# Command-line interface (CLI)

The [Moneybird CLI](https://github.com/moneybird/moneybird-cli) is an official command-line interface for the Moneybird API. It reads the [OpenAPI specification](https://github.com/moneybird/openapi) at runtime to resolve commands, generate help, and map parameters, so the CLI stays in sync with the API automatically.

## When to use the CLI

Use the CLI to explore the API interactively, script ad-hoc automations, pipe Moneybird data into tools like `jq`, or prototype a request before wiring it into an application. For production integrations inside an application, call the API directly. The CLI is optimized for humans and agents working in a terminal.

## Quick start

```bash
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/moneybird/moneybird-cli/main/install.sh | bash
moneybird-cli login <your-token>
moneybird-cli contacts list
```

Create the API token under **Settings > External applications and AI connections > New API token** in Moneybird. See [Authentication](/authentication) for background on tokens and scopes.

## Full reference

Install options, shell completion, flag reference, config paths, and the full command catalog live in the upstream README:

[moneybird/moneybird-cli on GitHub](https://github.com/moneybird/moneybird-cli)

## Next steps

- Browse the full [API Reference](/api) to discover resources the CLI exposes
- Pair the CLI with [Webhooks](/webhooks/getting-started) for end-to-end automations
- Prefer conversation over scripting? Use [MCP](/tools/mcp) to reach the same surface from an AI assistant