> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://continue-docs-dependabot-npm-and-yarn-docs-typeorm-0-3-30.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Quickstart

export const OSAutoDetect = () => {
  return <script dangerouslySetInnerHTML={{
    __html: `
          if (typeof window !== 'undefined') {
            window.addEventListener('load', function() {
              const ua = navigator.userAgent.toLowerCase();
              const isWindows = ua.includes('win');
              const isMac = ua.includes('mac');
              const isLinux = ua.includes('linux');
              // macOS/Linux (0), Windows (1), npm (2 - default)
              let tabIndex = 2;
              if (isMac || isLinux) {
                tabIndex = 0;
              } else if (isWindows) {
                tabIndex = 1;
              }

              const tabButtons = document.querySelectorAll('[role="tablist"] button');
              if (tabButtons && tabButtons[tabIndex]) {
                tabButtons[tabIndex].click();
              }
            });
          }
        `
  }} />;
};

<OSAutoDetect />

Continue CLI (`cn`) is a terminal-based coding agent. It can edit files, run commands, and work through multi-step tasks — the same agent that powers the Continue IDE extensions, running in your terminal.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/continue-docs-dependabot-npm-and-yarn-docs-typeorm-0-3-30/yQDtge6ACrd4U_EM/images/cn-demo.gif?s=e6225d8bc7b15b1b8a7b822afdb1bec6" width="1588" height="1080" data-path="images/cn-demo.gif" />
</Frame>

## Install

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="macOS / Linux">
    ```bash theme={null}
    curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/continuedev/continue/main/extensions/cli/scripts/install.sh | bash
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Windows">
    ```powershell theme={null}
    irm https://raw.githubusercontent.com/continuedev/continue/main/extensions/cli/scripts/install.ps1 | iex
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="npm (cross-platform)">
    If you already have Node.js 20+:

    ```bash theme={null}
    npm i -g @continuedev/cli
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

Verify the installation:

```bash theme={null}
cn --version
```

### Requirements

* **Node.js 20+** — needed for the npm install path. The shell installer bundles its own runtime.
* A [Continue](https://continue.dev) account, or an Anthropic API key.

## First run

```bash theme={null}
cd your-project
cn
```

On first launch you'll be asked to log in with [Continue](https://continue.dev) or enter an Anthropic API key. After that, you're in a session and can start typing.

## Authentication

### Log in with Continue

```bash theme={null}
cn login
```

This opens your browser to authenticate with [Continue](https://continue.dev). Once authenticated, `cn` can use your configured assistants, models, and MCP servers from the platform.

### API key (headless / CI)

For automation environments where there's no browser, set the `CONTINUE_API_KEY` environment variable:

```bash theme={null}
export CONTINUE_API_KEY=your-key-here
cn -p "your prompt"
```

### Local API key

If you don't want to use Continue, you can use an Anthropic API key directly. On first launch, `cn` will prompt you to choose between logging in with Continue or entering an Anthropic API key.

## Two modes

**[TUI mode](/cli/tui-mode)** — run `cn` to start an interactive session. You type messages, reference files with `@`, approve tool calls, and iterate with the agent. This is the default.

**[Headless mode](/cli/headless-mode)** — run `cn -p "your prompt"` for single-shot automation. The agent runs to completion and prints its response to stdout. Use this in scripts, CI/CD, and git hooks.

## Common flags

| Flag                      | Effect                                        |
| ------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| `-p "prompt"`             | Headless mode — run prompt and exit           |
| `--config <path or slug>` | Use a specific config file or assistant       |
| `--resume`                | Resume the most recent session                |
| `--auto`                  | Allow all tools without prompting             |
| `--readonly`              | Plan mode — read-only tools only              |
| `--allow <tool>`          | Allow a specific tool (repeatable)            |
| `--exclude <tool>`        | Exclude a specific tool (repeatable)          |
| `--rule <rule>`           | Add a rule — file path or string (repeatable) |
| `--mcp <slug>`            | Add an MCP server by slug (repeatable)        |
| `--model <slug>`          | Add a model by slug (repeatable)              |
| `--agent <slug>`          | Load an agent file by slug                    |
| `--verbose`               | Enable verbose logging                        |

Run `cn --help` for the full list.