Installation

cardano-init is a single binary with no runtime dependencies.

Run without installing

Using npx:

npx cardano-init help

Using Nix:

nix run github:input-output-hk/cardano-init -- help

Install script

Linux and macOS (x86_64 and arm64):

curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -LsSf https://github.com/input-output-hk/cardano-init/releases/latest/download/cardano-init-installer.sh | sh

Windows (PowerShell):

irm https://github.com/input-output-hk/cardano-init/releases/latest/download/cardano-init-installer.ps1 | iex

To install a specific version, or to download the binary yourself, use the Releases page.

Nix (flake)

# Install the CLI into your profile
nix profile add github:input-output-hk/cardano-init

# Or run it once, without installing
nix run github:input-output-hk/cardano-init -- help

Cargo

You need a recent Rust toolchain that supports the 2024 edition.

# From the published repository
cargo install --git https://github.com/input-output-hk/cardano-init

# Or from a local clone
cargo install --path .

Verify

cardano-init --version

The projects cardano-init generates need just and the toolchain of each tool you select (Aiken, Node.js, a JVM, Docker, …). You can install these after you generate a project: run cardano-init doctor inside it to see what is missing and how to install it.