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Before you can start building on IOTA, you need to set up your development environment with the necessary tools and dependencies.

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Prerequisites

Ensure you have the following installed on your system:
  • Rust (latest stable version)
  • Git
  • pnpm (version 9.6.0 to 9.15.9) for TypeScript SDK development
  • A code editor (VS Code recommended)

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Install the IOTA CLI

The IOTA CLI is your primary tool for interacting with the IOTA network and managing Move packages.
1

Install Rust

If you don’t have Rust installed, download it from rust-lang.org:
curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -sSf https://sh.rustup.rs | sh
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
2

Clone the IOTA repository

git clone https://github.com/iotaledger/iota.git
cd iota
3

Build and install IOTA CLI

cargo build --release --bin iota
Add the binary to your PATH or install it globally:
cargo install --path crates/iota
4

Verify installation

Check that the IOTA CLI is installed correctly:
iota --version
You should see output with the version number.

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Configure IOTA CLI

1

Initialize IOTA client

Set up your IOTA client configuration:
iota client
This command initializes the client and creates a configuration file at ~/.iota/iota_config/client.yaml.
2

Connect to a network

Choose which IOTA network to connect to:
iota client new-env --alias testnet --rpc https://api.testnet.iota.cafe:443
iota client switch --env testnet
3

Create or import an address

Create a new address or import an existing one:
iota client new-address ed25519
Set your active address:
iota client active-address
4

Request test tokens

For testnet or devnet, request tokens from the faucet:
iota client faucet
Check your balance:
iota client gas

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Install Move development tools

1

Verify Move compiler

The Move compiler is included with the IOTA CLI. Test it:
iota move --help
2

Install IDE extensions

For VS Code, install the Move language extension:
  • Open VS Code
  • Go to Extensions (Ctrl+Shift+X)
  • Search for “Move”
  • Install the Move language support extension

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Set up TypeScript SDK (optional)

If you plan to build frontend applications, install the IOTA TypeScript SDK: 
npm install @iota/iota-sdk
For the latest experimental version: 
npm install @iota/iota-sdk@experimental

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Verify your setup

Confirm everything is working: 
# Check IOTA CLI
iota --version

# Check active environment
iota client active-env

# Check active address
iota client active-address

# Check gas balance
iota client gas

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Next steps

Now that your environment is set up, you’re ready to:
  • Create your first Move package
  • Write and deploy smart contracts
  • Interact with the IOTA blockchain

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Troubleshooting

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Rust toolchain issues

If you encounter Rust version issues, check the required version: 
cat rust-toolchain.toml
Update your Rust toolchain: 
rustup update

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Network connection issues

If you cannot connect to a network, verify:
  • Your internet connection is active
  • The RPC endpoint is correct
  • Firewall settings allow outbound connections

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CLI not found

If the iota command is not recognized:
  • Ensure the binary is in your PATH
  • Try using the full path to the binary
  • Restart your terminal after installation

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