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Command line interface
  • Getting started with the CLI
  • CLI releases
  • Troubleshooting

In this article:

  • Installation
  • Enabling autocompletion
  • Creating a profile
  • Examples of commands

Getting started with the command line interface

Written by
Yandex Cloud
Improved by
Pushkin
Updated at August 5, 2026
View in Markdown
  • Installation
    • Enabling autocompletion
  • Creating a profile
  • Examples of commands

The Yandex Cloud command line interface (CLI) is downloadable software you can use to manage your cloud resources via the command line.

InstallationInstallation

This section provides a guide for interactive CLI installation using a script that:

  1. Identifies your OS and architecture.
  2. Downloads the executable with the latest stable CLI version for your environment.
  3. Performs a health check.
  4. Adds the CLI to the PATH environment variable.
  5. Generates autocompletion settings.

Tip

To manually set up the CLI installation directory, autocompletion, and shell startup script, and add the CLI to the PATH environment variable, use the non-interactive CLI installation script.

You can also manually download and install the executable with the latest stable CLI version. For more information, see Installation without using a script.

Linux
macOS
Windows

Tip

The command will automatically downloads and immediately execute the installation script. To preview the script's contents, download it manually and run it after a check.

  1. Run this command:

    curl -sSL https://storage.yandexcloud.net/yandexcloud-yc/install.sh | bash
    

    The script will install the CLI and add the executable file path to the PATH environment variable.

    Note

    The script will update PATH only if you run it in the bash or zsh command shell.

    If you run the script in a different shell, add the CLI path to the PATH variable yourself.

    Warning

    For autocompletion to work correctly when using zsh, you need the shell version 5.1 or higher. If using bash on CentOS and derivative distributions, install the bash-completion package.

  2. After installation is complete, restart your terminal.

Tip

The command will automatically downloads and immediately execute the installation script. To preview the script's contents, download it manually and run it after a check.

  1. Run this command:

    curl -sSL https://storage.yandexcloud.net/yandexcloud-yc/install.sh | bash
    

    The script will install the CLI and add the executable file path to the PATH environment variable.

  2. Restart your terminal for the changes to take effect.

Tip

The command will automatically downloads and immediately execute the installation script. To preview the script's contents, download it manually and run it after a check.

For Windows, you can install the CLI using PowerShell or command line:

  • To install using PowerShell:

    1. Run this command:

      iex (New-Object System.Net.WebClient).DownloadString('https://storage.yandexcloud.net/yandexcloud-yc/install.ps1')
      
    2. The installation script will ask whether to add the path to yc to the PATH variable:

      Add yc installation dir to your PATH? [Y/n]
      
    3. Enter Y. After this, you can use the Yandex Cloud CLI without restarting the command shell.

  • To install using the command line:

    1. Run this command:

      @"%SystemRoot%\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe" -Command "iex ((New-Object System.Net.WebClient).DownloadString('https://storage.yandexcloud.net/yandexcloud-yc/install.ps1'))" && SET "PATH=%PATH%;%USERPROFILE%\yandex-cloud\bin"
      
    2. The installation script will ask whether to add the path to yc to the PATH variable:

      Add yc installation dir to your PATH? [Y/n]
      
    3. Enter Y.

    4. Restart your terminal for the changes to take effect.

Enabling autocompletionEnabling autocompletion

The CLI supports command autocompletion for the bash, zsh, and PowerShell command shells. To enable autocompletion:

Linux
macOS
Windows

In bash, autocompletion works immediately after installation. On CentOS and derivative distributions, first install the bash-completion package.

To enable autocompletion in zsh:

  1. Open ~/.zshrc and add the following lines to the beginning of the file:

    autoload -Uz compinit
    compinit
    

    The yc installation script adds CLI initialization and autocompletion lines to the end of ~/.zshrc. Place the autoload and compinit calls above these lines; otherwise, you will get the command not found: compdef error when you start the terminal.

    The final ~/.zshrc should look as follows:

    autoload -Uz compinit
    compinit
    
    # The lines below were added automatically by the yc installation script.
    if [ -f "$HOME/yandex-cloud/path.bash.inc" ]; then source "$HOME/yandex-cloud/path.bash.inc"; fi
    if [ -f "$HOME/yandex-cloud/completion.zsh.inc" ]; then source "$HOME/yandex-cloud/completion.zsh.inc"; fi
    
  2. Restart the command shell or run the exec -l $SHELL command.

  3. Check that autocompletion works: type yc and press Tab twice. A list of available commands should appear.

Note

Below are instructions for setting up autocompletion in the zsh command shell, which is the default shell on macOS.

If you are using bash or macOS 10.14 Mojave or earlier, where bash is installed by default, edit the ~/.bash_profile file.

To enable autocompletion:

  1. Open ~/.zshrc and add the following lines to the beginning of the file:

    autoload -Uz compinit
    compinit
    

    The yc installation script adds CLI initialization and autocompletion lines to the end of ~/.zshrc. Place the autoload and compinit calls above these lines; otherwise, you will get the command not found: compdef error when you start the terminal.

    The final ~/.zshrc should look as follows:

    autoload -Uz compinit
    compinit
    
    # The lines below were added automatically by the yc installation script.
    if [ -f "$HOME/yandex-cloud/path.bash.inc" ]; then source "$HOME/yandex-cloud/path.bash.inc"; fi
    if [ -f "$HOME/yandex-cloud/completion.zsh.inc" ]; then source "$HOME/yandex-cloud/completion.zsh.inc"; fi
    
    Installing extended autocompletions

    The zsh-completions package extends the system's basic autocompletions. It is not required for the yc autocompletion.

    To install the package:

    1. Install Homebrew.

    2. Install the zsh-completions package:

      brew install zsh-completions
      

      Tip

      If using bash, install the bash-completion package instead of zsh-completions.

    3. Add a section with FPATH before the autoload and compinit lines. The final ~/.zshrc should look as follows:

      if type brew &>/dev/null; then
        FPATH=$(brew --prefix)/share/zsh-completions:$FPATH
      fi
      autoload -Uz compinit
      compinit
      
      # The lines below were added automatically by the yc installation script.
      if [ -f "$HOME/yandex-cloud/path.bash.inc" ]; then source "$HOME/yandex-cloud/path.bash.inc"; fi
      if [ -f "$HOME/yandex-cloud/completion.zsh.inc" ]; then source "$HOME/yandex-cloud/completion.zsh.inc"; fi
      
  2. Restart the command shell or run the exec -l $SHELL command.

  3. Check that autocompletion works: type yc and press Tab twice. A list of available commands should appear.

Warning

Autocompletion is only supported in PowerShell 7 and above. Check the version using the $PSVersionTable.PSVersion command. If the version is lower than 7, install the latest version:

winget install Microsoft.PowerShell

Or download the installer manually from the PowerShell releases page.

To enable autocompletion in PowerShell:

  1. If you do not have a PowerShell profile, create one and open it in a text editor:

    New-Item -Path $PROFILE -Type File -Force
    notepad $PROFILE
    

    Instead of notepad, you can use any editor you prefer. For example, for VS Code, use the code $PROFILE command.

  2. Add the following code to the file and save it:

    Register-ArgumentCompleter -Native -CommandName yc -ScriptBlock {
        param($wordToComplete, $commandAst, $cursorPosition)
    
        $elements = $commandAst.CommandElements
        $allTokens = $elements | Select-Object -Skip 1 | ForEach-Object { $_.ToString() }
        $allTokens = $allTokens | Where-Object { $_ -match '^[\x20-\x7E]+$' }
    
        if ($wordToComplete -ne '') {
            $completedTokens = $allTokens | Select-Object -SkipLast 1
            $queryTokens = @($completedTokens) + @("")
        } else {
            $queryTokens = @($allTokens) + @("")
        }
    
        $result = yc __completeNoDesc @queryTokens 2>$null
    
        $completions = $result | Where-Object {
            $_ -notmatch '^\:' -and $_ -notmatch '^Completion'
        } | Where-Object {
            $_.StartsWith($wordToComplete)
        }
    
        if ($completions.Count -eq 0 -and $wordToComplete -ne '') {
            $queryTokensFallback = @($completedTokens) + @($wordToComplete)
            $resultFallback = yc __completeNoDesc @queryTokensFallback 2>$null
    
            $completions = $resultFallback | Where-Object {
                $_ -notmatch '^\:' -and $_ -notmatch '^Completion'
            } | Where-Object {
                $_.StartsWith($wordToComplete)
            }
        }
    
        $completions | ForEach-Object {
            $parts = $_ -split '\t'
            [System.Management.Automation.CompletionResult]::new(
                $parts[0], $parts[0], 'ParameterValue', $parts[0]
            )
        }
    }
    

    Note

    By default, pressing Tab in PowerShell suggests the options one by one. To open a menu with all options and tooltips instead, add the following lines to the top of the file:

    Set-PSReadLineOption -ShowToolTips
    Set-PSReadLineKeyHandler -Key Tab -Function MenuComplete
    

    These lines change the Tab behavior in all PowerShell commands, not just yc.

  3. Restart PowerShell. Check that autocompletion works: type yc and press Tab. A list of available commands should appear.

If you get an error during CLI installation, see CLI troubleshooting.

Creating a profileCreating a profile

Yandex account
Federated account
Local user account

To get authenticated using a Yandex account:

  1. Get your email address:

    1. Navigate to your Yandex account.
    2. Copy your email address from the Contacts section.
  2. Launch the profile creation wizard:

    yc init --username=<email_address>
    

    If you run yc init without stating --username, a Yandex account selection page will open in the browser for authentication. If you specify --username beforehand, you will be taken to the sign-in page with the email address already filled in.

  3. Select the profile you want to set up authentication for or create a new one.

    Welcome! This command will take you through the configuration process.
    Pick desired action:
    [1] Re-initialize this profile 'default' with new settings
    [2] Create a new profile
    
  4. The CLI prompts you to continue authentication in the browser. Press Enter to continue.

    You are going to be authenticated via username '<email_address>'.
    Authentication web site will be opened.
    After your successful authentication, you will be redirected to 'https://console.yandex.cloud'.
    
    Press 'enter' to continue...
    

    On successful authentication, an IAM token will be saved in the profile. This IAM token will be used to authenticate each operation until the end of the token's lifetime (not more than 12 hours). After that, the CLI will once again prompt you to authenticate in the browser.

    To extend the period during which you do not have to authenticate in the browser, use refresh tokens, which allow you to reissue IAM tokens without entering the browser. Do it by enabling refresh tokens at the organization level and initializing DPoP protection in the CLI.

  5. Go back to the command line interface to finish creating the profile.

  6. Select one of the clouds from the list of those you have access to:

    Please select cloud to use:
     [1] cloud1 (id = aoe2bmdcvata********)
     [2] cloud2 (id = dcvatao4faoe********)
    Please enter your numeric choice: 2
    

    If there is only one cloud available, it will be selected automatically.

  7. Select the default folder:

    Please choose a folder to use:
     [1] folder1 (id = cvatao4faoe2********)
     [2] folder2 (id = tao4faoe2cva********)
     [3] Create a new folder
    Please enter your numeric choice: 1
    
  8. To select the default availability zone for Compute Cloud, type Y. To skip the setup, type n.

    Do you want to configure a default Yandex Compute Cloud availability zone? [Y/n] Y
    

    If you typed Y, select the availability zone:

    Which zone do you want to use as a profile default?
     [1] ru-central1-a
     [2] ru-central1-b
     [3] ru-central1-d
     [4] Do not set default zone
    Please enter your numeric choice: 2
    
  9. View your CLI profile settings:

    yc config list
    

    Result:

    subject-id: b1g159pa15cd********
    username: <email_address>
    folder-id: b1g8o9jbt58********
    compute-default-zone: ru-central1-b
    

To authenticate using a SAML-compatible identity federation:

  1. Get your federation ID from your administrator.

  2. Launch the profile creation wizard:

    yc init --federation-id=<federation_ID>
    
  3. Select the profile you want to set up authentication for or create a new one.

    Welcome! This command will take you through the configuration process.
    Pick desired action:
    [1] Re-initialize this profile 'default' with new settings
    [2] Create a new profile
    
  4. The CLI prompts you to continue authentication in the browser. Press Enter to continue.

    You are going to be authenticated via federation-id 'aje1f0hsgds3a********'.
    Your federation authentication web site will be opened.
    After your successful authentication, you will be redirected to 'https://console.yandex.cloud'.
    
    Press 'enter' to continue...
    

    On successful authentication, an IAM token will be saved in the profile. This IAM token will be used to authenticate each operation until the end of the token's lifetime (not more than 12 hours). After that, the CLI will once again prompt you to authenticate in the browser.

    To extend the period during which you do not have to authenticate in the browser, use refresh tokens, which allow you to reissue IAM tokens without entering the browser. Do it by enabling refresh tokens at the organization level and initializing DPoP protection in the CLI.

  5. Go back to the command line interface to finish creating the profile.

  6. Select one of the clouds from the list of those you have access to:

    Please select cloud to use:
     [1] cloud1 (id = aoe2bmdcvata********)
     [2] cloud2 (id = dcvatao4faoe********)
    Please enter your numeric choice: 2
    

    If there is only one cloud available, it will be selected automatically.

  7. Select the default folder:

    Please choose a folder to use:
     [1] folder1 (id = cvatao4faoe2********)
     [2] folder2 (id = tao4faoe2cva********)
     [3] Create a new folder
    Please enter your numeric choice: 1
    
  8. To select the default availability zone for Compute Cloud, type Y. To skip the setup, type n.

    Do you want to configure a default Yandex Compute Cloud availability zone? [Y/n] Y
    

    If you typed Y, select the availability zone:

    Which zone do you want to use as a profile default?
     [1] ru-central1-a
     [2] ru-central1-b
     [3] ru-central1-d
     [4] Do not set default zone
    Please enter your numeric choice: 2
    
  9. View your CLI profile settings:

    yc config list
    

    Result:

    federation-id: aje1f0hs6oja********
    subject-id: ajea53egl28l********
    cloud-id: b1g159pa15cd********
    folder-id: b1g8o9jbt58********
    compute-default-zone: ru-central1-b
    

To authenticate using a local user account:

  1. Launch the profile creation wizard:

    User pool
    Email
    1. Get your user pool ID from your administrator.

    2. Launch the profile creation wizard:

      yc init --userpool-id=<user_pool_ID>
      
    1. Get your email address:

      1. Go to the My account portal.
      2. In the left-hand panel, select  Profile.
      3. Copy the email address from the Contacts section.
    2. Launch the profile creation wizard:

      yc init --username=<email_address>
      
  2. Select the profile you want to set up authentication for or create a new one.

    Welcome! This command will take you through the configuration process.
    Pick desired action:
    [1] Re-initialize this profile 'default' with new settings
    [2] Create a new profile
    
  3. The CLI prompts you to continue authentication in the browser. Press Enter to continue.

    You are going to be authenticated via userpool-id 'ek0auknfc0mh********'.
    Your userpool authentication web site will be opened.
    After your successful authentication, you will be redirected to cloud console.
    
    Press 'enter' to continue...
    

    On successful authentication, an IAM token will be saved in the profile. This IAM token will be used to authenticate each operation until the end of the token's lifetime (not more than 12 hours). After that, the CLI will once again prompt you to authenticate in the browser.

    To extend the period during which you do not have to authenticate in the browser, use refresh tokens, which allow you to reissue IAM tokens without entering the browser. Do it by enabling refresh tokens at the organization level and initializing DPoP protection in the CLI.

  4. Go back to the command line interface to finish creating the profile.

  5. Select one of the clouds from the list of those you have access to:

    Please select cloud to use:
     [1] cloud1 (id = aoe2bmdcvata********)
     [2] cloud2 (id = dcvatao4faoe********)
    Please enter your numeric choice: 2
    

    If there is only one cloud available, it will be selected automatically.

  6. Select the default folder:

    Please choose a folder to use:
     [1] folder1 (id = cvatao4faoe2********)
     [2] folder2 (id = tao4faoe2cva********)
     [3] Create a new folder
    Please enter your numeric choice: 1
    
  7. To select the default availability zone for Compute Cloud, type Y. To skip the setup, type n.

    Do you want to configure a default Yandex Compute Cloud availability zone? [Y/n] Y
    

    If you typed Y, select the availability zone:

    Which zone do you want to use as a profile default?
     [1] ru-central1-a
     [2] ru-central1-b
     [3] ru-central1-d
     [4] Do not set default zone
    Please enter your numeric choice: 2
    
  8. View your CLI profile settings:

    yc config list
    

    Result:

    User pool
    Email
    userpool-id: ek0auknfc0mh********
    subject-id: ek00cd1m8hdd8********
    cloud-id: b1g159pa15cd********
    folder-id: b1g8o9jbt58********
    compute-default-zone: ru-central1-b
    
    subject-id: b1g159pa15cd********
    username: <email_address>
    folder-id: b1g8o9jbt58********
    compute-default-zone: ru-central1-b
    

Examples of commandsExamples of commands

See below for how to create a cloud network, a subnet, and a VM connected to that subnet.

  1. View the description of the CLI commands for working with cloud networks:

    yc vpc network --help
    
  2. Create a cloud network in the folder specified in your CLI profile:

    yc vpc network create \
      --name my-yc-network \
      --labels my-label=my-value \
      --description "my first network via yc"
    
  3. In the my-yc-network cloud network, create a subnet:

    yc vpc subnet create \
      --name my-yc-subnet-a \
      --zone ru-central1-a \
      --range 10.1.2.0/24 \
      --network-name my-yc-network \
      --description "my first subnet via yc"
    
  4. Get a list of all cloud networks in the directory specified in your CLI profile:

    yc vpc network list
    

    Result:

    +----------------------+------------------+-------------------------+
    |          ID          |       NAME       |       DESCRIPTION       |
    +----------------------+------------------+-------------------------+
    | skesdqhkc644******** | my-ui-network    | my first network via ui |
    | c6449hbqqar1******** | my-yc-network    | my first network via yc |
    +----------------------+------------------+-------------------------+
    

    Get the same list with more details in YAML format:

    yc vpc network list --format yaml
    

    Result:

    - id: skesdqhkc644********
      folder_id: ijkl9012
      created_at: "2018-09-05T09:51:16Z"
      name: my-ui-network
      description: "my first network via ui"
      labels: {}
    - id: c6449hbqqar1********
      folder_id: ijkl9012
      created_at: "2018-09-05T09:55:36Z"
      name: my-yc-network
      description: "my first network via yc"
      labels:
        my-label: my-value
    
  5. Create a VM and connect it to my-yc-subnet-a:

    1. Create a key pair (public and private keys) for SSH access to the VM.

    2. Create a Linux VM:

      yc compute instance create \
        --name my-yc-instance \
        --network-interface subnet-name=my-yc-subnet-a,nat-ip-version=ipv4 \
        --zone ru-central1-a \
        --ssh-key ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub
      

      Where ssh-key is the path to a public key for SSH access. The VM will automatically create the yc-user user with the specified public key.

  6. Connect to the VM over SSH:

    1. Learn the public IP address of the VM. To do this, view detailed information about your VM:

      yc compute instance get my-yc-instance
      

      In the command output, find the address of the VM in the one_to_one_nat section:

      one_to_one_nat:
        address: 130.193.32.90
        ip_version: IPV4
      
    2. Connect to the VM over SSH as yc-user, using the private key:

      ssh yc-user@130.193.32.90
      
  7. Delete the my-yc-instance VM, my-yc-subnet-a subnet, and my-yc-network network:

    yc compute instance delete my-yc-instance
    yc vpc subnet delete my-yc-subnet-a
    yc vpc network delete my-yc-network
    

Useful linksUseful links

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