# spectre-meltdown-checker > Spectre and Meltdown mitigation detection tool. > More information: . - Check the currently running kernel for Spectre or Meltdown: `sudo spectre-meltdown-checker` - Check the currently running kernel and show an explanation of the actions to take to mitigate a vulnerability: `sudo spectre-meltdown-checker --explain` - Check for specific variants (defaults to all): `sudo spectre-meltdown-checker --variant {{1|2|3|3a|4|l1tf|msbds|mfbds|mlpds|mdsum|taa|mcespc|srbds}}` - Display output using a specific output format: `sudo spectre-meltdown-checker --batch {{text|json|nrpe|prometheus|short}}` - Don't use the `/sys` interface even if present: `sudo spectre-meltdown-checker --no-sysfs` - Check a non-running kernel: `sudo spectre-meltdown-checker --kernel {{path/to/kernel_file}}`