Essential Flutter CLI Commands Every Developer Must Know

Flutter is widely loved for its speed and flexibility, and one of the main reasons is the Flutter Command Line Interface (CLI). Whether you are building mobile, web, or desktop apps, the Flutter CLI helps you manage projects, run apps, fix issues, and control every part of your development workflow—directly from the terminal.

If you’re new to Flutter or want to improve your daily workflow, this guide covers the most useful Flutter CLI commands that every developer must know.

 

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1. Check Your Flutter Setup

Before starting any project, make sure Flutter is installed correctly.

Command

flutter doctor

What it does

• Checks your system for required tools
• Highlights missing SDKs or drivers
• Helps you fix common issues

This is usually the first command every Flutter developer runs.

 

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2. Create a New Flutter Project

You can create a fresh project within seconds using the CLI.

Command

flutter create project_name

What it does

• Generates the project structure
• Adds default folders and files
• Sets up iOS, Android, Web, Linux, and macOS support (based on configuration)

 

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3. Run Your Flutter App

Once the project is ready, you can run it on an emulator or physical device.

Command

flutter run

What it does

• Launches the app on the connected device
• Automatically reloads changes when you save (hot reload)

To choose a specific device:

flutter devices

flutter run -d device_id

 

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4. Use Hot Reload and Hot Restart

Although these work automatically inside the terminal, it’s good to know the shortcuts:

• Hot Reload: r
   
• Hot Restart: R
   

Hot reload applies code changes instantly, while hot restart reloads the entire app state.

 

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5. Manage Flutter Versions and Channels

Flutter has multiple channels: stable, beta, dev, and master.

• Check your current channel

flutter channel

• Switch to another channel

flutter channel stable

• Upgrade Flutter

flutter upgrade

These commands help you stay updated with the latest features and fixes.

 

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6. Build APK, AAB, IPA, and Web Versions

When your app is ready for testing or publishing, use the CLI to build release files.

• Build APK

flutter build apk

• Build AAB (for Play Store)

flutter build appbundle

• Build for iOS

flutter build ios

• Build for Web

flutter build web

These commands generate optimized output that you can upload to the app stores.

 

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7. Manage Dependencies

Flutter uses the pub tool to handle packages.

• Get packages

flutter pub get

• Upgrade packages

flutter pub upgrade

• Add a package manually

Update pubspec.yaml, then run:

flutter pub get

 

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8. Clean and Rebuild Your Project

If you face build errors or unexpected behavior, cleaning the project often fixes the issue.

Command

flutter clean

Then run:

flutter pub get

This clears cache and rebuilds essential files.

 

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9. Analyze Your Code

To maintain code quality, use Flutter’s built-in analyzer.

Command

flutter analyze

What it does

• Checks for warnings and errors
• Highlights unused imports
• Suggests improvements

 

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10. Run Tests

Testing from the CLI is simple.

Command

flutter test

What it does

• Runs unit tests
• Shows results directly in the terminal

Automated testing ensures your app stays reliable as it grows.

 

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Final Thoughts

The Flutter CLI is a powerful tool that helps you work faster and more efficiently. From creating projects to building apps for production, these essential commands form the core of a smooth Flutter development workflow.

If you're building Flutter apps regularly, mastering these commands can save time, reduce errors, and make development much more enjoyable.