> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://aspect.inc/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Installation and updates

> Install the Aspect CLI on macOS, Windows, or Linux, check mount prerequisites, and update an existing installation.

The CLI comes included with the **Aspect desktop app for macOS and Windows**. You can also install it separately on macOS, Windows, or Linux. You do not need to install Node.js, Bun, or Python to use it.

## Supported platforms

| Operating system | Release builds | Mounting prerequisite |
| - | - | - |
| macOS | Apple silicon and Intel | Aspect's bundled mount helper; the first mount may request administrator approval |
| Windows | x86-64 | WinFSP |
| Linux | x86-64 and ARM64 | FUSE 3, including `fusermount3` |

Mount prerequisites apply to `aspect mount`. Uploading, downloading, listing files, and retrieving proxies do not require a mounted drive.

## Install

### With the desktop app on macOS or Windows

[Download Aspect at aspect.inc/download](https://aspect.inc/download), install the version for your operating system, and open the app. The desktop app includes the CLI, so a separate CLI installation is not needed.

Open a new terminal and run `aspect --version` to check it. When the desktop app is running and signed in, the CLI uses the same account automatically.

### Standalone CLI

Use these installers for Linux, headless machines, or a CLI installation without the desktop app:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="macOS and Linux">
    ```bash theme={null}
    curl -fsSL https://aspect.inc/cli/install.sh | sh
    ```

    The installer detects your operating system and processor, downloads the matching release, checks its SHA-256, and installs it under `~/.aspect/bin`. It adds that directory to your shell's path when needed.

    Open a new terminal, or apply the `PATH` command printed by the installer.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Windows">
    Run in PowerShell:

    ```powershell theme={null}
    powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -c "irm https://aspect.inc/cli/install.ps1 | iex"
    ```

    The installer places the CLI under `%USERPROFILE%\.aspect\bin` and configures access from your terminal. Open a new terminal after installation.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

You can inspect or download the release files directly from [GitHub Releases](https://github.com/aspect-hq/aspect-cli/releases/latest). Keep the release payload together: the mount adapter and helpers accompany the `aspect` executable.

## Verify the installation

```bash theme={null}
aspect --version
aspect --help
aspect doctor
```

`doctor` reports local prerequisites and suggested fixes. A mount prerequisite warning does not mean that file transfers are unavailable.

### Linux mounting

Install FUSE 3 with your distribution's package manager. For Debian or Ubuntu:

```bash theme={null}
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install fuse3
```

Fedora uses `sudo dnf install fuse3`; Arch Linux uses `sudo pacman -S fuse3`. The installer tries to install FUSE 3 when it runs as root. Otherwise it prints guidance if FUSE is missing.

An interactive `aspect mount` can offer to install a missing prerequisite. Commands using `--json` do not prompt to install packages. Provision FUSE before running automated mount jobs.

### Windows and macOS mounting

On Windows, install [WinFSP](https://winfsp.dev/) if `aspect doctor` reports it missing. On macOS, the release includes Aspect's mount helper; a mount may request permission to install or update it. Follow the diagnostic message if the helper is missing.

## Update

```bash theme={null}
aspect upgrade
aspect --version
```

`upgrade` installs the latest published CLI release. When the CLI manages the filesystem service, an upgrade can restart it; finish work with mounted files before updating.

If the signed-in desktop app owns the service, the CLI installs the update and leaves that service running. Restart the Aspect app when instructed to update the service it runs.

Next, [sign in](/docs/cli/authentication) and [find a project](/docs/cli/paths).