---
title: "CLI quickstart"
description: "Install the AI Glot command-line interface, authenticate with OAuth or an API key, and verify workspace access from a terminal."
canonical: "https://ai-glot.com/docs/cli/overview"
updated: "2026-08-09"
---

# CLI quickstart

The AI Glot CLI wraps the REST API for humans, CI jobs and coding agents. It requires Node.js 20 or newer.

## Install

```bash title="Run without installing"
npx @ai-glot/cli account
```

```bash title="Install globally"
npm install --global @ai-glot/cli
aiglot --help
```

## Authenticate

**Browser login**

```bash
aiglot auth login
```

The CLI opens AI Glot, asks you to approve the workspace and scopes, then stores the OAuth credential securely. This is the recommended route for a person.

**Remote machine**

```bash
aiglot auth login --device
```

Use device login over SSH or where the machine cannot open a browser.

**API key**

```bash
aiglot auth login --key "$AIGLOT_API_KEY"
```

Use a workspace key for CI or a server. Passing it on the command line can enter it in shell history; an environment variable is safer.

If OAuth has not yet been enabled on the deployed authorization server, the CLI explains that and directs you to API-key login instead.

## Verify the connection

```bash
aiglot auth status
aiglot account
aiglot doctor
```

`account` shows the workspace, plan, capabilities and scopes. `doctor` checks connectivity, authentication, CLI version and clock skew.

> **Info: Current v1 boundary**
>
> The CLI cannot upload a CSV or start a translation yet. It manages existing translations and glossaries and reads account, credit and usage data without spending credits.

Continue with the [command guide](/docs/cli/commands) or [automation behaviour](/docs/cli/automation).