In the Junos OS, the Command Line Interface (CLI) uses distinct prompt symbols to provide the administrator with immediate contextual awareness of their current operating environment. When the prompt ends with a hash symbol (#) , it indicates that the user is in configuration mode .
This mode is the " engine room " of the device, where you modify the candidate configuration. Here, you can add, delete, or modify statements across the various hierarchies like [edit system], [edit interfaces] , or [edit protocols]. It is important to remember that changes made while the # prompt is visible are not active until a commit command is successfully executed.
Contrast this with the operational mode , which is indicated by a greater-than symbol ( > ) . Operational mode is used for monitoring, troubleshooting, and viewing the system status (e.g., show commands). Moving between these modes is a fundamental part of the Junos workflow: you enter configuration mode by typing configure and return to operational mode by typing exit or quit. If you see a percent sign (%), you ' ve wandered into the FreeBSD shell mode , which is a lower-level Unix environment typically reserved for advanced system maintenance. Recognizing that # means you have the power to change the system ' s " brain " is a key safety check for any network architect.
