---
title: "Starting Backup Job in Command Line Interface"
description: "You can start a backup job with the command line interface. When you start a backup job, Veeam Agent initiates a new backup job session and provides you with a Session ID."
canonical: "https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/agentforaix/userguide/backup_job_start_cmd.html"
breadcrumb: "User Guide > Performing Backup > Starting and Stopping Backup Jobs > Starting Backup Job in Command Line Interface"
dateModified: "2026-11-03"
---

# Starting Backup Job in Command Line Interface

You can start a backup job with the command line interface. When you start a backup job, Veeam Agent initiates a new backup job session and provides you with a Session ID. You can monitor the progress of the backup job session or view the session status.


::: note

Veeam Agent performs one backup job at a time. You cannot start a backup job when another backup job is already running.

:::

To start a backup job, use the following command:

```
veeamconfig job start --name <job_name>
```

or

```
veeamconfig job start --id <job_id>
```

where:

- `<job_name>` — name of the backup job that you want to start.
- `<job_id>` — ID of the backup job that you want to start.

::: tip

You can use the `veeamconfig job start` command with the `--activefull` option to create active full backups. To learn more, see [Creating Active Full Backups in Command Line Interface](backup_active_full.md).


:::

For example:

```
$ veeamconfig job start --name SystemBackup
Backup job has been started.
Session ID: [{381532f7-426a-4e89-b9fc-43d98942c71a}].
Logs stored in: [/var/log/veeam/Backup/SystemBackup/Session_20250307_162608_{381532f7-426a-4e89-b9fc-43d98942c71a}].
```

Veeam Agent will start the backup job. You can [check the backup job session status](session_status.md) or [view the backup job session log](session_logs.md).


You can also monitor the backup job performance in the Veeam Agent control panel. To learn more, see [Viewing Real-Time Session Statistics and Log](session_realtime_statistics.md).


## Related Topic

[Creating Active Full Backups in Command Line Interface](backup_active_full.md)