How to Set Up ProtonVPN on Debian 12

Setting up ProtonVPN on Debian 12 is quick once you know the steps. In this guide, I’ll walk you through installing and configuring ProtonVPN using their official CLI tool. No fluff—just what you need to get secure and browsing privately.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure:

• You’re running Debian 12 (Bookworm).
• You have a ProtonVPN account (free or paid).
• You have sudo privileges on your system.
• Your system is updated.

Step 1: Update Your System

Open a terminal and run:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

This ensures all your packages are current before installing anything new.

Step 2: Install Required Dependencies

ProtonVPN CLI depends on some Python packages. Install them with:

sudo apt install -y openvpn dialog python3-pip python3-setuptools

Then install the ProtonVPN CLI via pip:

pip3 install protonvpn-cli

Step 3: Initialize ProtonVPN CLI

Run the initialization command:

sudo protonvpn init

It will prompt you to:

1. Choose your plan (Free, Basic, Plus, Visionary).
2. Enter your ProtonVPN username and password (not your email).
3. Choose the default protocol and DNS settings.

The CLI will save your preferences for future use.

Step 4: Connect to a VPN Server

To connect to the fastest server:

protonvpn c -f

Or connect to a specific country (example: Germany):

protonvpn c DE

Need a full list of country codes?

protonvpn s

Step 5: Confirm You’re Connected

Run:

protonvpn status

It will show the connection status, your current server, and your new IP.

To double-check your IP address externally:

curl ifconfig.me

Step 6: Disconnect When Done

To safely disconnect:

protonvpn d

Optional: Enable Kill Switch

To prevent any traffic leaks when disconnected:

sudo protonvpn ks --on

Turn it off with:

sudo protonvpn ks --off

Troubleshooting Tips

• Can’t connect? Try switching protocols or rebooting.
• Permission errors? Prefix commands with sudo.
• CLI not found after install? Try re-adding pip’s local bin to your PATH.

Final Thoughts

ProtonVPN CLI makes secure browsing on Debian straightforward. With this setup, you’re now encrypted, anonymous, and ready to go. Bookmark this page in case you ever need to reset or reinstall.

If you run into issues or want to automate your VPN usage, drop a comment or check ProtonVPN’s official GitHub.