config push -v

# Run health checks
nextdns-blocker health

# Auto-fix common issues
nextdns-blocker fix

# View usage statistics
nextdns-blocker stats

# Test Discord notifications
nextdns-blocker test-notifications

Shell Completion

# Bash
eval "$(nextdns-blocker completion bash)"

# Zsh
eval "$(nextdns-blocker completion zsh)"

# Fish
nextdns-blocker completion fish > ~/.config/fish/completions/nextdns-blocker.fish

Exit Codes

Code	Meaning
0	Success
1	General error
2	Configuration error
3	API error
4	Validation error

See Exit Codes Reference for complete details.