How to open CROSH on a Chromebook

If you are a Chromebook user and want to fix some problems, then CROSH is the place to be. But if you are new to this type of terminals, you may be confused about where to look. Don’t worry, as this is not a complicated or time-consuming task.

This article shares detailed information on how to open and bypass CROSH so that you can access the diagnostics you need without any problems. And if you need some commands to get started, we’ve got those covered too.

Open CROSH on a Chromebook

Running CROSH on any Chromebook computer allows the user to run similar tests and line functions as those in Windows cmd.exe and Linux BASH Terminal.

Please note that CROSH cannot be found in the Chromebook app list. Instead, it must be accessed through a browser. Also, there is no need to enter the terminal from developer mode.

Additional note: CROSH will not work on alternative operating systems such as Crouton or Chrobuntu.

Access CROSS

To access CROSH, you must first open the Chrome shell. Follow the steps below to launch this terminal and run some basic functions.

1. Launch your Chrome browser.
   
2. Press the “Ctrl + Alt + t” keys at the same time. You should see a new black interface appear on the screen.
   
3. Enter your CROSH diagnostic commands.
   
4. If you are not sure about the commands, you can type “help” to get a list of all the available options. For additional help, enter “help_advanced” for a complete list of debugging commands.
   

Common CROSH Commands

To help you get started, we’ll share some of the most common functions you can use in CROSH. On the left side is the command and next to it is its purpose.

• Exit – Exit CROSS
• Ping [domain] – Perform a ping test on a particular domain
• Help – Show help
• Help_advanced – Show advanced help
• Ssh – Start the ssh subsystem
• Ssh_forget_host – Remove a host from the ssh host list
• Top – Set chasd log level
• Battery_test [<test length>] – Battery discharge rate test in seconds
• Connectivity – Show connectivity status
• Memory_test – Extensive memory tests in free memory
• Rollback – Roll back to the last cached system update
• Route [-n] [-6] – Show routing tables
• Storage_status – Read storage device vendor attributes, SMART health status, and error log
• Syslog <message> – Log message in syslog
• Free – Get an overview of memory usage
• Meminfo – Obtain detailed information about memory.
• Upload crashes – Upload a bug report to the bug server.
• Uptime – Check how long the computer has been running since the last shutdown
• Update_over_cellular enable – Enable automatic updates on the cellular network.
• Update_over_cellular disable – Disable automatic updates on the cellular network.
• Xset m [acc_mult[/acc_p][thr]] xset m default – Change the mouse acceleration rate.
• Xet r rate [delay [rate]] – Change auto repeat rate in milliseconds

Check battery status

One of the most basic functions you can perform in CROSH is to check the battery level and status of your Chromebook. To do so, follow the steps below.

1. Launch your Chrome browser.
   
2. Press the “Ctrl + Alt + t” keys simultaneously.
   
3. Connect your Chromebook to the air conditioning adapter and a power outlet.
   
4. Enter the following function in CROSH: “battery_test 1”. There must be a single space between “t” and “1”.
   
5. Press the “Enter” key.
   
6. Look for the next section: “The battery is charging.”
   
7. Unplug your A/C adapter from the Chromebook.
   
8. Enter the following command: “battery_test 10”(with space).
   
9. Press enter.”
   
10. Find “Battery status.” A percentage should appear next to this line.
    

If your battery percentage is over 50%, it means your battery is in good condition and working as needed.

Important note: If you are new to using the terminal, be sure to back up your files before continuing with any experiments. Doing so is easy on Chromebook and will save you valuable data in case you accidentally delete or damage important files while executing the command.

How to open CROSH on a school Chromebook

If you are a student, you can use the CROSH terminal to perform a variety of functions. If you were to look in your Chromebook’s app list, you wouldn’t find this diagnostic tool. Instead, you should use your browser.

Please note that you can use your Chromebook in normal mode to access CROSH. There is no need to start developer mode. Also, please note that you will not be able to use CROSH on the alternative operating systems Chrobuntu and Crouton.

Access CROSS

The procedure to start the terminal on your school laptop is the same as on any other Chrome computer.

1. Launch the Chrome browser on your school Chromebook.
   
2. Press the following keys together: “Ctrl + Alt + t”. You will see a new black screen open. This is your CROSH terminal.
   
3. Run whatever commands you want in the terminal.

If you need help with commands, you can enter “help” in the terminal to get a list of available commands. For a longer list and additional assistance, you can enter “advanced_help.”

Common CROSH Commands

These are some of the most popular features you can run on your Chromebook to get the most out of CROSH.

• Memory_test – Test your computer memory
• “Ctrl + C” – Stop a process in the terminal
• Ping [domain] – Run a diagnostic test for a particular domain
• Modem help – Configure the modem
• Top – Open the task manager
• Battery_test [sec] – Start the battery manager.
• Shell, packet_capture, systrace – Development mode commands
• Uptime – Uptime for users
• Set_Time – Modify time settings
• Syslog < message > – Log a syslog message
• Ssh_forget_shot – Remove a host from the ssh host list
• Connectivity – Show your connectivity status
• Tracepath – Crawl the network
• Network_diag – Network diagnosis.
• Meminfo, free – Memory information
• Upload crashes – Upload crash reports to the server.
• Live_in_a_coal_mine – Move to the Canary channel
• Tracepath – Crawl the network
• Rollback – Reinstall a previous version of Chrome OS
• Update_over_cellular [enable, disable] – Disable or enable automatic updates on the cellular network
• Exit – Exit the terminal

These are some of the most used functions to manage the terminal. Please note that using CROSH without knowing what you are doing can result in serious system damage or permanent file loss. Luckily for not-so-expert users, it’s easy to create a backup before you start experimenting on the terminal.

Additional FAQs

Does CROSH only work on Chromebook?

Since CROSH is not part of the Chromebook’s built-in application system, you must access it through a Chrome browser. This means that the terminal can be accessed from any device that uses Chrome as a browser. However, you can only take full advantage of CROSH’s functionality if you use it on a Chromebook device.

What is the shortcut to open CROSH?

You can open CROSH in your Chrome browser by pressing the following three keys at the same time: Ctrl + Alt + t and then pressing the Enter key. You do not need to activate developer mode to access CROSH in your browser.

Moving around in the CROSH diagnostic tool

CROSH is a useful tool for performing a variety of battery tests, diagnostics and checks. Accessing the terminal is super simple, since all you have to do is press three keys within the Chrome browser. However, using the commands requires some precision and knowledge. If you are unsure about any of the features provided in the article above, please use the Internet to research further or ask your professor or IT friend for help.

As you prepare to launch CROSH to do extensive work, don’t forget to make a backup beforehand!

When do you use CROSH on your Chromebook? How can CROSH help you improve your laptop or online experience? Share your thoughts and ideas in the comments section below.