Specify Test Panel User Guide

This guide summarizes how to work with the Specify 7 Test Panel as an SSH user.

πŸ”‘ Create and Use SSH Keys for the Specify Test Panel

1. Create a Directory for Your Keys

Open your terminal and run:

mkdir -p ~/Documents/specify_keys
cd ~/Documents/specify_keys

2. Generate a New SSH Key

Run the following command to create a secure SSH key:

ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 2048

  • When prompted:
    Enter file in which to save the key:
    Type: specify_key and press Enter

  • When prompted:
    Enter passphrase:
    Press Enter (leave empty unless you want to secure it with a passphrase)

  • When prompted again:
    Enter same passphrase again:
    Press Enter

3. Verify Key Creation

Run:

ls

You should see:

specify_key
specify_key.pub

4. Copy Your Public Key

Run:

cat specify_key.pub

  • Copy the full output.

  • Send this to the person managing the Specify test panel server so they can add your key.

πŸ–₯️ Connect to the Test Panel Server

Once your key has been added, connect by running:

ssh -i ~/Documents/specify_keys/specify_key ubuntu@test.specifysystems.org

Replace the path if your folder or key is named differently.

When prompted:

Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no/[fingerprint])?

Type yes and press Enter.

You are now connected to the Specify Test Panel.

🐳 Docker: View and Access Running Containers

1. See All Running Docker Instances

Run:

docker stats --no-stream

2. Filter by Instance Name

To search for a specific instance, run:

docker stats --no-stream | grep <instance-name>

Example:

docker stats --no-stream | grep ojsmnh2025-production

3. Access the Container

Copy the second column from the output (example: specify7-test-panel-osjmnh2025-production-2-1), then run:

docker exec -it <container-name> bash

Example:

docker exec -it specify7-test-panel-osjmnh2025-production-2-1 bash

Now you’re inside the running Docker container.

πŸ› οΈ Django Migrations

1. View List Of All Migrations

Run:

ve/bin/python manage.py showmigrations

  • Migrations that have already run will be marked with [X].

2. Run a Migration

Run:

ve/bin/python manage.py migrate <app-name> <migration-name or number>

Example:

ve/bin/python manage.py migrate specify 0029