Stellar CLI is a free, open-source command-line tool for developers building on the Stellar network. It suits Windows developers who prefer working in a terminal and want a clean way to install and run Stellar tooling without hunting for files by hand. It is aimed at people writing and testing applications for Stellar, not at everyday users who only want to hold or send coins.
The project is distributed under the Apache-2.0 license and written mainly in Rust, with JavaScript and TypeScript in its technology stack, so its source code is open for review and modification. On Windows, the tool is available through winget, the package manager built into modern versions of Windows, which means installation takes a single command. This page covers what the program does, how to install it, how to use it safely, and how it compares with other developer tools in the catalog.
What Stellar CLI Is and Who Uses It
Stellar CLI is a tool for people who build things on the Stellar network. Typical users include independent developers writing a small payment or asset application, students learning how a blockchain application is structured, and engineering teams that want consistent commands across different machines. It is less suited to people who only want to buy, hold or send coins, since a wallet handles those tasks better.
A simple scenario shows where it helps. Suppose a developer is building an app that issues a token on Stellar. Instead of clicking through a web interface, they can run the same commands from a script each time they rebuild the project. That repeatability matters when several people work on the same code and need identical results.
If you are new to command-line work, think of the tool as a set of precise instructions you type rather than buttons you click. The payoff is that each step can be recorded, reviewed and rerun exactly as before.
How a Command-Line Workflow Fits Stellar Development
Most Stellar projects move through a similar cycle: write code, compile it, test it against a network, then deploy or share the result. A command-line tool gives each step a clear entry point, so the cycle can be scripted rather than repeated by hand.
- Write and compile your application in your editor.
- Test behavior on a test network before any live use.
- Review command output and logs for errors.
- Repeat the same commands on another machine or in a Docker container.
The last point is where cross-platform support becomes practical. A container gives a predictable environment, which helps when a bug appears on one operating system and not another. Keep notes on the exact version you used, because command behavior can change between releases.
Key Terms Stellar Developers Should Know
Working with Stellar means meeting a few concepts that are common across blockchain tools. A network is the chain your transactions are recorded on, and developers usually separate a test network from the live one. An address, often called a public key, is the identifier others use to send you assets. A secret key, or seed phrase, authorizes transactions from that address, and anyone who holds it can control the funds.
Stellar (XLM) is the native asset on the network, so it turns up in examples and in the transactions you will handle. Understanding these terms before you run commands makes the help documentation far easier to follow. Each command may read or write one of these pieces, so know which one you are touching before you press Enter.
Key features
Command-line workflow
Open source under Apache-2.0
One-command installation on Windows
Rust core with JavaScript and TypeScript in the stack
Same tool across several platforms
Supported coins
Stellar CLI is built for the Stellar network. The network's native asset, Stellar (XLM), is the coin developers will work with most often here. This page covers the Stellar network only; for Ethereum-style chains, the comparison section below points to other tools in the catalog.
How to install Stellar CLI on Windows
PS> winget install Stellar.StellarCLI- 1
Open Windows Terminal or PowerShell
Press the Start key, search for Windows Terminal or PowerShell, and open it. Winget runs from either one, so you can use whichever you already prefer.
- 2
Run the install command
Type winget install Stellar.StellarCLI and press Enter. Winget downloads the package and installs it. Wait for the command to finish before you start using the tool, and read any message it prints at the end.
- 3
Manual install as an alternative
If you prefer not to use winget, download only from the official website at stellar.org or from the GitHub Releases page at github.com/stellar/stellar-cli/releases. Before running a manually downloaded file, compare its SHA-256 checksum with the value published by the project, or verify its signature if the release provides one.
- 4
Linux build dependencies
The libdbus and libudev development packages are needed only on Linux when building from source. They are not needed for the Windows installation, and macOS users do not need them either.
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Confirm the installation
Open a new terminal window and check that the tool runs. If the command is not recognized, close and reopen the terminal so the updated search path takes effect. To update later, run winget upgrade Stellar.StellarCLI. The current release is version 28.1.0.
System requirements
- Windows with the winget package manager available, for the one-line install command
- PowerShell or Windows Terminal for running commands
How to use Stellar CLI
Stellar CLI works from the terminal, so the first session is mostly about learning its command structure. Start with the built-in help, then work through one small task before attempting a full project. The steps below follow a sensible order for a first run.
- Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and run the help command to list the available subcommands.
- Read the help output for the subcommand you need, paying attention to which network each option targets.
- Create a development identity and store its secret key somewhere safe, such as a password manager, rather than in a plain text file in your project folder.
- Run a small test on a test network before you touch a live network, so mistakes cost nothing.
- Build your project and review the output for errors before you deploy anything.
- Check the GitHub Releases page when a new version appears, and read the release notes before upgrading, especially if your scripts depend on specific command behavior.
Repeat the same sequence on each new project. Once the steps are routine, you can move on to scripting them.
Pros & cons
- Free to use, with no paid tier needed to access the tool
- Open source under the Apache-2.0 license, with public source code on GitHub
- One-command installation on Windows through winget
- Same tool available on Windows, macOS, Linux and Docker
- Focused scope: one ecosystem rather than many chains
- Command-line only, with no graphical interface
- Limited to the Stellar ecosystem, so it is not a general-purpose blockchain toolkit
- Linux users who build from source need extra development packages
- Newcomers must learn basic terminal skills before getting value from it
Is Stellar CLI safe?
Install Stellar CLI from the official sources only. The simplest route is winget, and the alternatives are the official website at stellar.org or the GitHub Releases page for the project. Before running any manually downloaded file, compare its SHA-256 checksum with the value the project publishes, or verify its signature if one is available. Keep the program up to date by checking the latest version on the official website. A tool that creates or uses keys handles real value, so treat any prompt asking for your seed phrase as a warning sign. Never enter a seed phrase or secret key on a third-party website, in a chat, or in a message from someone claiming to be support.
- Official source only. Download from stellar.org. 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
Stellar CLI is specific to the Stellar network, while several other tools in this catalog target different ecosystems. Foundry is a toolkit for Ethereum-style smart contracts, with separate utilities for building, testing and interacting with chains. Remix Desktop is an integrated development environment for Solidity, which suits developers who want a visual editor. Tenderly CLI focuses on debugging and monitoring contracts after they are deployed. Anchor is a framework for Solana programs.
If your project runs on Stellar, Stellar CLI is the direct fit. If you build for another network, one of the other tools will serve you better. Many developers combine an editor with a network-specific command-line tool, so the choice often depends on where the application will live.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- Apache-2.0
- Latest version
- 28.1.0
- Last update
- —
- Windows support
- Yes (available via winget)
- Official site
- stellar.org
- Source code
- github.com/stellar/stellar-cli
- Install command
- winget install Stellar.StellarCLI
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Stellar CLI is free to download and use, and it is open source under the Apache-2.0 license with public source code on GitHub. Free use of the tool does not cover the costs of the networks you deploy to or the time you spend building an application, so plan those separately.
Yes. Windows users can install it with the command winget install Stellar.StellarCLI in PowerShell or Windows Terminal. The tool also runs on macOS, Linux and inside Docker. Windows installation does not require the Linux development packages, which matter only when compiling on Linux.
It can be, when you install it from an official source. Use winget, or download from stellar.org or the GitHub Releases page, and compare the SHA-256 checksum before running a manual download. Never enter your seed phrase into a website or chat that asks for it, because no legitimate developer tool needs it on a web page.
Stellar CLI is built for the Stellar network, and its main asset is Stellar (XLM). It is not a tool for Bitcoin, Ethereum or other chains. If you need Ethereum-style tooling, Foundry and Remix Desktop are better matches, and both are listed in the catalog.
No. The winget installation gives you the ready-made program. Rust, Node.js and similar languages are build-time tools for developers who compile from source or build their own projects. Your own application may still need a JavaScript or TypeScript toolchain, but the CLI itself does not require one to run.
Yes. The tool runs on Linux as well as Windows and macOS. If you build it from source on Linux, you need the libdbus and libudev development packages. Those packages are not needed for a Windows installation or on macOS.
Run winget upgrade Stellar.StellarCLI in a terminal to update the package. The current release is version 28.1.0. Check the GitHub Releases page to read what changed before upgrading, especially if your scripts depend on particular command behavior.
Verdict
Stellar CLI is a sensible choice for Windows developers who work on the Stellar network and want a free, open-source command-line tool that installs in one step. It is not a wallet or a trading app, and it will not suit people looking for a graphical interface. If you are new to the terminal, spend time with the help output and test on a test network first. Before you start, check the latest version on the official website and keep your keys private.