Quick install

Learn how to use any Code OSS-based editor, such as VS Code, to set up your Flutter development environment and test drive Flutter's developer experience.

If you've developed with Flutter before, or you prefer to use a different editor or IDE, you can follow the custom setup instructions instead.

The instructions on this page are configured to cover installing and trying out Flutter on a Windows device.

If you'd like to follow the instructions for a different OS, please select one of the following.

Windows

macOS

Linux

ChromeOS

For the smoothest Flutter setup, first install the following tools.

1. Set up Linux support

   If you haven't set up Linux support on your Chromebook before, Turn on Linux support.

   If you've already turned on Linux support, ensure it's up to date following the Fix problems with Linux instructions.

2. Download and install prerequisite packages

   Using apt-get or your preferred installation mechanism, install the latest versions of the following packages:

   • curl
   • git
   • unzip
   • xz-utils
   • zip
   • libglu1-mesa

   If you want to use apt-get, install these packages using the following commands:

   $ sudo apt-get update -y && sudo apt-get upgrade -y
   $ sudo apt-get install -y curl git unzip xz-utils zip libglu1-mesa
   

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3. Download and install Visual Studio Code

   To quickly install Flutter, then edit and debug your apps, install and set up Visual Studio Code.

   You can instead install and use any other Code OSS-based editor that supports VS Code extensions. If you choose to do so, for the rest of this article, assume VS Code refers to the editor of your choice.

1. Install git

   If you already have git installed, skip to the next step: Download and install Visual Studio Code.

   There are a few ways to install git on your Mac, but the way we recommend is by using XCode. This will be important when you target your builds for iOS or macOS.

   $ xcode-select --install
   

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   If you haven't installed the tools already, a dialog should open that confirms you'd like to install them. Click Install, then once the installation is complete, click Done.

2. Download and install Visual Studio Code

   To quickly install Flutter, then edit and debug your apps, install and set up Visual Studio Code.

   You can instead install and use any other Code OSS-based editor that supports VS Code extensions. If you choose to do so, for the rest of this article, assume VS Code refers to the editor of your choice.

1. Install Git for Windows

   Download and install the latest version of Git for Windows.

   For help installing or troubleshooting Git, reference the Git documentation.

2. Download and install Visual Studio Code

   To quickly install Flutter, then edit and debug your apps, install and set up Visual Studio Code.

   You can instead install and use any other Code OSS-based editor that supports VS Code extensions. If you choose to do so, for the rest of this article, assume VS Code refers to the editor of your choice.

1. Download and install prerequisite packages

   Using your preferred package manager or mechanism, install the latest versions of the following packages:

   • curl
   • git
   • unzip
   • xz-utils
   • zip
   • libglu1-mesa

   On Debian-based distros with apt-get, such as Ubuntu, install these packages using the following commands:

   $ sudo apt-get update -y && sudo apt-get upgrade -y
   $ sudo apt-get install -y curl git unzip xz-utils zip libglu1-mesa
   

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2. Download and install Visual Studio Code

   To quickly install Flutter, then edit and debug your apps, install and set up Visual Studio Code.

   You can instead install and use any other Code OSS-based editor that supports VS Code extensions. If you choose to do so, for the rest of this article, assume VS Code refers to the editor of your choice.

Now that you've installed Git and VS Code, follow these steps to use VS Code to install and set up Flutter.

1. Launch VS Code

   If not already open, open VS Code by searching for it with Spotlight or opening it manually from the directory where it's installed.

2. Add the Flutter extension to VS Code

   To add the Dart and Flutter extensions to VS Code, visit the Flutter extension's marketplace page, then click Install. If prompted by your browser, allow it to open VS Code.

3. Install Flutter with VS Code

   1. Open the command palette in VS Code.

      Go to View > Command Palette or press Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + P.

   2. In the command palette, type flutter.

   3. Select Flutter: New Project.

   4. VS Code prompts you to locate the Flutter SDK on your computer. Select Download SDK.

   5. When the Select Folder for Flutter SDK dialog displays, choose where you want to install Flutter.

   6. Click Clone Flutter.

      While downloading Flutter, VS Code displays this pop-up notification:

      Downloading the Flutter SDK. This may take a few minutes.
      

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      This download takes a few minutes. If you suspect that the download has hung, click Cancel then start the installation again.

   7. Click Add SDK to PATH.

      When successful, a notification displays:

      The Flutter SDK was added to your PATH
      

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   8. VS Code might display a Google Analytics notice.

      If you agree, click OK.

   9. To ensure that Flutter is available in all terminals:

      1. Close, then reopen all terminal windows.
      2. Restart VS Code.

4. Troubleshoot installation issues

   If you encounter any issues during installation, check out Flutter installation troubleshooting.

Installing the Flutter SDK automatically installs Dart as well. You can now start building Flutter apps!

If you're already familiar with programming, you can skip the Dart tutorial and jump straight into the first Flutter lesson.