> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.backant.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# CLI Installation

> Install the ant CLI and scaffold your first Flask API.

## Requirements

* Python 3.11+
* Docker & Docker Compose (to run generated projects)

***

## Install

```bash theme={null}
pip install backant-cli
```

<Tip>Use a virtual environment to keep your global Python environment clean.</Tip>

***

## Verify

```bash theme={null}
ant --help
```

Expected output:

```
Usage: ant [OPTIONS] COMMAND [ARGS]...

Options:
  --report  Output machine-readable JSON instead of human-readable text.
  --help    Show this message and exit.

Commands:
  generate  Generate API projects, routes, and subroutes.
```

***

## Your first API

```bash theme={null}
ant generate api my-api
cd my-api
docker compose up --build
```

Your API is now running at `http://localhost:5000`.

<Info>
  The default project includes a working `/default` route, PostgreSQL, and Docker Compose — ready to extend immediately.
</Info>

***

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="generate api" icon="rocket" href="/cli/generate-api">
    Full reference for scaffolding a project
  </Card>

  <Card title="generate route" icon="route" href="/cli/generate-route">
    Add routes to an existing project
  </Card>

  <Card title="JSON Spec" icon="code" href="/cli/json-spec">
    Define your entire API in a single JSON file
  </Card>

  <Card title="Configuration" icon="gear" href="/getting-started/configuration">
    Set up environment variables and your database
  </Card>
</CardGroup>