AlgoKit is a free, open-source command-line tool from the Algorand Foundation, built for developers who write applications on the Algorand blockchain. It is aimed at people who want a single entry point for setting up projects, testing contracts and deploying to the network, rather than assembling separate tools by hand.
For a Windows developer, the appeal is practical. AlgoKit gives you project templates, a local test network, and utility libraries in one place, so the time between an idea and a working test transaction is much shorter. It is most useful for those already comfortable with Python or TypeScript who are new to Algorand or want a standard workflow across their team.
What Is AlgoKit and Who Is It For?
AlgoKit is a developer tool rather than an end-user application. It is designed for people building decentralized applications, smart contracts or other on-chain logic on Algorand. If you only want to hold or send tokens, a wallet is the right kind of software, and AlgoKit is not.
The typical user is a Python or TypeScript developer who wants to move from concept to a tested prototype with minimal friction. Students learning blockchain development and teams standardizing their workflow also benefit, since the templates give everyone the same starting structure.
How the Parts of the Toolkit Fit Together
It helps to think of AlgoKit as layers. At the top are the CLI and templates, which handle project setup. Below them sit the utility libraries, which handle common actions such as deploying an application. At the bottom is the core Algorand SDK, which talks to the protocol directly.
You can work at whichever layer suits the task. Beginners can rely on the top layers for almost everything, while experienced developers can drop down to the SDK when they need precise control over transaction construction.
Real-World Development Scenarios
A common workflow starts with creating a project from a template, writing a contract in TEALScript or Python, and running it against LocalNet. Once the behavior looks right, the same code is deployed to a public Algorand network for further testing.
Another scenario is a team building a small decentralized application. Shared templates and a common CLI reduce the time spent on configuration, and the lora explorer helps reviewers check transaction results together.
Understanding Smart Contracts and Smart Signatures
On Algorand, two kinds of programs run on the Algorand Virtual Machine. Smart contracts, usually called applications, hold state and respond to calls. Smart signatures, also called logic signatures, are small programs that decide whether a transaction may be authorized.
Knowing this distinction matters when designing an app. AlgoKit and TEALScript support both, so you can choose the right tool for each job rather than forcing all logic into one model.
Key features
Command-Line Interface
VS Code Integration
Lora Explorer Integration
Quick Project Start
Template Libraries
SDKs and Libraries
AlgoKit Utils
Algorand SDK Access
TEALScript Support
LocalNet
Supported coins
The documentation mentions Algorand as the network AlgoKit is built to work with. Since it is a developer toolkit, its scope is the building and testing of applications on that network rather than support for a list of tokens.
How to install AlgoKit on Windows
PS> winget install AlgorandFoundation.AlgoKit- 1
Check WinGet
Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and run winget --version. WinGet comes preinstalled on recent versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11. If the command is not found, install the App Installer package from Microsoft Store first.
- 2
Install AlgoKit
Run winget install AlgorandFoundation.AlgoKit in the terminal. WinGet downloads and installs the program. Once the process finishes, close and reopen the terminal so the algokit command becomes available in your PATH.
- 3
Verify the Installation
Run algokit --version to confirm the install worked and check which version is active. The current release is 2.10.2.
- 4
Install Docker for LocalNet (optional)
LocalNet requires Docker, and Docker Compose version 2.5.0 or higher. Install Docker Desktop from its official source if you plan to run a local network. You can skip this step if you only need the CLI and templates for now.
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Download Only from Trusted Sources
Use WinGet with the official package identifier, or download from the Algorand Foundation's official website or the project's GitHub Releases page. Avoid third-party mirrors.
System requirements
- WinGet, included by default on recent versions of Windows 10 and later
- Docker with Docker Compose 2.5.0 or higher, only if you use AlgoKit LocalNet
- Additional dependencies may be needed depending on which AlgoKit CLI features you use
How to use AlgoKit
AlgoKit is used from the command line. Once it is installed, a typical session begins with creating a project from a template and then working through a simple build-and-test cycle. The steps below cover a basic first run.
- Open a terminal and run algokit --version to confirm the installation.
- Create a new project from a template using the algokit init command, and follow the prompts to choose the template and project name.
- Open the new project folder in VS Code. The included configuration files set up the editor for you.
- If you plan to test locally, start LocalNet with algokit localnet start. Docker must be running first.
- Build and test your contract using the commands documented for the chosen template.
- Use the lora explorer to inspect the transactions and application state produced by your test runs.
- When you are satisfied, deploy to a network using the deployment commands described in the official documentation.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source under the MIT License
- Single toolkit covering project setup, testing and deployment
- Ready-made templates and VS Code configuration reduce setup time
- Python and TypeScript utility libraries for common tasks
- Local test network lets you iterate without public-network activity
- Simple installation through WinGet
- Aimed at developers; it does not help with holding or sending tokens
- Some features need Docker, which adds setup work on Windows
- Advanced use still requires knowledge of Algorand's protocol and the AVM
- Documentation is primarily in the project's GitHub repository
Is AlgoKit safe?
AlgoKit is open-source developer software that runs on your machine, so it is worth taking basic precautions. Install it from WinGet using the official identifier, or download it from the Algorand Foundation website or the project's GitHub Releases page. Avoid copies from unofficial sites. If you download a file manually, compare its SHA-256 checksum with the value published by the project, or verify the signature where one is provided.
Never enter a seed phrase or private key into any website or tool that asks for it outside your own wallet software. Developers often test with throwaway accounts on LocalNet, which avoids exposing real keys during experiments. Keep project code and credentials separate, and review any template code before running it.
- Official source only. Download from algorand.foundation. Ignore ads and lookalike domains.
- Check the SHA-256. Compare the installer hash with the value the developer publishes before running it.
- Never share your seed phrase. No developer, support agent or website — including CryptApps — will ever ask for it.
Alternatives
AlgoKit sits in a different niche from most tools on this list. Algoml is a domain-specific language that compiles into TEAL, so it focuses on how you write contracts. Algojig and Graviton focus on testing contracts, while AlgoKit covers the wider workflow of project setup, local networks and deployment.
Conduit is a data pipeline framework for moving and indexing blockchain data, which is useful once an application is live. VibeKit takes a different approach by giving AI coding assistants tools for building on Algorand, which may suit developers who want assisted coding. For a broad, all-in-one starting point on Algorand, AlgoKit is usually the first choice, and specialized tools can be added as the project grows.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- MIT License
- Latest version
- 2.10.2
- Last update
- 28 May 2026
- Windows support
- Yes (available via winget)
- Official site
- algorand.foundation
- Source code
- github.com/algorandfoundation/algokit-cli
- Install command
- winget install AlgorandFoundation.AlgoKit
Frequently asked questions
Yes. AlgoKit is free and released under the MIT License, which allows use, modification and redistribution. Costs you may still incur come from related services, such as running Docker on your machine or paying network fees when you deploy to a public Algorand network.
Not necessarily. AlgoKit offers utility libraries in both Python and TypeScript, and TEALScript lets TypeScript developers write smart contracts. Choose the language you already know, since the templates and tooling support more than one path.
The simplest method is to run winget install AlgorandFoundation.AlgoKit in a terminal. WinGet is included on recent versions of Windows 10 and later. After installation, restart the terminal and run algokit --version to confirm the install succeeded.
LocalNet runs an isolated Algorand network on your own computer. It lets you simulate transactions and workloads without sending anything to a public network, which is useful for testing and debugging. It requires Docker with Docker Compose 2.5.0 or higher.
Yes. Every project template includes Visual Studio Code configuration, so the project opens with a working setup. This reduces the time needed to configure debugging and editing for Algorand development.
TEALScript is a subset of TypeScript used to write smart contracts and smart signatures for the Algorand Virtual Machine. It lets developers familiar with TypeScript express contract logic in a more readable form than raw TEAL assembly.
AlgoKit is a development toolkit, not a wallet, and you should never give your seed phrase to any tool or website that asks for it. Use throwaway accounts on LocalNet for experiments, and keep real keys in dedicated wallet software.
Verdict
AlgoKit is a solid choice for Windows developers starting or maintaining Algorand projects. It is free, open source and installs in a single WinGet command, and its templates, utility libraries and local network make the development cycle much smoother. It is less suitable for people who only want to use a wallet or trade tokens. Check the latest version on the official website before starting a new project.