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Windows environment setup

Set up Arcade CLI on Windows using uv (recommended), with optional pip fallback guidance.

Before you start

  • Windows with PowerShell
  • Python 3.10 or later
  • Internet access for package download

Validate which commands exist on your machine:

uv --version
python3 --version
command -v arcade || true
uv --version
python --version
py --version
Get-Command arcade -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

If both python and py are missing, the pip-only instructions will fail until you install Python and add it to PATH.

Install uv

Use one of the following methods.

curl -LsSf https://astral.sh/uv/install.sh | sh
export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"
uv --version
irm https://astral.sh/uv/install.ps1 | iex
uv --version

If uv is still not found in the same shell session:

$env:Path = "$env:USERPROFILE\.local\bin;$env:Path"
uv --version

Optional binary package managers on Windows

winget, scoop, and choco are optional convenience methods. Keep them secondary to official install instructions.

winget --version
winget install --id=astral-sh.uv -e
scoop --version
scoop install main/uv
choco --version
choco install uv

Global install

uv tool install --upgrade arcade-mcp
arcade -v
command -v arcade
uv tool install --upgrade arcade-mcp
arcade -v
Get-Command arcade

Virtual environment install

uv venv .venv
uv pip install --python .venv/bin/python arcade-mcp
.venv/bin/arcade -v

Optional activation:

source .venv/bin/activate
arcade -v
uv venv ".venv"
uv pip install --python ".venv\Scripts\python.exe" arcade-mcp
& ".venv\Scripts\arcade.exe" -v

Optional activation:

. ".venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1"
arcade -v

Install without uv (pip fallback)

Use this only if uv is unavailable.

python3 -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate
python -m pip install --upgrade pip
python -m pip install arcade-mcp
arcade -v

-level install:

python3 -m pip install --user arcade-mcp
arcade -v
python -m venv ".venv"
. ".venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1"
python -m pip install --upgrade pip
python -m pip install arcade-mcp
arcade -v

Global install:

python -m pip install --user arcade-mcp
arcade -v

Validate your installation

Run these after install:

arcade -v
arcade --help
arcade mcp --help

If validating a venv without activation:

.venv/bin/arcade -v
arcade -v
arcade --help
arcade mcp --help

If validating a venv without activation:

& ".venv\Scripts\arcade.exe" -v

Troubleshoot Windows setup

uv not found

$env:Path = "$env:USERPROFILE\.local\bin;$env:Path"
uv --version

arcade resolves to a venv instead of global install

Get-Command arcade

If this points to .venv\Scripts\arcade.exe, open a new shell or deactivate the venv before validating global install.

Execution policy blocks Activate.ps1

Get-ExecutionPolicy -List | Format-Table -AutoSize
Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope Process -ExecutionPolicy Bypass
. ".venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1"

Install takes longer than expected

The first install can download many dependencies. This is normal on fresh environments.

Docs mention brew install commands

Some Arcade docs include brew commands for macOS examples. On native Windows, prefer winget, scoop, or choco.

If you are following a guide that uses Homebrew, treat it as optional unless you are using WSL or Git Bash with Homebrew.

Next steps

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Before you startInstall uvOptional binary package managers on WindowsInstall Arcade CLI with uv (recommended)Global installVirtual environment installInstall without uv (pip fallback)Validate your installationTroubleshoot Windows setupuv not foundarcade resolves to a venv instead of global installExecution policy blocks Activate.ps1Install takes longer than expectedDocs mention brew install commandsNext steps