How do I install OpenCode on Windows?

Download Windows (x64) from opencode.ai/download and run the installer for the desktop app. For the terminal app, install Node.js, then run npm install -g @opencode/cli in CMD or PowerShell.

How do I install OpenCode in CMD?

Install Node.js from nodejs.org, open CMD and run npm install -g @opencode/cli. Then open a new CMD window and type opencode to start it.

How do I install OpenCode in PowerShell?

The same as in CMD: with Node.js installed, run npm install -g @opencode/cli in PowerShell. The curl install script needs a bash shell, so it does not run in PowerShell.

How do I install OpenCode on Mac or Linux?

Run curl -fsSL https://opencode.ai/v2/install | bash in Terminal, or use Homebrew (brew install anomalyco/tap/opencode-v2) or npm. The desktop app is on opencode.ai/download for both.

Yes. OpenCode is free to use; any cost comes only from a paid model provider you connect. It also includes free models of its own.

Why is opencode not recognized after installing?

The command window was open before the install. Close CMD, PowerShell or Git Bash and open a new one, then type opencode again.

How to Install OpenCode on Windows, Mac and Linux (2026)

In short: OpenCode is a free, open-source AI coding app. It comes in two forms: a desktop app you install like any program, and a terminal app (CLI) you install with one command in CMD, PowerShell or a shell. You can have both. On Windows, download the desktop installer from opencode.ai/download, or run npm install -g @opencode/cli in CMD.

Which one to install

	Desktop app	Terminal app (CLI)
What it is	A normal window with menus and a model picker	A full-screen app inside CMD, PowerShell or Terminal
How you install it	Download and run an installer	One command
What you need	Nothing else	Node.js (for `npm`), or Git Bash / a shell for the install script
How you use it	Point and click	Type `opencode` in any project folder

Both are free. Any cost comes only from a paid model provider you connect.

Part 1: Install the desktop app

Step 1: Download the installer

Open opencode.ai/download and scroll to OpenCode Desktop. Click Download next to your system (box 1):

Windows (x64) for most Windows PCs, or Windows (ARM64) for ARM laptops.
macOS (Apple Silicon) for M-series Macs, or macOS (Intel) for older Macs.
Linux (.deb) for Ubuntu and Debian, or Linux (.rpm) for Fedora and similar.

The OpenCode download page with the Windows (x64) download highlighted

Not sure if your Windows PC is x64 or ARM64? Open Settings > System > About and look at System type.

Step 2: Run the installer

Windows: open the downloaded opencode-desktop-win-x64.exe (or the ARM64 file) and follow the installer. Then open OpenCode from the Start menu.
macOS: open the .dmg file and drag OpenCode into Applications. With Homebrew you can run brew install --cask opencode-desktop instead.
Linux: install the .deb or .rpm file with your software installer, or from a terminal, for example sudo apt install ./the-file-you-downloaded.deb.

Step 3: Open OpenCode

OpenCode opens with a message box and a model picker under it:

The OpenCode desktop app on first launch, with the message box and model picker

Type a question and press Enter. To pick a free model, or add your own free API key, follow how to add free API keys to OpenCode.

Part 2: Install the terminal app (CLI)

The download page lists the install commands at the top, under OpenCode Terminal. This guide uses the install script (box 1) and npm (box 2):

The OpenCode download page with the install script and npm commands highlighted

On Windows, with CMD or PowerShell (npm)

Install Node.js, which includes npm: download the LTS version from nodejs.org and run the installer.
Open CMD or PowerShell. Press the Start key, type cmd (or PowerShell) and open it.
Check that Node.js is ready:
```
node -v
npm -v
```
Each command prints a version number. If you see "not recognized", close the window, open a new one and try again.
Install OpenCode:
```
npm install -g @opencode/cli
```
Check that it worked:
```
opencode --help
```

On Windows, with Git Bash (install script)

If you use Git Bash (it comes with Git for Windows), run the official install script there:

curl -fsSL https://opencode.ai/v2/install | bash

The script installs OpenCode into the .opencode\bin folder in your user folder and adds it to your PATH. Close Git Bash and open it again before running opencode. The script needs a bash shell, so it does not run in CMD or PowerShell; use npm there.

On macOS and Linux (shell)

Open Terminal and run the install script:

curl -fsSL https://opencode.ai/v2/install | bash

Or use a package manager:

# Homebrew (macOS and Linux)
brew install anomalyco/tap/opencode-v2

# npm (needs Node.js)
npm install -g @opencode/cli

# Arch Linux
paru -S opencode-beta

Open a new terminal window afterwards so the opencode command is found.

Start the terminal app

Go to the folder you want to work in, then start OpenCode:

cd path\to\your\project
opencode

On macOS and Linux, folders use / instead of \. Inside OpenCode, type /connect to add a provider's API key and /models to choose a model. The free options are in how to add free API keys to OpenCode.

Update or remove OpenCode

	Update	Remove
Desktop app (Windows)	Download and run the newest installer	Settings > Apps > Installed apps > OpenCode > Uninstall
Desktop app (macOS)	Download the newest `.dmg`, or `brew upgrade --cask opencode-desktop`	Move OpenCode from Applications to the Bin
CLI installed with npm	`npm install -g @opencode/cli`	`npm uninstall -g @opencode/cli`
CLI installed with the script	Run the install script again	Delete the `.opencode` folder in your user folder

When something goes wrong

What you see	What it means	What to do
`'npm' is not recognized`	Node.js is not installed, or the window was open before you installed it	Install Node.js from nodejs.org, then open a new CMD window
`'opencode' is not recognized` after installing	The window does not know the new command yet	Close CMD, PowerShell or Git Bash and open a new one
`bash` is not recognized, or the curl command fails in CMD	The install script needs a bash shell	Use `npm install -g @opencode/cli` in CMD, or run the script in Git Bash
`EACCES` or permission denied with npm on macOS or Linux	npm cannot write to its global folder	Use the install script instead
Windows warns before running the installer	The file came from the internet	Make sure it was downloaded from opencode.ai, then continue

Words to know

Desktop app: OpenCode in its own window, installed with an installer.
CLI (terminal app): OpenCode inside CMD, PowerShell or Terminal, installed with a command.
CMD / PowerShell: the two command windows built into Windows.
Git Bash: a bash shell for Windows that comes with Git for Windows.
npm: the package installer that comes with Node.js.
PATH: the list of folders your computer checks when you type a command.

Next steps

How to add free API keys to OpenCode - use free models inside the app.
How to get AI API keys for free - every free API and its daily limit.

How to Install OpenCode: Desktop App and CMD / Terminal