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Install the CLI

The Spyke CLI is the command-line tool you use to save and compare versions of your PLC programs. This guide installs it on Windows and confirms it’s working.

It takes a few minutes. You only do this once per computer.

Before you begin

Section titled “Before you begin”

You’ll need:

  • Windows 10 or 11.
  • A program to track. Any project you can export from your PLC software. See Exports and Studio 5000 below for what Spyke reads.

Step 1: Install Spyke

Section titled “Step 1: Install Spyke”

Install the Spyke CLI:

Terminal window
# Installation command — to be confirmed for the beta release.

Step 2: Confirm it’s working

Section titled “Step 2: Confirm it’s working”

Open a new terminal and check the version:

Terminal window
spyke --version

If you see a version number, Spyke is installed and ready. If the command isn’t found, close and reopen your terminal so it picks up the new tool, then try again.

Exports and Studio 5000

Section titled “Exports and Studio 5000”

Spyke works with Rockwell Studio 5000 / Logix Designer projects in two forms:

  • .L5X exports work on any computer. If you can export an .L5X from your PLC software, you can track it with Spyke — Studio 5000 does not need to be installed.
  • .ACD project files can be tracked directly, but converting an .ACD requires a computer that has Studio 5000 and the Logix Designer SDK installed. On any other computer, export the project as .L5X from Studio 5000 and use that instead.

If you’re not sure which to use, start with an .L5X export — it’s the simplest path and works everywhere.

Next steps

Section titled “Next steps”