NEAR CLI is a free, open-source command-line tool for developers and technically minded users who want to interact with NEAR Protocol without leaving the terminal. It is written in Rust and runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, so people who already work in a shell will find it familiar. The Windows version can be installed through Scoop, a Windows Installer, a PowerShell script or as a portable build.
Most readers arrive here because they want to get the tool running on a Windows machine and decide whether it fits their workflow. This guide covers what the program does, how to install it, how to use it carefully, and how it compares with other Web3 development tools. The latest release is version 0.30.1, and the project is distributed under permissive licenses.
What Is NEAR CLI and Why Use a Command-Line Client?
A command-line interface, or CLI, is a text-based way to control software. You type a command, press Enter and read the result. NEAR CLI applies this model to NEAR Protocol, a blockchain network, so you can check accounts, query network state and send transactions from a terminal window.
The main advantage of a CLI is repeatability. A command you type today can be saved in a script and run again next week with the same parameters. That makes it useful for routine checks, for testing a sequence of steps, and for documenting exactly what you did. Graphical tools are often faster for one-off actions, but they are harder to record and share.
The program is described by its developers as a human-friendly companion for NEAR, and the goal is to make the protocol approachable from the keyboard. Newcomers can start with simple read-only queries and move to transactions once they understand the output.
Who Is NEAR CLI For?
The most natural audience is developers building applications on NEAR Protocol. A developer testing a contract update, for example, may want to run the same sequence of commands on a development network, confirm the results, and then repeat the sequence on another environment. A terminal session makes that process easy to follow and easy to explain to a teammate.
System administrators and technical operators who manage several accounts also benefit. Scripts can handle repetitive lookups, and a hardware wallet can protect the signing step. Students learning how blockchains work often find that a CLI shows the underlying structure more clearly than a polished interface does.
If you mainly want to hold tokens and click through a web page, a browser wallet is a better fit. NEAR CLI rewards people who are comfortable reading output, typing precise commands and checking results before moving on.
Key Concepts: Accounts, Keys and Networks
On NEAR, accounts have human-readable names, which makes them easier to recognize than long hexadecimal addresses. Each account is controlled by keys. A full-access key can do anything the account can do, while more limited keys can be granted for specific purposes. Understanding this difference helps you decide which key belongs on a hardware device and which might be safe to use in a development setting.
A network is the environment you are connected to. Developers often separate test environments from the main network so that experiments do not affect real assets. Before running any command that changes state, confirm which network the tool is pointed at and which account is selected.
The seed phrase is the master secret that can regenerate keys for a wallet. Anyone who learns it can take control of the associated accounts. This is why the tool's Ledger support matters: the private key stays on the device, and the computer only receives signed results.
How NEAR Accounts and Transactions Work Together
Transactions are requests that change the state of the network, such as moving tokens or calling a function in a contract. Each transaction is signed with a key that the account has authorized. The network checks the signature and applies the change only if the rules are satisfied.
Reads and writes behave differently. A read-only query returns information without changing anything, so it is a safe way to learn the tool. A write operation consumes resources and is recorded permanently, so it deserves a second look before you press Enter. Many mistakes come from running a write command with the wrong account or network selected.
A practical habit is to start every session with a quick read-only check: confirm the account name, the network and the key you expect to use. Only then should you move to commands that send transactions.
Key features
Direct access to NEAR Protocol
Ledger hardware wallet support
Several installation routes on Windows
Open source under permissive licenses
Supported coins
The documentation names NEAR as the network the tool works with, so NEAR CLI is focused on NEAR Protocol rather than a broad range of blockchains. Ledger is the hardware wallet noted for use with the client. If you work with other chains, you will need separate tooling, which is covered in the comparison section below.
How to install NEAR CLI on Windows
PS> scoop install near-cli- 1
Choose an installation method
Pick one of the options below. If you already use Scoop, it is the quickest route. Otherwise, download only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page, then choose the Windows Installer, the PowerShell script or the portable build.
- 2
Install with Scoop
Open PowerShell with Scoop already set up, then run the command scoop install near-cli. Scoop handles the download and makes the program available from your terminal. You can later update or remove it through Scoop as well.
- 3
Run the Windows Installer or PowerShell script
Get the Windows Installer or the PowerShell script from the official download page. Run it, read each prompt, and accept the default location unless you have a specific reason to change it. Keep the installer file until the setup is complete so you can verify it again if needed.
- 4
Use the portable version or WSL
The portable build suits a USB drive or a machine where you cannot run a full installer. Extract it to a folder you control and launch it from there. Windows users who prefer a Linux environment can use the shell script inside WSL instead.
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Confirm the installation
Open a new terminal window so the updated path takes effect, then run the program's help command. If it prints usage information, the installation works. Make sure the version matches the release you intended to install.
How to use NEAR CLI
NEAR CLI is driven entirely from the terminal, so the workflow is simple once the program is installed. The steps below help you start with safe, read-only actions before you move to anything that changes network state.
- Open a fresh PowerShell or Windows Terminal window and confirm that the program starts.
- Decide which network you want to use, and write it down before you run any command.
- Identify the NEAR account you plan to use. Use the readable account name rather than retyping long identifiers.
- If you use a Ledger device, connect it, unlock it and open the required app on the device before you run commands that need a signature.
- Run a read-only query first, such as checking account details, and read the output carefully.
- Only after the read-only check matches your expectations, run a command that sends a transaction, and review the parameters one more time.
- Keep a short log of commands and results, especially for production accounts, so you can trace what happened later.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source, with permissive Apache-2.0 or MIT licensing
- Dedicated to NEAR Protocol, so the command set stays focused
- Ledger hardware wallet support for stronger key protection
- Several Windows installation options, including Scoop
- Written in Rust, with source code available for review
- Suitable for scripting and repeatable workflows
- Command-line only, so it is not a good fit for users who prefer visual tools
- Requires comfort with terminals and careful reading of output
- Focused on NEAR, so it does not replace multi-chain toolkits
- Scoop users depend on the Scoop package flow for updates
Is NEAR CLI safe?
NEAR CLI works with account keys, so treat the installation as security-sensitive. Download the program only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page. Before running the installer, compare the SHA-256 checksum of the file with the value published by the project, or verify its signature if one is provided. Scoop installs are a reasonable option when you trust the package source, but the same caution applies. Never enter a seed phrase on third-party websites, and be wary of anyone who asks for one, even if they claim to be support staff. A hardware wallet lowers risk considerably, but it does not remove the need for careful habits. Check the latest version, 0.30.1, on the official website before you install.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/near/near-cli-rs. 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
NEAR CLI is narrower than many Web3 toolkits because it focuses on talking to NEAR Protocol from a terminal. Foundry covers EVM-style development with its own build, test and local node tools, while Anchor is a framework for Solana programs. Remix Desktop is an IDE for Solidity, and Tenderly CLI targets debugging and monitoring of contracts. Postman helps test JSON-RPC endpoints without writing code, and Alchemy, Infura and QuickNode are RPC providers rather than local programs. Choose NEAR CLI when NEAR is your target chain, and choose the other tools when your project lives elsewhere or needs a graphical environment.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- Apache-2.0|MIT
- Latest version
- 0.30.1
- Last update
- 19 Oct 2026
- Windows support
- Yes (available via Scoop)
- Source code
- github.com/near/near-cli-rs
- Install command
- scoop install near-cli
Frequently asked questions
Yes. NEAR CLI is free and open source, distributed under the Apache-2.0 or MIT license. You do not need to pay to download or run it. Costs on NEAR Protocol itself, such as transaction fees, are separate from the price of the tool.
The quickest method is to run scoop install near-cli in PowerShell if you already use Scoop. You can also use the Windows Installer, a PowerShell script or a portable build. Download files only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page, and verify the checksum before running them.
The program itself is open source, which allows public review of its code. Safety depends mostly on how you download it and how you handle keys. Verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature, use a Ledger device for signing when possible, and never enter a seed phrase on a third-party website.
Yes, the tool supports Ledger devices. This lets you keep signing keys on the hardware device instead of storing them on your computer. Connect and unlock the device before running commands that require a signature, and check the official documentation for current compatibility details.
No. The Windows Installer, the PowerShell script, Scoop and the portable build all work natively on Windows. WSL is an option for people who prefer the shell script route used on Linux and macOS, but it is not required.
The project is licensed under Apache-2.0 or MIT, two permissive open-source licenses. In practice, this means you can read the source, use the tool and modify it for your own purposes, subject to the terms of the chosen license. Review the license files in the repository if you plan to redistribute it.
It depends on your chain. Foundry suits EVM-style projects, Anchor suits Solana programs and Remix Desktop suits Solidity work in an IDE. For testing RPC endpoints without code, Postman is a common choice. Compare features against your own project before choosing a tool.
Verdict
NEAR CLI is a practical choice for Windows developers and power users who want a free, open-source command-line client for NEAR Protocol. It suits people who are comfortable with terminals and who value Ledger support and several installation options. If you prefer a visual interface or work mostly with other blockchains, the alternatives covered above may serve you better. Verify every download before you trust the program with keys.