---
title: "GoCommands installation and upgrade"
description: "Install or upgrade GoCommands on Linux, macOS, and Windows from pre-built binaries or with conda."
type: Guide
tags:
  - GoCommands
  - Installation
generated:
  by: "claude/opus-5"
  at: "2026-09-11T00:00:00Z"
sources:
  - id: cyverse-learning-materials
    resource: "https://github.com/CyVerse-learning-materials/learning-materials-home/blob/b7392d21be4fd6a67d051847f98c81a18e058a12/docs/ds/gocommands/installation.md"
    title: "CyVerse Learning Materials: docs/ds/gocommands/installation.md"
    author: "team:cyverse"
    last_modified: "2025-04-01T14:25:43-07:00"
---

# GoCommands installation and upgrade

## :material-cog-outline: Installation using Pre-built Binaries

GoCommands provides pre-built binaries for various operating systems and architectures. Choose the appropriate command for your system to install the latest version.

### :simple-apple: macOS

macOS runs on a variety of Apple devices, including MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro. Depending on the model, it may use either an Intel/AMD 64-bit CPU or Apple Silicon (M1/M2). Follow the appropriate installation instructions based on your processor.

!!! tip "Unsure which CPU architecture your Mac uses?"

    :simple-gnometerminal: Run the following command in the terminal:
    ```sh
    uname -p
    ```
    This will return `aarch64` / `arm64` for Apple Silicon (M1/M2) or `x86_64` for Intel-based Macs.

#### :simple-intel: Intel 64-bit
Intel processors were used in Mac devices released before 2020. If you're using an older Mac, install GoCommands with the following command:  

```sh
GOCMD_VER=$(curl -L -s https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cyverse/gocommands/main/VERSION.txt); \
curl -L -s https://github.com/cyverse/gocommands/releases/download/${GOCMD_VER}/gocmd-${GOCMD_VER}-darwin-amd64.tar.gz | tar zxvf -
```

#### :simple-apple: Apple Silicon (M1/M2)  
Apple introduced its custom Silicon chips (M1, M2) in 2020, replacing Intel processors in newer Mac models. If your device runs on Apple Silicon, use the following command to install GoCommands:  

```sh
GOCMD_VER=$(curl -L -s https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cyverse/gocommands/main/VERSION.txt); \
curl -L -s https://github.com/cyverse/gocommands/releases/download/${GOCMD_VER}/gocmd-${GOCMD_VER}-darwin-arm64.tar.gz | tar zxvf -
```

---

### :simple-linux: Linux

Linux supports a wide range of CPU architectures. Follow the appropriate installation instructions based on your processor type.  

!!! tip "Unsure which CPU architecture your system uses?"

    :simple-gnometerminal: Run the following command in the terminal:
    ```sh
    uname -p
    ```
    This command will return the architecture type, such as `x86_64` for 64-bit Intel/AMD processors, `i386` / `i686` for 32-bit Intel/AMD processors, `aarch64` / `arm64` for 64-bit ARM processors, or `arm` for 32-bit ARM processors.

#### :simple-intel: :simple-amd: Intel/AMD 64-bit

```sh
GOCMD_VER=$(curl -L -s https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cyverse/gocommands/main/VERSION.txt); \
curl -L -s https://github.com/cyverse/gocommands/releases/download/${GOCMD_VER}/gocmd-${GOCMD_VER}-linux-amd64.tar.gz | tar zxvf -
```

#### :simple-intel: :simple-amd: Intel/AMD 32-bit

```sh
GOCMD_VER=$(curl -L -s https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cyverse/gocommands/main/VERSION.txt); \
curl -L -s https://github.com/cyverse/gocommands/releases/download/${GOCMD_VER}/gocmd-${GOCMD_VER}-linux-386.tar.gz | tar zxvf -
```

#### :simple-arm: ARM 64-bit

```sh
GOCMD_VER=$(curl -L -s https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cyverse/gocommands/main/VERSION.txt); \
curl -L -s https://github.com/cyverse/gocommands/releases/download/${GOCMD_VER}/gocmd-${GOCMD_VER}-linux-arm64.tar.gz | tar zxvf -
```

#### :simple-arm: ARM 32-bit

```sh
GOCMD_VER=$(curl -L -s https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cyverse/gocommands/main/VERSION.txt); \
curl -L -s https://github.com/cyverse/gocommands/releases/download/${GOCMD_VER}/gocmd-${GOCMD_VER}-linux-arm.tar.gz | tar zxvf -
```

---

### :material-microsoft-windows-classic: Windows  

Windows primarily runs on Intel/AMD CPU architectures. Most modern systems use 64-bit Intel/AMD processors, while very old systems may run on 32-bit processors.  

Windows includes two main terminal applications: `Command Prompt (CMD)` and `PowerShell`. Follow the appropriate installation instructions based on your processor type and preferred terminal.

#### :simple-gnometerminal: Command Prompt (CMD)

!!! tip "Unsure which CPU architecture your system uses?"

    :simple-gnometerminal: Run the following command in the Command Prompt (CMD):
    ```
    echo %PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE%
    ```sh
    This command will return the architecture type, such as `AMD64` for 64-bit Intel/AMD processors or `x86` for 32-bit Intel/AMD processors.

##### :simple-intel: :simple-amd: Intel/AMD 64-bit

```cmd
curl -L -s -o gocmdv.txt https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cyverse/gocommands/main/VERSION.txt && set /p GOCMD_VER=<gocmdv.txt
curl -L -s -o gocmd.zip https://github.com/cyverse/gocommands/releases/download/%GOCMD_VER%/gocmd-%GOCMD_VER%-windows-amd64.zip && tar zxvf gocmd.zip && del gocmd.zip gocmdv.txt
```

##### :simple-intel: :simple-amd: Intel/AMD 32-bit

```cmd
curl -L -s -o gocmdv.txt https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cyverse/gocommands/main/VERSION.txt && set /p GOCMD_VER=<gocmdv.txt
curl -L -s -o gocmd.zip https://github.com/cyverse/gocommands/releases/download/%GOCMD_VER%/gocmd-%GOCMD_VER%-windows-386.zip && tar zxvf gocmd.zip && del gocmd.zip gocmdv.txt
```

#### :simple-gnometerminal: PowerShell

!!! tip "Unsure which CPU architecture your system uses?"

    :simple-gnometerminal: Run the following command in the PowerShell:
    ```sh
    $env:PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE
    ```
    This command will return the architecture type, such as `AMD64` for 64-bit Intel/AMD processors or `x86` for 32-bit Intel/AMD processors.

##### :simple-intel: :simple-amd: Intel/AMD 64-bit

```powershell
curl -o gocmdv.txt https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cyverse/gocommands/main/VERSION.txt ; $env:GOCMD_VER = (Get-Content gocmdv.txt)
curl -o gocmd.zip https://github.com/cyverse/gocommands/releases/download/$env:GOCMD_VER/gocmd-$env:GOCMD_VER-windows-amd64.zip ; tar zxvf gocmd.zip ; del gocmd.zip ; del gocmdv.txt
```

##### :simple-intel: :simple-amd: Intel/AMD 32-bit

```powershell
curl -o gocmdv.txt https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cyverse/gocommands/main/VERSION.txt ; $env:GOCMD_VER = (Get-Content gocmdv.txt)
curl -o gocmd.zip https://github.com/cyverse/gocommands/releases/download/$env:GOCMD_VER/gocmd-$env:GOCMD_VER-windows-386.zip ; tar zxvf gocmd.zip ; del gocmd.zip ; del gocmdv.txt
```

---

## :simple-anaconda: Installation via Conda

GoCommands can be installed via `conda` if you are using Linux or Mac OS. Unfortunately, Windows system is not yet supported. Please follow instructions below to install.

1. Add `conda-forge` channel to `conda`. This is required because GoCommands is added to `conda-forge` channel.
    ```sh
    conda config --add channels conda-forge
    conda config --set channel_priority strict
    ```

2. Install GoCommands with `conda`.
    ```sh
    conda install gocommands
    ```

This will install the latest version of GoCommands available in the conda-forge repository.

---

## :material-braille: Manual Installation or Specific Versions  

If you need a specific release version or prefer to manually download the binaries, visit the GoCommands releases page:  

[GoCommands Releases](https://github.com/cyverse/gocommands/releases){target=_blank}

Here, you can browse and download any available version of GoCommands for your operating system.

---

## :material-sync: Upgrade

Keeping GoCommands up to date ensures you have the latest features and bug fixes. To upgrade to the latest version, follow these steps:  

1. Run the upgrade command:  
    ```sh
    gocmd upgrade
    ```  

2. If GoCommands is installed in a system directory, you may need administrative privileges. On Unix-like systems, use:  
    ```sh
    sudo gocmd upgrade
    ```  

This command automatically downloads and installs the latest release.

<p class="carc-provenance" markdown>Adapted from [CyVerse Learning Materials](https://github.com/CyVerse-learning-materials/learning-materials-home/blob/b7392d21be4fd6a67d051847f98c81a18e058a12/docs/ds/gocommands/installation.md){target=_blank} (last source update 2025-04-01), CC BY 4.0. Spotted a problem? [Open an issue](https://github.com/UNM-CARC/cyverse/issues){target=_blank}.</p>