Command-line tools are the backbone of any productive development workflow. Whether you’re developing mobile apps with Flutter or backend logic with Dart, having a strong grip on CLI commands will speed up your tasks and automate your builds.
Here’s a fully updated, concise guide covering all essential Flutter and Dart CLI commands.
Flutter CLI Essentials
Flutter CLI helps you manage your app lifecycle from project creation to release builds. Here’s your cheat sheet:
flutter create <project_name> # Start a new Flutter project
flutter run # Launch the app on a connected device
flutter run -d <device_id> # Run app on a specified device
flutter build <platform> # Compile app for production (apk, ios, web, etc.)
flutter build ipa # Build iOS IPA file (macOS only)
flutter build web # Build web version of your app
flutter doctor # Diagnose environment setup issues
flutter pub get # Install dependencies listed in pubspec.yaml
flutter pub upgrade # Update to latest compatible packages
flutter pub outdated # Show outdated packages
flutter pub add <package> # Add a new package dependency
flutter pub remove <package> # Remove a package
flutter clean # Clear temporary build files
flutter analyze # Perform static code analysis
flutter test # Run unit tests
flutter test --coverage # Run tests with coverage report
flutter format . # Format all Dart files
flutter gen-l10n # Generate localization code
flutter downgrade # Revert to previous Flutter version
flutter upgrade # Update Flutter to latest version
flutter channel # Switch between stable, beta, and dev channels
flutter config # Enable or disable features like web or desktop
flutter devices # List all connected devices
flutter logs # Stream real-time logs
flutter symbolize # Decode crash stack traces
Dart CLI Essentials
Dart CLI lets you build tools, scripts, and servers. Here are the commands you need to know:
dart create <project_name> # Generate a new Dart project
dart run # Execute a Dart file or app
dart run <package>:<command> # Execute a command from a dependency package
dart compile <format> # Compile Dart code to native or JS
dart compile exe file.dart # To native executable
dart compile js file.dart # To JavaScript
dart pub get # Fetch project dependencies
dart pub upgrade # Upgrade packages
dart pub outdated # View dependency status
dart pub add <package> # Add a package
dart pub remove <package> # Remove a package
dart pub cache repair # Fix the pub cache
dart pub global activate <package> # Install a global CLI tool
dart pub global deactivate <package> # Remove global package
dart pub global run <package> # Run a globally installed command
dart analyze # Analyze code for errors or style issues
dart test # Run tests (requires test package)
dart test --coverage # Get test coverage results
dart format . # Format Dart files
dart fix --apply # Automatically fix code issues
dart doc # Generate project documentation
Pro Tips
- Add CLI shortcuts to scripts or Makefiles for repeatable workflows.
- Use aliases in your shell for frequent commands.
- Always run
flutter doctorif you face issues after an upgrade.
Final Thoughts
CLI commands are more than shortcuts—they’re a developer’s toolkit. Mastering these will boost your speed, improve quality, and help you build better apps faster.
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