FreeGuard CLI: VPN in Your Terminal

FreeGuard CLI is a free, open-source command-line VPN client that lets you connect to VPN servers, manage your subscription, and automate your network security — all from the terminal. Whether you are a developer, sysadmin, or power user, the CLI gives you the fastest, most scriptable way to protect your internet connection.

Why Use a CLI VPN Client?

Graphical VPN apps are fine for casual use, but they fall short when you need speed, control, and automation. Here is why the CLI approach wins for technical users:

Raw Speed

The FreeGuard CLI connects in seconds. There is no GUI to load, no splash screen to wait for, and no unnecessary background processes. Launch your terminal, type one command, and you are connected.

freeguard connect

That is it. Your traffic is now encrypted and routed through the fastest available server.

Automation-Ready

Need to connect to a VPN before running a deployment script? Want to rotate servers every hour? The CLI integrates directly into shell scripts, cron jobs, and CI/CD pipelines.

#!/bin/bash
freeguard connect --server us-west
./deploy.sh
freeguard disconnect

Headless Server Support

Running a cloud instance with no desktop environment? The CLI works perfectly on headless servers. No X11, no Wayland, no problem. Install, authenticate, connect.

AI Agent Integration

This is what truly sets FreeGuard CLI apart. It is designed from the ground up to work with AI coding assistants like Claude Code, Cursor, and OpenClaw. AI agents can install, configure, and manage your VPN connection through natural conversation. No manual steps required.

Quick Install

Getting started takes less than a minute on any platform.

macOS

brew install freeguard/tap/freeguard

Linux (Ubuntu / Debian)

curl -fsSL https://cli.freeguard.com/install.sh | bash

Linux (Other Distributions)

curl -fsSL https://cli.freeguard.com/install.sh | bash

The installer detects your distribution and installs the appropriate package.

Windows

winget install FreeGuard.CLI

Verify Installation

freeguard --version

You should see the version number printed to stdout.

Your First Connection

Step 1: Log In

freeguard login

This opens your browser to authenticate. On headless servers, use email-based login:

freeguard login --method email

Step 2: Connect

freeguard connect

FreeGuard automatically selects the fastest server based on your location. To choose a specific region:

freeguard connect --server jp-tokyo

Step 3: Verify

freeguard status

This displays your connection status, current server, protocol, and uptime.

Step 4: Disconnect

freeguard disconnect

What Makes FreeGuard CLI Different

One-Command Setup

Other VPN CLIs require downloading config files, editing YAML, and managing certificates manually. FreeGuard CLI handles everything:

freeguard login && freeguard connect

Two commands. Zero config files.

Built for AI Agents

FreeGuard CLI is the first VPN client designed to be operated by AI assistants. Every command supports --json output and --no-color mode for machine parsing. AI agents on platforms like Claude Code can install and manage FreeGuard without any human intervention.

Modern Protocols

FreeGuard CLI supports Trojan, Hysteria2, and AnyTLS protocols out of the box. The client automatically selects the best protocol for your network conditions, or you can specify one manually:

freeguard connect --protocol hysteria2

Multi-Platform Parity

The same commands work identically on macOS, Linux, and Windows. Scripts you write on your Mac will run unchanged on your production servers.

Open Source

The CLI client is fully open source. You can audit the code, contribute features, or fork it for your own use.

Common Commands at a Glance

Next Steps

• FreeGuard CLI overview — full feature list and documentation
• AI Agent Setup — let your AI assistant manage VPN for you
• Pricing — choose a plan that fits your usage
• CLI vs GUI — not sure which client to use? We compare them side by side

Last updated: March 2026