Host CLI
The punktfunk-host commands and the flags you'll actually use.
The host is one binary, punktfunk-host. Most of the time you'll run a single command; the rest reads
its settings from host.env.
serve --native
The normal way to run a host. Starts the unified host: the GameStream server (for Moonlight) and
the native punktfunk/1 server, plus the management API/web console — all in one process.
punktfunk-host serve --native| Flag | Meaning |
|---|---|
--native | Also run the native punktfunk/1 server (recommended; enables the Apple app and discovery). |
--native-port <PORT> | Native QUIC port (default 9777). |
--open | Don't require pairing — serve any device on the network. Off by default; only for trusted single-user setups. |
--mgmt-bind <IP:PORT> | Management API address (default loopback 127.0.0.1:47990). |
--mgmt-token <TOKEN> | Bearer token for the management API; required when --mgmt-bind isn't loopback. |
By default the host requires pairing — see Pairing & Trust. Arm pairing from the
web console (or the m3-host flags below for a quick test).
m3-host
A standalone native-only host, mainly for testing the punktfunk/1 path without the GameStream server
or web console.
punktfunk-host m3-host --source virtual| Flag | Meaning |
|---|---|
--port <N> | QUIC listen port (default 9777). |
--source virtual | Use a real virtual display + NVENC (vs. synthetic test frames). |
--max-concurrent <N> | Stream at most N sessions at once (default 4); overflow waits in the queue. |
--max-sessions <N> | Exit after N sessions (0 = serve forever). |
--allow-pairing | Accept PIN pairing; the host prints a PIN when a client pairs. |
--require-pairing | Only serve paired devices (implies --allow-pairing). |
Both serve --native and m3-host advertise the host on the network so clients can discover it. List
hosts from another machine with punktfunk-client-rs --discover.
Environment
Most behaviour (compositor, video source, input backend, zero-copy) is set in
host.env, not on the command line. When running as a
service, the unit loads host.env for you.