---
name: paver-cli-install
title: Installing the IBM Paver CLI
description: Install the IBM Paver CLI on macOS, Linux, or Windows, and authenticate with your IBM Cloud account to get started.
last-updated: 2026-10-25
---

> ## Documentation Index
> The table of contents for this documentation set is at https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/paver?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.

# Installing the IBM Paver CLI
{: #paver-cli-install}

Install the IBM Paver CLI on macOS, Linux, or Windows, and authenticate with your IBM Cloud account to get started.
{: shortdesc}

## Install Paver CLI on macOS and Linux
{: #paver-install-mac-linux}

Run the following command to install the IBM Paver CLI:

```sh
curl -fsSL https://paver.cloud.ibm.com/cli/install | bash
```
{: pre}

After the installation completes, you must [authenticate with your IBM Cloud account](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/paver?topic=paver-paver-cli-install&format=markdown#paver-authentication) and target a specific account to get started.

## Install Paver CLI on Windows
{: #paver-install-windows}

On Windows, install the Paver CLI by using PowerShell.

### Before you begin
{: #paver-windows-prereqs}

Make sure that you have the following prerequisites:

* Windows 10 or 11
* PowerShell 5.1
* Node.js version 24 or later

### Set up your PowerShell working directory
{: #paver-windows-workdir}

1. Start PowerShell with **Run as administrator**. When you start PowerShell as an administrator, the default working directory is `C:\Windows\system32`.
1. Create a dedicated working directory, such as `C:\Paver`, and change to that directory:

   ```powershell
   New-Item -ItemType Directory -Path C:\Paver -Force
   ```
   {: pre}

   ```powershell
   Set-Location C:\Paver
   ```
   {: pre}

   Do not run setup commands or store files in `C:\Windows\system32`.
   {: important}

### Install the Paver CLI on Windows
{: #paver-install-windows-cli}

1. In the PowerShell window that you started as an administrator, make sure that your current working directory is `C:\Paver`.
1. Run the following command:

   ```powershell
   iwr https://paver.cloud.ibm.com/cli/install.ps1 | iex
   ```
   {: pre}

1. After the installer completes, open a new PowerShell window as an administrator and change to the `C:\Paver` directory.

   ```powershell
   Set-Location C:\Paver
   ```
   {: pre}

   Existing PowerShell windows don't pick up the updated `PATH`, so you must open a new window.
   {: important}

1. Verify the installation. A version string is displayed.

   ```powershell
   paver --version
   ```
   {: pre}

1. Update the CLI to the latest version, even if the CLI was already installed.

   ```powershell
   paver update --yes
   ```
   {: pre}

After the installation completes, you must [authenticate with your IBM Cloud account](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/paver?topic=paver-paver-cli-install&format=markdown#paver-authentication) and target a specific account to get started.

## Authenticating to Paver CLI
{: #paver-authentication}

You can authenticate with single sign-on (SSO) or an API key. You can also use `paver login` and a browser opens and prompts you to select the account that you want to target.

### Log in with SSO
{: #paver-sso-login}

To use SSO, run the following command:

```sh
paver login --sso
```
{: pre}

### Log in with an API key
{: #paver-api-key-login}

To use an API key and target your account, run the following commands:

1. Log in with your API key:

   ```sh
   paver login --apikey CLOUD_API_KEY
   ```
   {: pre}

   When you run `paver login --apikey CLOUD_API_KEY`, Paver automatically writes `ibmcloud_api_key` to your keyring with a 24-hour TTL. No extra step is required. The credential is available immediately in your next session.
   {: tip}

## Updating the Paver CLI
{: #paver-update-cli}

Update the CLI to the latest version:

```sh
paver update
```
{: pre}

## Next steps
{: #paver-cli-next-steps}

After you log in, start an interactive chat session with Paver in your terminal:

```sh
paver chat
```
{: pre}

In the chat, you can ask Paver about itself, explore available commands, or start working with your IBM Cloud account and resources. For more information, see [Tips for chatting with Paver](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/paver?topic=paver-paver-using&format=markdown#chat-tips). For a complete list of CLI commands and options, see the [Paver CLI command reference](https://paver.ibm.com/docs/cli-reference){: external}.

After you start an interactive chat, you can change your theme with the `/theme` command, Use `/theme list` to see the options, and then `/theme update <name>` to change it
{: tip}