# Core Maintenance

## Install

#### 1. Install Diffblue Cover CLI

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Windows" %}

1. Download the Diffblue Cover CLI `.exe` installer or `.zip` file from:\
   \
   \&#xNAN;**-** The Diffblue website - [Free Trial](https://www.diffblue.com/try-cover) version.\
   \
   \&#xNAN;**-** The link sent to you via your Diffblue Cover welcome email.\
   \
   \&#xNAN;**-** Your organization's internal file/app store.
2. If you use the installer, run the `.exe` installer and follow the on-screen prompts - during installation you can select where to install Diffblue Cover.
3. If you use the archive file, extract the `.zip` file to an appropriate installation folder. Add the install folder path to your `PATH` environment variable or create a new `%DCOVER%` environment variable and add that to `PATH`.
4. When you're done, restart your PC. Once complete, open Windows PowerShell and enter `dcover version` to check the install and `PATH` configuration - if all is OK, Cover will display the current version.
   {% endtab %}

{% tab title="Linux/macOS" %}

1. Download the Diffblue Cover CLI `.zip` file from:\
   \
   \&#xNAN;**-** The Diffblue website - [Free Trial](https://www.diffblue.com/try-cover) version.\
   \
   \&#xNAN;**-** The link sent to you via your Diffblue Cover welcome email.\
   \
   \&#xNAN;**-** Your organization's internal file/app store.
2. Unzip the Cover CLI zip file to an appropriate installation location (for example, `~/bin`) and add this location in the `PATH` environment variable using the following example commands:\\

   ```
   mkdir ~/bin
   cd ~/bin
   unzip ~/diffblue-cover*.zip
   export PATH=$PATH:~/bin
   ```

   \
   **Reminder:** Make sure that the `PATH` environment variable is set permanently according to your operating system instructions.
3. Once complete, run `dcover version` to check the install and `PATH` configuration - if all is OK, Cover will display the current version.
   {% endtab %}
   {% endtabs %}

#### 2. Apply a license

Diffblue Cover requires a remote license check with the Diffblue licensing server each time it's used. For help troubleshooting license keys, network connections, and proxy server settings, as well as details of offline licensing (Enterprise Edition only), see [Licensing](/get-started/licensing.md).

* To activate your license, open Windows PowerShell (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux) and enter the command `dcover activate <license-key>` - replace `<license-key>` with the license key provided in your welcome email or provided by your organization.
* Entering multiple different license keys will overwrite the existing key.
* You can check your license status by running the command `dcover license`

## Update

{% hint style="info" %}
Updating Cover CLI may take a few minutes to complete and you won't be able to create any tests for your projects while the update is progressing.
{% endhint %}

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Windows" %}

1. Using the link provided by Diffblue, download the new Diffblue Cover CLI file - either the `.exe` installer or `.zip` archive, as needed.
2. If you use the installer, run the `.exe` installer and follow the on-screen prompts.
3. If you use the archive file, extract the `.zip` file to your existing Cover CLI folder.
4. When your done, restart your PC.
   {% endtab %}

{% tab title="Linux/macOS" %}

1. Using the link provided by Diffblue, download the Diffblue Cover CLI `.zip` file.
2. Unzip the Cover CLI zip file to an appropriate installation location (for example, `~/bin`) and update this location in the `PATH` environment variable using the following example commands:\\

   ```
   mkdir ~/bin
   cd ~/bin
   unzip ~/diffblue-cover*.zip
   cd
   export PATH=$PATH:~/bin
   ```

   \
   **Reminder:** Make sure that the `PATH` environment variable is set permanently according to your operating system instructions.
   {% endtab %}
   {% endtabs %}


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://cover-docs-preview.diffblue.com/features/cover-cli/cover-cli-admin/core-maintenance.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.