# Installation
`cargo-upkeep` can be installed from crates.io, from prebuilt release assets, or from source.
## crates.io
```bash
cargo install cargo-upkeep
```
## cargo-binstall
If you use [`cargo-binstall`](https://github.com/cargo-bins/cargo-binstall) for prebuilt binaries:
```bash
cargo binstall cargo-upkeep
```
## Install script
The install script downloads the matching release archive, verifies its SHA-256 checksum, installs the binary, and also installs the companion Claude Code skills unless you opt out.
Binary plus skills:
```bash
Binary only:
```bash
SKIP_SKILLS=1 curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/llbbl/upkeep-rs/main/scripts/install.sh | bash
```
The script also accepts:
- `VERSION` to pin a release tag instead of `latest`
- `INSTALL_DIR` to choose the binary install path
- `SKILLS_DIR` to change where the Claude Code skills are installed
## From source
Source installs use the toolchain declared in [Cargo.toml](../Cargo.toml).
```bash
git clone https://github.com/llbbl/upkeep-rs
cd upkeep-rs
cargo install --path .
```
## After install
The normal invocation is:
```bash
cargo upkeep <command>
```
For the direct binary form and compatibility alias, see [docs/spec.md#cli-contract](./spec.md#cli-contract).