Spring Boot can be used with “classic” Java development tools or installed as a command line tool. Either way, you need [Java SDK v1.8](https://www.java.com/) or higher. Before you begin, you should check your current Java installation by using the following command:
```
$ java -version
```
If you are new to Java development or if you want to experiment with Spring Boot, you might want to try the [Spring Boot CLI](https://docs.spring.io/spring-boot/docs/2.6.4/reference/html/getting-started.html#getting-started.installing.cli)(Command Line Interface) first. Otherwise, read on for “classic” installation instructions.
### Installation Instructions for the Java Developer
You can use Spring Boot in the same way as any standard Java library. To do so, include the appropriate `spring-boot-*.jar` files on your classpath. Spring Boot does not require any special tools integration, so you can use any IDE or text editor. Also, there is nothing special about a Spring Boot application, so you can run and debug a Spring Boot application as you would any other Java program.
Although you *could* copy Spring Boot jars, we generally recommend that you use a build tool that supports dependency management (such as Maven or Gradle).
#### Maven Installation
Spring Boot is compatible with Apache Maven 3.3 or above. If you do not already have Maven installed, you can follow the instructions at [maven.apache.org](https://maven.apache.org/).
Tip:
On many operating systems, Maven can be installed with a package manager. If you use OSX Homebrew, try `brew install maven`. Ubuntu users can run `sudo apt-get install maven`. Windows users with [Chocolatey](https://chocolatey.org/) can run `choco install maven` from an elevated (administrator) prompt.
Spring Boot dependencies use the `org.springframework.boot``groupId`. Typically, your Maven POM file inherits from the `spring-boot-starter-parent` project and declares dependencies to one or more [“Starters”](https://docs.spring.io/spring-boot/docs/2.6.4/reference/html/using.html#using.build-systems.starters). Spring Boot also provides an optional [Maven plugin](https://docs.spring.io/spring-boot/docs/2.6.4/reference/html/build-tool-plugins.html#build-tool-plugins.maven) to create executable jars.
More details on getting started with Spring Boot and Maven can be found in the [Getting Started section](https://docs.spring.io/spring-boot/docs/2.6.4/maven-plugin/reference/htmlsingle/#getting-started) of the Maven plugin’s reference guide.
#### Gradle Installation
Spring Boot is compatible with Gradle 6.8, 6.9, and 7.x. If you do not already have Gradle installed, you can follow the instructions at [gradle.org](https://gradle.org/).
Spring Boot dependencies can be declared by using the `org.springframework.boot``group`. Typically, your project declares dependencies to one or more [“Starters”](https://docs.spring.io/spring-boot/docs/2.6.4/reference/html/using.html#using.build-systems.starters). Spring Boot provides a useful [Gradle plugin](https://docs.spring.io/spring-boot/docs/2.6.4/reference/html/build-tool-plugins.html#build-tool-plugins.gradle) that can be used to simplify dependency declarations and to create executable jars.
```
Gradle Wrapper
The Gradle Wrapper provides a nice way of “obtaining” Gradle when you need to build a project. It is a small script and library that you commit alongside your code to bootstrap the build process. See docs.gradle.org/current/userguide/gradle_wrapper.html for details.
```
More details on getting started with Spring Boot and Gradle can be found in the [Getting Started section](https://docs.spring.io/spring-boot/docs/2.6.4/gradle-plugin/reference/htmlsingle/#getting-started) of the Gradle plugin’s reference guide.
### Installing the Spring Boot CLI
The Spring Boot CLI (Command Line Interface) is a command line tool that you can use to quickly prototype with Spring. It lets you run [Groovy](https://groovy-lang.org/) scripts, which means that you have a familiar Java-like syntax without so much boilerplate code.
You do not need to use the CLI to work with Spring Boot, but it is a quick way to get a Spring application off the ground without an IDE.
#### Manual Installation
You can download the Spring CLI distribution from the Spring software repository:
Cutting edge [snapshot distributions](https://repo.spring.io/snapshot/org/springframework/boot/spring-boot-cli/) are also available.
Once downloaded, follow the [INSTALL.txt](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/spring-projects/spring-boot/v2.6.4/spring-boot-project/spring-boot-cli/src/main/content/INSTALL.txt) instructions from the unpacked archive. In summary, there is a `spring` script (`spring.bat` for Windows) in a `bin/` directory in the `.zip` file. Alternatively, you can use `java -jar` with the `.jar` file (the script helps you to be sure that the classpath is set correctly).
#### Installation with SDKMAN!
SDKMAN! (The Software Development Kit Manager) can be used for managing multiple versions of various binary SDKs, including Groovy and the Spring Boot CLI. Get SDKMAN! from [sdkman.io](https://sdkman.io/) and install Spring Boot by using the following commands:
```
$ sdk install springboot
$ spring --version
Spring CLI v2.6.4
```
If you develop features for the CLI and want access to the version you built, use the following commands:
```
$ sdk install springboot dev /path/to/spring-boot/spring-boot-cli/target/spring-boot-cli-2.6.4-bin/spring-2.6.4/
$ sdk default springboot dev
$ spring --version
Spring CLI v2.6.4
```
The preceding instructions install a local instance of `spring` called the `dev` instance. It points at your target build location, so every time you rebuild Spring Boot, `spring` is up-to-date.
If you are on a Mac and use [Homebrew](https://brew.sh/), you can install the Spring Boot CLI by using the following commands:
```
$ brew tap spring-io/tap
$ brew install spring-boot
```
Homebrew installs `spring` to `/usr/local/bin`.
Note:
If you do not see the formula, your installation of brew might be out-of-date. In that case, run `brew update` and try again.
#### MacPorts Installation
If you are on a Mac and use [MacPorts](https://www.macports.org/), you can install the Spring Boot CLI by using the following command:
```
$ sudo port install spring-boot-cli
```
#### Command-line Completion
The Spring Boot CLI includes scripts that provide command completion for the [BASH](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bash_(Unix_shell)) and [zsh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z_shell) shells. You can `source` the script (also named `spring`) in any shell or put it in your personal or system-wide bash completion initialization. On a Debian system, the system-wide scripts are in `/shell-completion/bash` and all scripts in that directory are executed when a new shell starts. For example, to run the script manually if you have installed by using SDKMAN!, use the following commands:
