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

# Connect Quickstart

> Get started with Pipedream Connect in minutes using the CLI

export const PUBLIC_APPS = '3,000';

Pipedream Connect provides a developer toolkit that lets you add {PUBLIC_APPS}+ integrations to your app or AI agent. The fastest way to get started is with the Pipedream CLI.

In this quickstart, you'll:

* Install the Pipedream CLI
* Create a Connect project
* Set up a Pipedream OAuth client to authenticate API requests
* Run the [SDK playground](https://pipedream.com/connect/demo) locally to explore the Pipedream SDK and pre-built tools

## Set up Connect with the CLI

<Steps>
  <Step title="Install the Pipedream CLI">
    <Tabs>
      <Tab title="macOS">
        **Using Homebrew:**

        ```bash theme={null}
        brew tap pipedreamhq/pd-cli
        brew install pipedreamhq/pd-cli/pipedream
        ```

        **From source:**

        ```bash theme={null}
        curl https://cli.pipedream.com/install | sh
        ```
      </Tab>

      <Tab title="Linux">
        ```bash theme={null}
        curl https://cli.pipedream.com/install | sh
        ```
      </Tab>

      <Tab title="Windows">
        Download the [Windows build](https://cli.pipedream.com/windows/amd64/latest/pd.zip), unzip it, and add `pd.exe` to your PATH.
      </Tab>
    </Tabs>

    Verify the installation:

    ```bash theme={null}
    pd --version
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Log in to your account">
    Authenticate with your Pipedream account:

    ```bash theme={null}
    pd login
    ```

    This opens your browser to complete sign in.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize a Connect project">
    Run the [Connect initialization command](/cli/reference/#pd-init-connect):

    ```bash theme={null}
    pd init connect
    ```

    This command walks you through:

    * Creating a new project (or selecting an existing one)
    * Setting up a Pipedream OAuth client to authenticate requests to the Connect API
    * Choosing one of the available demo apps to get started:
      * **[Next.js app for managed auth](https://github.com/PipedreamHQ/pipedream-connect-examples/tree/master/managed-auth-basic-next-app)**: a basic Next.js application demonstrating how your users can connect their accounts
      * **[SDK Playground](https://github.com/PipedreamHQ/pipedream-connect-examples/tree/master/connect-react-demo)**: an interactive playground that highlights both the frontend `connect-react` and backend `@pipedream/sdk` libraries for integrating 10,000+ pre-built triggers and actions
      * **[MCP Chat App](https://github.com/PipedreamHQ/mcp-chat)**: an AI chat application powered by Pipedream's MCP server

    <Note>
      The CLI automatically creates a `.env` file with your OAuth client credentials and project ID. Keep this file secure and don't commit it to version control.
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start your chosen demo app">
    After initialization, start the demo app you selected:

    ```bash theme={null}
    cd your-project-name
    npm run dev
    ```

    Open [http://localhost:3000](http://localhost:3000) to see your app running.

    <Tabs>
      <Tab title="Next.js with Managed Auth">
        This demo showcases:

        * **User authentication** - Sign in flows for your end users
        * **Account connections** - Connect user accounts to {PUBLIC_APPS}+ apps
        * **Basic integration patterns** - Common use cases and implementation examples
      </Tab>

      <Tab title="React SDK Playground">
        This interactive playground demonstrates:

        * **Component browser** - Explore 10,000+ pre-built API operations (triggers and actions)
        * **Managed auth** - Connect your users' accounts to {PUBLIC_APPS}+ apps
        * **Component configuration** - Configure and test components with real API data
        * **Live execution** - Run actions and see the results in real-time
      </Tab>

      <Tab title="MCP Chat App">
        This AI chat application features:

        * **Model Context Protocol (MCP)** - Pipedream's MCP integration for AI agents
        * **Integrated tools** - All {PUBLIC_APPS}+ apps available as chat tools
        * **Live demo** - See the production version at [chat.pipedream.com](https://chat.pipedream.com)
        * **AI-powered workflows** - Execute actions through natural language commands
      </Tab>
    </Tabs>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Run the demo app">
    Follow the instructions in the CLI to set up your local environment and run the app.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Next steps

* Send custom requests with the [Connect Proxy](/connect/api-proxy)
* Explore the [Connect API](/connect/api-reference/introduction)
* Learn more about [Pipedream MCP](/connect/mcp)