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Install via the pvtx web UI

The pvtx web UI lets you upload a container package to a device using only a browser — no pvr post or direct network access to the pvr endpoint required. You still use the pvr CLI on your workstation to build the package, then transfer it via the browser.

Prerequisites: pvr installed on your workstation (install guide) and the device reachable on the local network.

1 — Build the Container Package​

On your workstation, create a fresh pvr project and add the container you want to install.

mkdir myapp-pkg
cd myapp-pkg
pvr init

Add the container from Docker Hub, setting --platform to match your device:

pvr app add myapp --from myorg/myapp:latest --platform linux/arm64
pvr add .
pvr commit -m "add myapp"

Export the project as a .tar.gz bundle that pvtx can consume:

pvr export myapp.tar.gz

This archive contains the container's SquashFS rootfs, its LXC config, and the revision metadata.

2 — Upload via pvtx​

Open a browser and navigate to the device's local web UI:

http://<device-ip>:12368/app

  1. Click "Begin new transaction" to open the update panel.

  2. In the "Drag or click to upload new part" area, drop myapp.tar.gz or click to pick the file.

    pvtx upload panel — drag or click to upload a new part

  3. Commit the transaction from the toolbar to apply the change.

Pantavisor writes the uploaded container as a new pending revision and reboots. If the revision boots cleanly, it becomes the new permanent state.

3 — Verify​

After the device reboots, check from the serial console or SSH:

lxc-ls -f

The new container should appear as RUNNING. You can also confirm in the pvtx UI revision history at http://<device-ip>:12368/app.

Note: If a debug shell appears on the serial console after the reboot, the device is waiting for confirmation before committing. Follow the on-screen instructions to proceed or roll back..