---
name: cli-index
title: Getting started with the IBM Cloud CLI
description: In this tutorial, you install the latest version of the stand-alone IBM Cloud® Command Line Interface.
last-updated: 2026-04-30
---

> ## Documentation Index
> The table of contents for this documentation set is at https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/cli?format=markdown
> The index for all IBM Cloud docs is at: https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use these files to discover more information as needed.

# Getting started with the IBM Cloud CLI
{: #getting-started}
{: toc-content-type="tutorial"}
{: toc-services=""}
{: toc-completion-time="30m"}

In this tutorial, you install the latest version of the stand-alone IBM Cloud® Command Line Interface.
{: shortdesc}

Want to start working with the IBM Cloud CLI? Try out IBM Cloud Shell, which gives you a personal cloud-based shell workspace with the full IBM Cloud CLI and tons of command line tools - no installation needed. To get started, click the Cloud Shell icon ![IBM Cloud Shell icon](../icons/terminal-cloud-shell.svg) in the IBM Cloud console menu bar. For more information, see [Getting started with IBM Cloud Shell](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/cloud-shell?topic=cloud-shell-getting-started&format=markdown).
{: tip}

## Before you begin
{: #idt-prereq}

* Depending on your [IBM Cloud® account type](https://cloud.ibm.com/registration){: external}, access to certain resources might be limited or constrained. Depending on your plan limits, certain capabilities that are required by some toolchains might not be available. For more information, see [Setting up your IBM Cloud account](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/account?topic=account-account-getting-started&format=markdown).
* For Linux™, install the [curl](https://curl.se/download.html){: external} command for downloading packages through the command line. If `curl` is already installed, the installer updates it to the latest version.

If you need to use a 32-bit version of the CLI, or a previous version other than the latest for IBM Cloud dedicated environments, see [IBM Cloud CLI releases](https://github.com/IBM-Cloud/ibm-cloud-cli-release/releases/){: external}.
{: note}

## Running the installation command
{: #step1-install-idt}
{: step}

The latest version of the IBM Cloud CLI is installed when you run the command. As the CLI installs, keep an eye on the command line to authenticate as needed.

* For MacOS, run the following command:
   ```curl
   curl -fsSL https://clis.cloud.ibm.com/install/osx | sh
   ```
   {: codeblock}

* For Linux™, run the following command:
   ```curl
   curl -fsSL https://clis.cloud.ibm.com/install/linux | sh
   ```
   {: codeblock}

* For Windows™, run the following command in PowerShell as an administrator:
   ```curl
   iex (New-Object Net.WebClient).DownloadString('https://clis.cloud.ibm.com/install/powershell')
   ```
   {: codeblock}

   To open PowerShell, right-click the Windows™ PowerShell icon, and select **Run as administrator**.
   {: tip}

* For WSL2 on Windows™, run the following command:
   ```curl
   curl -fsSL https://clis.cloud.ibm.com/install/linux | sh
   ```

## Verifying the installation
{: #step2-verify-idt}
{: step}

To verify that the CLI was installed successfully, run the `help` command:
```text
ibmcloud help
```
{: codeblock}

The output lists the usage instructions, the current version, and the supported commands.

## Installing CLI plug-ins and tools
{: #step3-install-idt-manually}
{: step}

To manually install the CLI plug-ins and tools, see [Extending IBM Cloud CLI with plug-ins](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/cli?topic=cli-plug-ins&format=markdown).

## Configuring your environment
{: #step4-configure-idt-env}
{: step}

Log in to IBM Cloud with your IBMid. If you have multiple accounts, you are prompted to select which account to use. If you do not specify a region with the `-r` flag, you must also select a region.
   ```text
   ibmcloud login
   ```
   {: codeblock}

If your credentials are rejected, you might be using a federated ID. To log in with a federated ID, use the `--sso` flag. See [Logging in with a federated ID](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/iam?topic=iam-federated_id&interface=ui&format=markdown) for more details.
{: tip}

## Next steps
{: #next-steps}

If you installed the CLI plug-ins and tools, you can start to use IBM Cloud resources and services on the CLI. For more information, see [General IBM Cloud CLI (ibmcloud) commands](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/cli?topic=cli-ibmcloud_cli&format=markdown). Also, keep in mind the [Getting help and support](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/cli?topic=cli-getting-help&format=markdown) page if you have questions or problems.

Stay up to date with the IBM Cloud CLI by subscribing to the [IBM Cloud CLI releases repository](https://github.com/IBM-Cloud/ibm-cloud-cli-release/releases/){: external}. You'll receive notifications about new IBM Cloud CLI releases.

IBM Cloud CLI supports a plug-in framework to extend its capability. [Discover and install new CLI plug-ins](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/cli?topic=cli-plug-ins&format=markdown)!

Need a hand with remembering IBM Cloud CLI commands? Print the [IBM Cloud CLI quick reference](https://cloud.ibm.com/media/docs/downloads/IBM%20Cloud%20CLI%20quick%20reference.pdf){: external} to keep commands for common tasks at your fingertips.
{: tip}