---
title: ""
url: "https://docs.yugabyte.com/stable/quick-start/explore/docker/explore-ycql/"
---

# 

Run ycqlsh to connect to the service as follows:

```sh
$ docker exec -it yugabyte bash -c '/home/yugabyte/bin/ycqlsh $(hostname)'
```

```output
Connected to local cluster at 127.0.0.1:9042.
[ycqlsh 5.0.1 | Cassandra 3.9-SNAPSHOT | CQL spec 3.4.2 | Native protocol v4]
Use HELP for help.
ycqlsh>
```

Run a YCQL command to verify it is working.

```cql
ycqlsh> describe keyspaces;
```

```output
system_schema  system_auth  system

ycqlsh>
```