---
id: installation
title: Meshtastic Python CLI installation
sidebar_label: Installation
slug: /software/python/cli/installation
sidebar_position: 1
---

import Tabs from "@theme/Tabs";
import TabItem from "@theme/TabItem";

This library provides a command line interface (CLI) for managing the user settings of Meshtastic nodes and provides an easy API for sending and receiving messages over mesh radios. Events are delivered using a publish-subscribe model, and you can subscribe to only the message types you are interested in.

The [Meshtastic-python repo](https://github.com/meshtastic/Meshtastic-python) and [API documentation](https://python.meshtastic.org) are excellent sources of information.

If you wish to view the code or contribute to development of the python library or the command line interface, please visit the Meshtastic python [GitHub page](https://github.com/meshtastic/Meshtastic-python).

There are standalone executables for Windows and Ubuntu if you do not want to install python and/or the python libraries required to run the meshtastic CLI tool. See [Standalone](#standalone) for more information.

Installation can also be easily done through the [Python package installer pip](https://pypi.org/project/meshtastic):
:::note
You must use pip version 20 or later. To upgrade to the latest pip, do: `pip install --upgrade pip`
:::
:::info
Make sure that the `PATH variable` also gets installed by checking the box while installing python. If you don't, python may not be available and you may not be able to call `meshtastic` from your CLI. If you do forget to check that box, you will need to install the path environment variable for python on your operating system.
:::
:::important
You may need to install a driver from Silicon Labs for the [CP210X USB to UART bridge](https://www.silabs.com/products/development-tools/software/usb-to-uart-bridge-vcp-drivers)

Some newer boards may require the drivers for the [CH9102](http://www.wch.cn/downloads/CH343SER_ZIP.html) or [Direct Download](https://github.com/Xinyuan-LilyGO/CH9102_Driver) for Windows 7.
:::

<Tabs
groupId="operating-system"
defaultValue="linux"
values={[
{label: 'Linux', value: 'linux'},
{label: 'macOS', value: 'macos'},
{label: 'Windows', value: 'windows'},
{label: 'Termux for Android', value: 'termux'},
]}>
<TabItem value="linux">

#### Linux

- Check that your computer has the required serial drivers installed

  - Connect your Meshtastic device to your USB port
  - Use the command
    ```shell
    lsusb
    ```
  - You should see something like:
    - `ID 10c4:ea60 Silicon Labs CP210x UART Bridge` for CP210X
    - `ID 1a86:55d4 QinHeng Electronics USB Single Serial` for CH9102

- Check that your computer has Python 3 installed.

  - Use the command
    ```shell
    python3 -V
    ```
  - If this does not return a version, install python
    ```shell
    sudo apt-get update
    sudo apt-get install python3
    ```

- Pip is typically installed if you are using python 3 version >= 3.4

  - Check that pip is installed using this command
    ```shell
    pip3 -V
    ```
  - If this does not return a version, install pip
    ```shell
    sudo apt-get install python3-pip
    ```

- Optional: use a python virtual environment (otherwise jump to step "Install pytap2")
  - Install python-virtualenvwrapper (arch based distros as an example)
    ```shell
    sudo pacman -Syu python-virtualenvwrapper
    ```
  - Create a virtual environment
    ```shell
    source /usr/bin/virtualenvwrapper.sh
    mkvirtualenv meshtastic
    workon meshtastic
    ```
- Install pytap2
  ```shell
  pip3 install --upgrade pytap2
  ```
- Install meshtastic:
  ```shell
  pip3 install --upgrade meshtastic
  ```

</TabItem>
<TabItem value="macos">

#### macOS

- Check that your computer has the required serial drivers installed
  - Connect your Meshtastic device to your USB port
  - Navigate to `Apple Menu  > About This Mac > System Report... > Hardware > USB`
  - You should see something like `CP210X USB to UART Bridge Controller`
  - If not download the drivers from [Silicon Labs](https://www.silabs.com/developers/usb-to-uart-bridge-vcp-drivers).
- Check that your computer has Python 3 installed.
  - Use the command
    ```shell
    python3 -V
    ```
  - If this does not return a version, install [python](https://www.python.org)
    - The following uses Homebrew to install `python3` which includes `pip3`.
    - Check if you have Homebrew installed with the following command
      ```shell
      brew -v
      ```
      If it's not installed, follow the instructions on the [Homebrew website](https://brew.sh) before continuing.
    - Install Python3
      ```shell
      brew install python3
      ```
- Pip is typically installed if you are using python 3 version >= 3.4

  - Check that pip is installed using this command
    ```shell
    pip3 -V
    ```
  - If this does not return a version, install [pip](https://pip.pypa.io/en/stable/installing)

- Install pytap2
  ```shell
  sudo pip3 install --upgrade pytap2
  ```
- Install meshtastic:
  ```shell
  sudo pip3 install --upgrade meshtastic
  ```

</TabItem>
<TabItem value="windows">

#### Windows

- Check that your computer has the required serial drivers installed
  - Connect your Meshtastic device to your USB port
  - Open Device Manager
  - Under `Ports (COM & LPT)` you should see something like `Silicon Labs CP210X USB to UART Bridge (COM5)`
  - If not download the drivers from [Silicon Labs](https://www.silabs.com/developers/usb-to-uart-bridge-vcp-drivers) or use the direct link below.
    :::warning
    You must install the [CP210x Universal Windows Driver](https://www.silabs.com/documents/public/software/CP210x_Universal_Windows_Driver.zip). If you do not install this driver, your device may not work and the driver may need to be uninstalled from device manager before installing the correct driver.
    :::
- Check that your computer has Python 3 installed.
  - Use the command
    ```powershell
    py -V
    ```
  - If this does not return a version, install [python](https://www.python.org)
- Pip is typically installed if you are using python 3 version >= 3.4
  - Check that pip is installed using this command
    ```powershell
    pip3 -V
    ```
  - If this does not return a version, install [pip](https://pip.pypa.io/en/stable/installing)
- Install pytap2
  ```powershell
  pip3 install --upgrade pytap2
  ```
- Install meshtastic:
  ```powershell
  pip3 install --upgrade meshtastic
  ```

</TabItem>
<TabItem value="termux">

#### Termux

:::note
Wifi connection is currently under development and may not be working properly just yet. If you would like to provide feedback or test this feature, please visit our [forum](https://meshtastic.discourse.group) or join our [Discord server](https://discord.gg/ktMAKGBnBs) for more information.
:::

- Install [Termux](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.termux) from the F-Droid app store (Google play does not currently support the latest builds)
- Load Termux and update the package list
  ```shell
  pkg update
  ```
- Upgrade the installed packages
  ```shell
  pkg upgrade
  ```
- Install python
  ```shell
  pkg install python
  ```
- Upgrade pip and installed meshtastic and some of its dependencies
  ```shell
  pip install --upgrade pip pygatt pytap2 wheel meshtastic
  ```

:::note
Be aware that the Meshtastic CLI is not able to control the nodes over USB through termux, but you can control devices over Wifi using the `--host x.x.x.x` option with the device IP address. However, only ESP32 devices can use Wifi currently.
:::

</TabItem>
</Tabs>

:::info
You may need to close and re-open the CLI. The path variables may or may not update for the current session when installing.
:::

## Standalone

There are standalone executable files for Windows and Ubuntu. A single file is all you need to run the command line interface (CLI) Meshtastic tool. There is a zip file per operating system. To use, see the operating system specific notes below:

They can be found on the [Releases](https://github.com/meshtastic/Meshtastic-python/releases) page.

<Tabs
groupId="operating-system"
defaultValue="windows"
values={[
{label: 'Ubuntu', value: 'ubuntu'},
{label: 'Windows', value: 'windows'},
]}>
<TabItem value="ubuntu">

#### Ubuntu

- Download meshtastic_ubuntu

- Run the following command to make the file executable and rename it 'meshtastic':

```shell
chmod +x meshtastic_ubuntu && mv meshtastic_ubuntu meshtastic
```

- To run the cli:

```shell
./meshtastic
```

:::tip
Copy (or move) this binary somewhere in your path.
:::

</TabItem>
<TabItem value="windows">

#### Windows

- Download meshtastic_windows

- Rename to meshtastic.exe

- To run, open a windows command prompt, navigate to the location of the executable and run:

```shell
meshtastic.exe
```

</TabItem>
</Tabs>
