# Install Aspire CLI

Aspire provides a command-line interface (CLI) tool to help you create and manage Aspire-based apps. The CLI streamlines your development workflow with an interactive-first experience. This guide shows you how to install the Aspire CLI on your system. Choose the package manager that fits your environment — Homebrew, npm, NuGet, WinGet, or mise — or use the install script for direct setup.

:::tip[Using VS Code?]
The [Aspire VS Code extension](/get-started/aspire-vscode-extension/) can install the CLI for you. From the Command Palette, run:

```text title="Command Palette"
> Aspire: Install Aspire CLI (stable)
```

:::

<LearnMore>
  Before installing the Aspire CLI, ensure you have the [required
  prerequisites](/get-started/prerequisites/) set up.
</LearnMore>

## Install with a package manager

Install the Aspire CLI with a package manager to manage it alongside your other developer tooling. Choose the option that fits your environment:

Install the Aspire CLI with [Homebrew](https://brew.sh/) on macOS (Apple silicon and Intel).

```bash title="Install with Homebrew"
brew install --cask microsoft/aspire/aspire
```

Install the Aspire CLI from [npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@microsoft/aspire-cli) when you manage developer tooling with npm. This option requires [Node.js](/get-started/prerequisites/).

```bash title="Install with npm"
npm install -g @microsoft/aspire-cli
```

The same command works on Windows, macOS, and Linux (including musl-based distributions such as Alpine). npm selects the correct native binary for your operating system and architecture automatically.

To update an npm-based install, run:

```bash title="Update with npm"
npm install -g @microsoft/aspire-cli@latest
```

:::note
When you install from npm, the Aspire CLI routes self-updates through npm. Running `aspire update --self` prints the npm update command rather than downloading a new binary directly. For more information, see [`aspire update`](/reference/cli/commands/aspire-update/).
:::

Install the Aspire CLI as a .NET global tool when you manage developer tooling with the .NET SDK. This option requires the [.NET SDK](/get-started/prerequisites/).

```bash title="Install with the .NET CLI"
dotnet tool install -g Aspire.Cli
```

The CLI is published to NuGet.org as the [Aspire.Cli](https://www.nuget.org/packages/Aspire.Cli) global tool and works on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Install the Aspire CLI with the [Windows Package Manager](https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/package-manager/) (WinGet) on Windows (x64 and Arm64).

```powershell title="Install with WinGet"
winget install Microsoft.Aspire
```

Install the Aspire CLI with [mise](https://mise.jdx.dev/) when you manage developer tooling with a shared tool version manager. The Aspire CLI is available from the mise registry as `aspire`.

```bash title="Install with mise"
mise use -g aspire
```

## Install with the install script

Download and run the installation script in a single command:

<OsAwareTabs syncKey="terminal">
  <Code
    slot="unix"
    lang="bash"
    title="Install script (macOS/Linux)"
    code="curl -sSL https://aspire.dev/install.sh | bash"
  />
  <Code
    slot="windows"
    lang="powershell"
    title="Install script (Windows)"
    code="irm https://aspire.dev/install.ps1 | iex"
  />
</OsAwareTabs>

The script installs the latest stable release of Aspire CLI. During installation, you might be asked `Do you want to continue?`. Reply with `Y` for Yes or `A` for Yes to All to continue downloading and running the install script. See [Validation](#validation) to verify the installation.

:::tip
At any time, you can reopen the **Install Aspire CLI** command modal from the top navigation (download icon ). The modal shows the download-and-install command for your OS, so you can run the installer again when needed.
:::

You only need to download the script separately if you want to inspect it or run the installer as separate commands. For more information, see the [aspire-install script reference](/reference/cli/install-script/).

## Validation

To validate that the Aspire CLI is installed, use `aspire --version` to query Aspire CLI for a version number:

```bash title="Check installed version"
aspire --version
```

If that command works, you're presented with the version of the Aspire CLI tool:

```bash title="Aspire CLI — Output" data-disable-copy
13.4.0+{commitSHA}
```

The `+{commitSHA}` suffix indicates the specific commit from which the Aspire CLI was built.

<LearnMore>
  Learn more by reading the [Aspire CLI reference](/reference/cli/overview/)
  documentation.
</LearnMore>
**Troubleshooting:** If you're not seeing a version number, it's possible that your terminal
  session needs to be restarted to pick up the changes to your PATH environment
  variable. Simply close and reopen your terminal, then try running the `aspire
  --version` command again.

## See also

- [aspire-install script reference](/reference/cli/install-script/)
- [`@microsoft/aspire-cli` on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@microsoft/aspire-cli) — run the CLI with `npm` or `npx`
- [`aspire` command reference](/reference/cli/commands/aspire/)
- [Aspire VS Code extension](/get-started/aspire-vscode-extension/) — install the CLI and use Aspire commands from within VS Code