Warp CLI quickstart

This guide takes you from installing the Warp CLI to your first agent conversation in about five minutes. You’ll install the CLI, log in, prompt the agent, run a shell command, and learn how to exit and resume.

Prerequisites

• A Warp account - The login step opens your browser, where you can sign in or create an account. The Warp CLI uses the same account as the Warp app.
• A supported platform - macOS or Linux. See supported platforms.

Install the Warp CLI

After installing, verify that the warp command is available:

warp --version

The command prints the installed version. The CLI keeps itself up to date automatically after this; see automatic updates.

Log in

Log in once so the CLI can access your Warp account, models, and saved context.

1. Run warp.
2. The CLI shows a verification link and a device code, and opens the link in your browser. If the browser doesn’t open, visit the link shown in the CLI and enter the code.
3. Approve the login in your browser. The CLI unlocks automatically, so you don’t need to restart it.

When login completes, the CLI shows its start screen: the version, a short “What’s new” list, and the rules, skills, and MCP servers it discovered for your current directory.

Note

On machines without a browser, such as CI or remote servers, authenticate with a Warp API key instead: run warp --api-key YOUR_API_KEY or set the WARP_API_KEY environment variable. See API keys for how to create one.

Run your first prompt

1. Type a prompt in plain language, for example: What does this project do?
2. Press Enter. The response streams into the transcript above the input.
3. If the agent wants to run a command or edit a file, it shows a permission request. Choose an option to approve or reject the action.

Learn more about the transcript, diffs, and approvals in Agent conversations and Permissions and profiles.

Run a shell command

You can run shell commands directly without leaving the Warp CLI.

1. Type ! at the start of an empty input to switch to shell mode. The footer shows Shell mode.
2. Type a command, such as git status, and press Enter. The command runs in your working directory and its output appears in the transcript.
3. Press Backspace on the empty input to switch back to prompting the agent.

See Shell commands for long-running commands, interactive programs, and natural language detection.

Exit and resume

1. Press Ctrl+C twice in a row to exit, or run /exit. A single Ctrl+C press stops the agent’s current response, or clears the input when nothing is running.

2. On exit, the CLI prints a resume command for the conversation:

   warp --resume CONVERSATION_TOKEN

3. Run the printed command to pick up the conversation where you left off. CONVERSATION_TOKEN is the conversation identifier the CLI prints for you.

You can also browse and reopen past conversations from inside the CLI. See Conversations.

Next steps

• Agent conversations - Work with the transcript, code diffs, plans, and tasks.
• Context - Give the agent rules, skills, and MCP servers.
• Configuration - Set your theme, statusline, and keybindings.
• Reference - All flags, slash commands, and keyboard shortcuts.