This guide covers installing the Boilerplates CLI on various platforms.
Before installing, ensure you have:
python3 --versionpython3 --version
If you see version 3.10 or higher, you're ready to proceed. If not, see the platform-specific instructions below for installing Python.
The automated installer script handles all dependencies and setup:
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/christianlempa/boilerplates/main/scripts/install.sh | bash
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/christianlempa/boilerplates/main/scripts/install.sh | bash -s -- --version v0.1.0
The installer will:
boilerplates command to your PATHInstall Python and dependencies:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y python3 python3-pip python3-venv git
Install pipx:
python3 -m pip install --user pipx
python3 -m pipx ensurepath
Install Boilerplates:
pipx install boilerplates-cli
Verify installation:
boilerplates --version
Install Python and dependencies:
sudo dnf install -y python3 python3-pip git
Install pipx:
python3 -m pip install --user pipx
python3 -m pipx ensurepath
Install Boilerplates:
pipx install boilerplates-cli
Install Python and dependencies:
sudo pacman -S python python-pip git
Install pipx:
python3 -m pip install --user pipx
python3 -m pipx ensurepath
Install Boilerplates:
pipx install boilerplates-cli
Install Homebrew (if not already installed):
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
Install Python and pipx:
brew install python pipx
pipx ensurepath
Install Boilerplates:
pipx install boilerplates-cli
Download and install Python 3.10+ from python.org
Install pipx:
python3 -m pip install --user pipx
python3 -m pipx ensurepath
Install Boilerplates:
pipx install boilerplates-cli
Boilerplates is available as a Nix Flake for NixOS and Nix users.
nix run github:christianlempa/boilerplates -- --help
nix profile install github:christianlempa/boilerplates
Add to your flake.nix:
{
inputs.boilerplates.url = "github:christianlempa/boilerplates";
outputs = { self, nixpkgs, boilerplates }: {
# Use boilerplates.packages.${system}.default
packages.x86_64-linux.default = boilerplates.packages.x86_64-linux.default;
};
}
nix shell github:christianlempa/boilerplates
While Boilerplates can run on Windows, we recommend using Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) for the best experience.
Install WSL:
wsl --install
Restart your computer
Follow Linux installation instructions above (Ubuntu is the default distribution)
Install Python 3.10+ from python.org
Install pipx:
python -m pip install --user pipx
python -m pipx ensurepath
Install Boilerplates:
pipx install boilerplates-cli
For development or custom installations:
pip install --user boilerplates-cli
Note: This installs globally and may conflict with system packages. Use pipx instead.
Clone the repository:
git clone https://github.com/ChristianLempa/boilerplates.git
cd boilerplates
Create virtual environment:
python3 -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate # On Windows: venv\Scripts\activate
Install in development mode:
pip install -e .
Run the CLI:
python3 -m cli --help
boilerplates --version
Expected output:
Boilerplates CLI v0.1.0
Sync the default template library:
boilerplates repo update
This downloads all available templates to:
~/.config/boilerplates/libraries/
Enable tab completion for your shell:
echo 'eval "$(_BOILERPLATES_COMPLETE=bash_source boilerplates)"' >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc
echo 'eval "$(_BOILERPLATES_COMPLETE=zsh_source boilerplates)"' >> ~/.zshrc
source ~/.zshrc
echo '_BOILERPLATES_COMPLETE=fish_source boilerplates | source' >> ~/.config/fish/completions/boilerplates.fish
pipx upgrade boilerplates-cli
boilerplates repo update
pipx uninstall boilerplates-cli
rm -rf ~/.config/boilerplates
If boilerplates is not found, ensure pipx binaries are in your PATH:
# Add to your shell profile (.bashrc, .zshrc, etc.)
export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"
Then reload your shell:
source ~/.bashrc # or ~/.zshrc
If you have Python < 3.10, install a newer version:
Ubuntu/Debian:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:deadsnakes/ppa
sudo apt update
sudo apt install python3.11
Fedora:
sudo dnf install python3.11
MacOS (Homebrew):
brew install python@3.11
If you encounter permission errors during installation:
# Use --user flag
python3 -m pip install --user pipx
# Or use virtual environments
python3 -m venv ~/venvs/boilerplates
source ~/venvs/boilerplates/bin/activate
pip install boilerplates-cli
If you encounter SSL errors:
# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt install ca-certificates
# Update certificates
sudo update-ca-certificates
Now that you've installed Boilerplates: