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

# Development environment setup

> Install Go, Git, and the autheod CLI to interact with Autheo Chain's Cosmos-native modules.

Autheo Chain uses the Cosmos SDK. To interact with native chain modules — staking, key management, querying — you need the `autheod` CLI. This guide installs all required dependencies.

<Note>
  For EVM smart contract development with Remix IDE, `autheod` is optional. You can deploy and interact with contracts entirely through MetaMask without any CLI tooling. Return here when you need to operate a node or run Cosmos-native transactions.
</Note>

## Install dependencies

Before you install `autheod`, you'll need some basic dependencies.

### Install Go

The Cosmos SDK uses Go as its primary language. Install Go 1.23 or later.

**macOS:**

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

**Ubuntu/Debian:**

```bash theme={null}
sudo apt update && sudo apt install golang-go
```

For other systems, follow the official instructions at [go.dev/dl](https://go.dev/dl/).

Verify the installation:

```bash theme={null}
go version
# Expected: go version go1.23.x ...
```

### Install Git

**macOS:**

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

**Ubuntu/Debian:**

```bash theme={null}
sudo apt install git
```

For other systems, see [git-scm.com/downloads](https://git-scm.com/downloads).

## Install autheod

`autheod` is the Autheo Chain binary. It handles key management, transaction signing, staking, and node operations.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Download the latest release">
    ```bash theme={null}
    curl -L -o autheod \
      https://github.com/autheo-blockchain/autheo-chain-core/releases/latest/download/autheod
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Make executable and move to PATH">
    ```bash theme={null}
    chmod +x autheod
    sudo mv autheod /usr/local/bin/
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify the version">
    ```bash theme={null}
    autheod version
    ```

    Expected output: `1.0.8`
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  To build `autheod` from source (required for some custom configurations), see the [Installation guide](/nodes/node-setup/installation). The pre-built binary is sufficient for development and CLI usage.
</Note>

## Next steps

* Explore CLI commands → [CLI installation guide](/developers/setup/cli-installation)
* Set up a full development project → [Project scaffolding](/developers/setup/project-scaffolding)
* Deploy your first smart contract → [Deploy a smart contract](/developers/tutorials/deploy-smart-contract)