---
name: cli-faq
title: FAQs for the IBM Cloud CLI
description: FAQs for the IBM Cloud® Command Line Interface (IBM Cloud CLI) include questions about CLI versioning, updates, and working with apps. To find all FAQs for IBM Cloud, see the FAQ library.
last-updated: 2025-08-13
---

> ## 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.

# FAQs for the IBM Cloud CLI
{: #ibm-cli-faq}

FAQs for the IBM Cloud® Command Line Interface (IBM Cloud CLI) include questions about CLI versioning, updates, and working with apps. To find all FAQs for IBM Cloud, see the [FAQ library](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/faqs?format=markdown).
{: shortdesc}

## Do I have to use the latest version of the IBM Cloud CLI?
{: #cli-latest-version}
{: faq}

Yes, you must use the latest version. You can check which version you are using by running the following command:

```bash
ibmcloud -v
```
{: codeblock}

## How do I update the CLI?
{: #cli-update-version}
{: faq}
{: support}

Run the following command to update to the latest version of the CLI:

```bash
ibmcloud update
```
{: codeblock}

## How can I be notified about new CLI releases?
{: #cli-get-notified}
{: faq}
{: support}

When you run an IBM Cloud CLI command, you're notified if a new version is available. You can also subscribe to the [IBM Cloud CLI releases repository](https://github.com/IBM-Cloud/ibm-cloud-cli-release/releases/){: external} to stay up to date on the latest releases.

## How do I install the IBM Cloud CLI along with developer plug-ins and tools?
{: #cli-install-devtools-manually}
{: faq}

To install the latest IBM Cloud CLI and recommended plug-ins and tools for developing applications for IBM Cloud, follow the steps in [Getting started with the IBM Cloud CLI](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/cli?topic=cli-getting-started&format=markdown) and [Extending IBM Cloud CLI with plug-ins](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/cli?topic=cli-plug-ins&format=markdown).

To install only the stand-alone IBM Cloud CLI without any plug-ins or tools, see [Installing the stand-alone IBM Cloud CLI](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/cli?topic=cli-install-ibmcloud-cli&format=markdown).

## How do I download a plug-in?
{: #cli-install-download-local}
{: faq}

Use the `ibmcloud plugin download PLUGIN_NAME` command to download a plug-in. For more information, see [`ibmcloud plugin download`](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/cli?topic=cli-ibmcloud_commands_settings&format=markdown#ibmcloud_plugin_download).

Example: `ibmcloud plugin download container-service -v 0.1.425`

## How do I install a plug-in locally?
{: #cli-install-plugin-local}
{: faq}

Use the `ibmcloud plugin install LOCAL_FILE_NAME` command to install a plug-in binary on your local computer. For example:
```bash
ibmcloud plugin install ./code-engine-darwin-amd64-1.23.2
```
{: codeblock}

```text
Installing plugin './code-engine-darwin-amd64-1.23.2'...
OK
Plug-in 'code-engine 1.23.2' was successfully installed into /Users/username/.bluemix/plugins/code-engine. Use 'ibmcloud plugin show code-engine' to show its details.
$
```
{: screen}

## How do I install a plug-in from a URL?
{: #cli-install-plugin-url}
{: faq}

Use the `ibmcloud plugin install URL` command to install a plug-in directly from a URL. For example:
```bash
ibmcloud plugin install http://example.com/downloads/my-plugin
```
{: codeblock}


## Which CLI plug-ins support private endpoints?
{: #cli-private-endpoint-plugins-faq}
{: faq}
{: support}

To find out which installed CLI plug-ins support private endpoints, use the [`ibmcloud plugin list`](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/cli?topic=cli-ibmcloud_commands_settings&format=markdown#ibmcloud_plugin_list) command.

## Which regions support classic private endpoints?
{: #cli-private-endpoint-faq}
{: faq}
{: support}

Regions that support classic private endpoints are `us-east` and `us-south`.

A region must be targeted when a private endpoint is set in the IBM Cloud CLI.

For more information about regions, see [Locations for resource deployment](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/overview?topic=overview-locations&format=markdown) and [Service and infrastructure availability by location](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/overview?topic=overview-services_region&format=markdown).

For more information about private endpoints including VPC private endpoints, see [Securing your connection when using the IBM Cloud CLI](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/cli?topic=cli-service-connection&format=markdown).