> For clean Markdown of any page, append .md to the page URL.
> For a complete documentation index, see https://natural.ferndocs.com/guides/platform/cli/llms.txt.
> For AI client integration (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.), connect to the MCP server at https://natural.ferndocs.com/_mcp/server.

# CLI

The `natural-api` CLI maps every API endpoint to a terminal command. Use it for scripting, CI pipelines, or when you prefer the command line over an SDK.

## Install

Install the [Rust toolchain](https://rustup.rs/) if you don't have it, then build from source:

```bash
git clone https://github.com/fern-demo/natural-cli.git
cd natural-cli
cargo build --release
./target/release/natural-api --help
```

## Authenticate

Set the `NATURAL_API_TOKEN` environment variable. The CLI also auto-loads a `.env` file in the working directory.

```bash
export NATURAL_API_TOKEN=sk_ntl_prod_...
```

## Usage

Every Natural resource appears as a subcommand. Pass request bodies with individual `--data.attributes.*` flags or `--json`:

```bash
natural-api agents list
natural-api agents create \
  --idempotency-key "create-my-agent" \
  --data.attributes.name "My Agent" \
  --data.attributes.description "Handles payments"
natural-api payments create \
  --idempotency-key "pay-123" \
  --json '{"data":{"attributes":{"amount":500000,"currency":"USD","counterparty":{"type":"email","value":"user@example.com"},"description":"Invoice payment"}}}'
natural-api transactions get --transaction-id txn_abc123
natural-api wallets list
natural-api external-accounts list
natural-api transfers initiateDeposit \
  --idempotency-key "dep-123" \
  --json '{"data":{"attributes":{"amount":5000000,"currency":"USD","externalAccountId":"eac_xyz"}}}'
```

Use `natural-api --help` or `natural-api <command> --help` for full option details.

## Dry run

The `--dry-run` flag renders the exact HTTP request the CLI would send, without executing it. Useful for scripting and agent workflows:

```bash
natural-api payments create --dry-run \
  --idempotency-key "test-123" \
  --json '{"data":{"attributes":{"amount":10000,"counterparty":{"type":"email","value":"test@example.com"}}}}'
```

## Output formats

Use the `--format` flag to control output. Supported values: `json` (default), `table`, `yaml`, `csv`.

```bash
natural-api agents list --format table
natural-api transactions get --transaction-id txn_abc123 --format yaml
```

## Environment variables

| Variable                   | Description                                                  |
| -------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| `NATURAL_API_TOKEN`        | Bearer token for authentication                              |
| `NATURAL_API_BASE_URL`     | Override the API base URL                                    |
| `NATURAL_API_CA_BUNDLE`    | Path to PEM file with extra trust roots (or `SSL_CERT_FILE`) |
| `NATURAL_API_INSECURE=1`   | Skip TLS verification (debugging only)                       |
| `NATURAL_API_PROXY`        | HTTP(S) proxy URL                                            |
| `NATURAL_API_TIMEOUT_SECS` | Total request timeout in seconds                             |

## Shell completion

Generate shell completion scripts:

```bash
natural-api completion <bash|zsh|fish|powershell>
```

## Related

* [SDKs](/guides/platform/sdks) — Python, TypeScript, and Go libraries
* [REST API](/guides/platform/apis) — Direct HTTP access
* [MCP](/guides/platform/mcp) — AI agent integration

> Command-line interface for Natural