# Interactive processes

Start an interactive command, keep its terminal focused for input, respond to prompts deliberately, and stop it cleanly when finished.

![Interactive processes in Foxora Desktop v5.0.3](/docs/images/v5.0.3/desktop/stage-terminal.webp)

## Where this lives

Open a project-backed task, then choose **Stage → Terminal**.

Terminals run commands in the active project working directory and stream stdout, stderr, process state, and exit status into an inspectable surface.

> **Safety:** Review commands that install software, change Git state, access secrets, use elevated privileges, or affect files outside the project.

## Steps

1. Open a project-backed task, then choose **Stage → Terminal**.
2. Start an interactive command.
3. Keep its terminal focused for input, respond to prompts deliberately.
4. Stop it cleanly when finished.
5. **Confirm the result.** Check the exit code and resulting system or file state; successful-looking output alone is not enough.

## Choose the right path

- Run a foreground command for short tasks.
- Use a background process for servers and watchers.
- Open separate terminals for independent long-running processes.


## Confirm it worked

- Check the exit code and resulting system or file state; successful-looking output alone is not enough.
- The screen, command, file, run, or destination named in this guide reflects the expected state.