Installation workflows

Install Cortex CLI using a package manager, manual download, or the Cortex Cloud interface.

Choose the installation workflow that fits your environment.

Before installing the CLI, complete the prerequisites.

Install through a package manager

Using a package manager is the recommended method for installing the Cortex CLI. Use Homebrew for macOS and Linux, or Scoop for Windows.

Homebrew for macOS and Linux

Supported on macOS, Apple Silicon and Intel, and Linux, x86_64 and arm64.

Requires Homebrew.

Standard installation

brew tap paloaltonetworks/cortexcli
brew install cortexcli
cortexcli --version

Pin a specific version (optional)

If your workflow requires a specific version, use one of these methods.

Pin a release line

For example, stay on the 0.18.x release line.

This locks the CLI to a minor version. Security patches continue automatically.

brew install cortexcli@0.18
# keg-only — add to PATH if needed:
echo 'export PATH="$(brew --prefix cortexcli@0.18)/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.zprofile

Pin an exact version

For example, install exactly 0.18.0.

This locks the CLI to one build. It prevents automatic updates.

Scoop for Windows

Supported on Windows x64.

Requires Scoop.

Standard installation

scoop bucket add cortexcli https://github.com/PaloAltoNetworks/homebrew-cortexcli
scoop install cortexcli
cortexcli --version

Install a specific version (optional)

If your workflow requires a specific version, use:

scoop install cortexcli@0.18.0

Manual download

You can manually download the binaries for macOS, Linux, or Windows.

Download the archive from the releases page. Verify it against SHA256SUMS, then extract it.

Step	macOS / Linux	Windows
Download	Download the .tar.gz archive for your architecture	Download the .zip archive
Extract	The executable is named cortexcli	The executable is named cortexcli.exe
Add to PATH	Move cortexcli to a directory such as /usr/local/bin/	Move cortexcli.exe to a dedicated folder. Add that folder to Environment Variables

UI-based installation

Install the CLI directly from your Cortex tenant. The UI generates a tenant-specific command that downloads and authenticates the binary.

1

Generate the installation command

1. Navigate to Settings → Data Sources → + Data Source.
2. Search for Cortex CLI.
3. Select Connect or Connect Another Instance on the Cortex CLI card.
4. In Configure, select your operating system. Then click Next.
5. In Authenticate, generate an API key.

   • Select With upload results permissions to create a CLI View/Edit role.
   • Otherwise, the key receives a CLI Read Only role with CLI View permissions.

The Cortex CLI requires an API key with the Standard security level.

1. Save the generated API Key ID and API key.
2. Copy the command from Retrieve your API key.

On macOS ARM64, unpack the download to access the executable.

1. Verify the key appears in the API Keys inventory.

2

Download the CLI

Before you run the command, replace any placeholders with your credentials:

1. Replace ${API_KEY} with the saved API key.
2. If needed, copy the API URL from Settings → Configurations → API Keys.
3. Paste the completed command into your terminal. Then press Enter.

The generated command follows this syntax:

curl -k -u $CORTEX_API_ID::$CORTEX_API_KEY --output ./cortexcli $CORTEX_FQDN/api/v2/remote-li/{version}/{platform}/artifacts

This securely connects to your specific Cortex tenant ($CORTEX_FQDN) and downloads the cortexcli application directly to your current folder.

3

Make the CLI executable

On macOS and Linux, allow the downloaded binary to run:

chmod +x cortexcli

4

Verify the installation

Run the command that matches the binary location:

On your PATH

cortexcli -v

Current directory

./cortexcli -v

If the terminal displays a version, return to Cortex Cloud and click Done.

Configure credentials before running scans. See Authenticate credentials.