> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/grafana/k6-docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Install k6

> Install the k6 CLI on Linux, macOS, Windows, or use Docker to start load testing your applications.

# Install k6

k6 has packages for Linux, Mac, and Windows. Alternatively, you can use a Docker container or a standalone binary.

<Info>
  You can also use k6 Studio, a desktop application that helps you generate k6 scripts from browser recordings without writing code. Learn more in the [k6 Studio](#k6-studio) section.
</Info>

## Choose your platform

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="macOS">
    Install k6 using [Homebrew](https://brew.sh/):

    ```bash theme={null}
    brew install k6
    ```

    Verify the installation:

    ```bash theme={null}
    k6 version
    ```

    ### Upgrade k6

    To upgrade to the latest version:

    ```bash theme={null}
    brew upgrade k6
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Linux">
    <Tabs>
      <Tab title="Debian/Ubuntu">
        Add the k6 repository and install:

        ```bash theme={null}
        sudo gpg -k
        sudo gpg --no-default-keyring --keyring /usr/share/keyrings/k6-archive-keyring.gpg --keyserver hkp://keyserver.ubuntu.com:80 --recv-keys C5AD17C747E3415A3642D57D77C6C491D6AC1D69
        echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/k6-archive-keyring.gpg] https://dl.k6.io/deb stable main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/k6.list
        sudo apt-get update
        sudo apt-get install k6
        ```

        Verify the installation:

        ```bash theme={null}
        k6 version
        ```

        ### Upgrade k6

        To upgrade to the latest version:

        ```bash theme={null}
        sudo apt-get update
        sudo apt-get install k6
        ```
      </Tab>

      <Tab title="Fedora/CentOS">
        Install using `dnf` (or `yum` on older versions):

        ```bash theme={null}
        sudo dnf install https://dl.k6.io/rpm/repo.rpm
        sudo dnf install k6
        ```

        Verify the installation:

        ```bash theme={null}
        k6 version
        ```

        ### Upgrade k6

        To upgrade to the latest version:

        ```bash theme={null}
        sudo dnf upgrade k6
        ```
      </Tab>
    </Tabs>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Windows">
    <Tabs>
      <Tab title="Windows Package Manager">
        Install using the [Windows Package Manager](https://github.com/microsoft/winget-cli):

        ```powershell theme={null}
        winget install k6 --source winget
        ```

        Verify the installation:

        ```powershell theme={null}
        k6 version
        ```

        ### Upgrade k6

        To upgrade to the latest version:

        ```powershell theme={null}
        winget upgrade k6
        ```
      </Tab>

      <Tab title="Chocolatey">
        Install using [Chocolatey](https://chocolatey.org/):

        ```powershell theme={null}
        choco install k6
        ```

        Verify the installation:

        ```powershell theme={null}
        k6 version
        ```

        ### Upgrade k6

        To upgrade to the latest version:

        ```powershell theme={null}
        choco upgrade k6
        ```
      </Tab>

      <Tab title="MSI Installer">
        Download and run [the latest official installer](https://dl.k6.io/msi/k6-latest-amd64.msi).

        After installation, verify from PowerShell or Command Prompt:

        ```powershell theme={null}
        k6 version
        ```

        ### Upgrade k6

        Download and run the latest MSI installer to upgrade.
      </Tab>
    </Tabs>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Docker">
    Pull the official k6 Docker image:

    ```bash theme={null}
    docker pull grafana/k6
    ```

    Verify the installation:

    ```bash theme={null}
    docker run --rm grafana/k6 version
    ```

    ### For browser testing

    If you plan to run k6 browser tests, use the image with Chromium installed:

    ```bash theme={null}
    docker pull grafana/k6:master-with-browser
    ```

    ### Running tests with Docker

    To run a test script with Docker, you need to mount your script into the container:

    <CodeGroup>
      ```bash Linux/macOS theme={null}
      docker run --rm -i grafana/k6 run - <script.js
      ```

      ```powershell Windows theme={null}
      cat script.js | docker run --rm -i grafana/k6 run -
      ```
    </CodeGroup>

    <Tip>
      The `-i` flag allows k6 to read the script from stdin, and `<` or `cat` pipes your script file into the container.
    </Tip>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Binary">
    Download the standalone binary for your platform:

    1. Visit the [k6 GitHub Releases page](https://github.com/grafana/k6/releases)
    2. Download the archive for your operating system and architecture
    3. Extract the archive
    4. Move the `k6` (or `k6.exe` on Windows) binary to a directory in your `PATH`

    Verify the installation:

    ```bash theme={null}
    k6 version
    ```

    ### Upgrade k6

    Download the latest binary from the [GitHub Releases page](https://github.com/grafana/k6/releases) and replace your existing installation.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Using k6 extensions

If you want to use [k6 extensions](https://grafana.com/docs/k6/latest/extensions/) to add support for additional protocols or features, you need a k6 binary built with your desired extensions.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Browse extensions">
    Visit the [k6 extensions catalog](https://grafana.com/docs/k6/latest/extensions/explore) to find available extensions.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Build custom k6 binary">
    Use the k6 build service or build locally with xk6 to create a binary with your chosen extensions.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Replace standard k6">
    Use your custom k6 binary instead of the standard installation.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Popular extensions include:

* **xk6-kafka**: Test Kafka producers and consumers
* **xk6-sql**: Query databases directly
* **xk6-browser**: Enhanced browser testing capabilities
* **xk6-disruptor**: Inject faults in Kubernetes for chaos testing

## k6 Studio

k6 Studio is a desktop application for Windows, macOS, and Linux that helps you generate k6 scripts from browser recordings without writing code.

### Features

* Generate protocol and browser test scripts from recordings
* Test and debug scripts with a visual interface
* No coding required for basic test creation

### Installation

Refer to the [k6 Studio installation guide](https://grafana.com/docs/k6-studio/set-up/install/) for instructions.

<Info>
  k6 Studio and k6 CLI are separate tools. You can use k6 Studio to generate scripts and k6 CLI to run them.
</Info>

## Troubleshooting

If you encounter installation issues:

1. Check the [common installation issues guide](https://grafana.com/docs/k6/latest/set-up/install-k6/troubleshooting/)
2. Verify your system meets the requirements
3. Check for permission issues when installing globally
4. Try the Docker installation as an alternative

If your problem persists:

* Open an issue in the [k6 GitHub repository](https://github.com/grafana/k6)
* Ask for help in the [Grafana community forum](https://community.grafana.com/)

## Configure your code editor

After installing k6, enhance your development experience by configuring your code editor:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="VS Code" icon="vscode">
    Install k6 TypeScript definitions for IntelliSense:

    ```bash theme={null}
    npm install --save-dev @types/k6
    ```
  </Card>

  <Card title="JetBrains IDEs" icon="code">
    Add k6 type definitions to enable auto-completion and documentation hints.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

Learn more in the [Configure your code editor guide](https://grafana.com/docs/k6/latest/set-up/configure-your-code-editor/).

## Next steps

Now that you have k6 installed:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Write Your First Test" icon="code" href="/get-started/first-test">
    Create and run your first k6 test script
  </Card>

  <Card title="Understanding Results" icon="chart-line" href="/get-started/results">
    Learn how to interpret k6 metrics and output
  </Card>
</CardGroup>