# Installing the CRE CLI on Windows
Source: https://docs.chain.link/cre/getting-started/cli-installation/windows
Last Updated: 2026-04-10


export const CRE_CLI_VERSION = VERSIONS["cre-cli"].LATEST

This page explains how to install the Chainlink Developer Platform CLI (also referred to as the CRE CLI) on Windows. The recommended version at the time of writing is **{CRE_CLI_VERSION}**.

## Installation

Choose your installation method:

- **[Automatic installation](#automatic-installation)** - Quick setup with a PowerShell script
- **[Manual installation](#manual-installation)** - Download and install the binary yourself

### Automatic installation

The easiest way to install the CRE CLI is using the installation script. Open **PowerShell** and run:

```powershell
irm https://app.chain.link/cre/install.ps1 | iex
```

This script will:

- Download the correct binary for Windows
- Verify the binary's integrity
- Install it to `$env:LOCALAPPDATA\Programs\cre`
- Make the binary executable

After the script completes, **open a new PowerShell window** and verify the installation:

```powershell
cre version
```

**Expected output:** `CRE CLI version {CRE_CLI_VERSION}`

### Manual installation

If you prefer to install manually or the automatic installation doesn't work for your environment, follow these steps:

The CRE CLI is publicly available on GitHub. Click the button below to access the releases page and download `cre_windows_amd64.zip`.

After downloading the file from the releases page, move on to the next step to verify its integrity.

#### 1. Verify file integrity

Before installing, verify the file integrity using a checksum to ensure the binary hasn't been tampered with.

**Check the SHA-256 checksum**

Open a PowerShell terminal and run the following command in the directory where you downloaded the archive:

```powershell
Get-FileHash cre_windows_amd64.zip -Algorithm SHA256
```

**Verify against the official checksum**

Compare the `Hash` value in the output with the official checksum from the [CRE CLI releases page](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/cre-cli/releases):

1. Go to [https://github.com/smartcontractkit/cre-cli/releases](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/cre-cli/releases)
2. Find the release version you downloaded (e.g., {CRE_CLI_VERSION})
3. Under the **Assets** section, locate `cre_windows_amd64.zip`
4. Compare the SHA-256 checksum shown next to the file with the `Hash` value from your PowerShell output

**Example:** For `cre_windows_amd64.zip` in release {CRE_CLI_VERSION}, you'll see something like:

```
cre_windows_amd64.zip
sha256:372d16566479ff6bbfe9eb1d5cebe0e1e2a3c67062c6f0439fc96c735ddeaa18
```

If the checksums match, the file is authentic and safe to install. If they don't match, do not proceed with installation and contact the Chainlink team for assistance.

#### 2. Extract and install

1. Navigate to the directory where you downloaded the archive.
2. Right-click the `.zip` file and select **Extract All...**.
3. Choose a permanent location for the extracted folder (e.g., `C:\Program Files\cre-cli`).
4. Inside the extracted folder, rename the file `cre_{CRE_CLI_VERSION}_windows_amd64.exe` to `cre.exe`.

#### 3. Add the CLI to your PATH

To run `cre` commands from any directory, you need to add the folder where you saved `cre.exe` to your system's PATH environment variable.

1. Open the **Start Menu** and search for "environment variables".
2. Select **Edit the system environment variables**.
3. In the System Properties window, click the **Environment Variables...** button.
4. In the **System variables** section, find and select the `Path` variable, then click **Edit...**.
5. Click **New** and add the full path to the folder where you saved `cre.exe` (e.g., `C:\Program Files\cre-cli`).
6. Click **OK** on all windows to save your changes.

> **NOTE: Note**
>
> You must open a **new** terminal window for the PATH changes to take effect.

#### 4. Verify the installation

Open a new **PowerShell** or **Command Prompt** window and run:

```bash
cre version
```

You should see version information: `cre version {CRE_CLI_VERSION}`.

## Next steps

Now that you have the `cre` CLI installed, you'll need to create a CRE account and authenticate before you can use it.

- **[Creating Your Account](/cre/account/creating-account)**: Create your CRE account and set up two-factor authentication
- **[Logging in with the CLI](/cre/account/cli-login)**: Authenticate the CLI with your account

Once you're authenticated, you're ready to build your first workflow:

- **[Getting Started — Part 1: Project Setup & Simulation](/cre/getting-started/part-1-project-setup)**: Initialize a new, blank CRE project and run your first "Hello World!" simulation.