# Start with the CLI (/get-started/cli) The OpenMetal CLI is the primary execution interface for coding agents, terminal workflows, and CI. ## Install [#install] The CLI requires Node.js 22 or later when installed from npm. ```bash npm install --global @openmetal/cli ``` ## Configure access [#configure-access] [Create an OpenMetal account](https://www.openmetal.sh/login), then run guided setup in a trusted terminal. It opens browser authentication, selects or creates an organization and project, and creates a project API key. ```bash openmetal setup openmetal doctor ``` Setup prints a newly created project API key once. Do not run this step in recorded terminals or CI logs. ## Create a sandbox [#create-a-sandbox] ```bash openmetal sandbox create \ --environment metal/node \ --environment-version latest \ --vcpu 2 \ --memory-mb 4096 \ --runtime-timeout 1800 ``` Interactive commands wait for completion. In automation, request the accepted response and wait explicitly: ```bash openmetal --json --no-input sandbox create \ --environment metal/node \ --environment-version latest \ --vcpu 2 \ --memory-mb 4096 \ --runtime-timeout 1800 \ --async openmetal operation wait --timeout 180 ``` ## Inspect and clean up [#inspect-and-clean-up] ```bash openmetal sandbox list openmetal sandbox get openmetal sandbox delete --yes ``` ## Next steps [#next-steps]