Install

macOS / Linux

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/continuedev/continue/main/extensions/cli/scripts/install.sh | bash

Windows

irm https://raw.githubusercontent.com/continuedev/continue/main/extensions/cli/scripts/install.ps1 | iex

npm (cross-platform)

If you already have Node.js 20+:

npm i -g @continuedev/cli

Verify the installation:

cn --version

Authentication

Log in with Continue

cn login

This opens your browser to authenticate with Continue. Once authenticated, cn can use your configured assistants, models, and MCP servers from the platform.

API key (headless / CI)

For automation environments where there’s no browser, set the CONTINUE_API_KEY environment variable:

export CONTINUE_API_KEY=your-key-here
cn -p "your prompt"

Get an API key from Continue → Settings → API Keys.

Local API key

If you don’t want to use Continue, you can use an Anthropic API key directly. On first launch, cn will prompt you to choose between logging in with Continue or entering an Anthropic API key.

Requirements

• Node.js 20+ — needed for the npm install path. The shell installer bundles its own runtime.
• A Continue account, or an Anthropic API key.