---
title: CLI overview
description: ktm is the Kapptivate command-line interface for running tests in CI, managing resources, and querying the platform from your terminal.
sidebarTitle: Overview
lastUpdated: "2026-09-23"
---

> **For AI agents:** the complete documentation index is at [llms.txt](/llms.txt). Append `.md` to any page URL for its markdown version.

`ktm` is the Kapptivate command-line interface. It runs tests in CI/CD pipelines, manages tests, monitors, variables, and collections, and queries the platform API, all from your terminal. Every command returns JSON by default, so it composes cleanly with `jq` and scripts.

## Highlights

- JSON-first output, with table and plain (TSV) formats when you want them
- A single self-contained binary, no runtime dependencies
- Built for CI: stable exit codes, JUnit XML, and native GitHub Actions annotations
- The same API key as the MCP server and the web app

## A quick taste

```bash
# Discover what you can access
ktm operators list
ktm products list --operator my-operator

# List tests for a product, as a table
ktm tests list --operator my-operator --product my-operator~my-product -o table
```

## Authentication

`ktm` reads your API key from the `KAPPTIVATE_API_KEY` environment variable. Every command except local validation needs it. See [Configuration](/cli/configuration) for the details.

## What's next?

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card title="Installation" icon="download" href="/cli/installation">
    Get the binary onto your PATH and authenticate.
  </Card>
  <Card title="Get started" icon="rocket" href="/cli/getting-started">
    A five-minute tour: discover, list, and run.
  </Card>
  <Card title="Command reference" icon="terminal" href="/cli/commands/overview">
    Every command, flag, and argument.
  </Card>
  <Card title="CI/CD" icon="gear" href="/cli/ci-cd">
    Run tests from your pipeline.
  </Card>
</Columns>