What do I need to use the Zeno CLI?

Node.js 18 or newer and a free account on zeno-innovations.com. The CLI works on Windows, macOS and Linux, in VS Code and in any terminal.

What's the difference between zeno and zeno --prod?

zeno creates a preview version of your website with its own link; your live site stays the same. zeno --prod puts the new version live at your-name.zeno-innovations.com right away.

Are my .env file and keys uploaded?

No. Files like .env and signing keys are never sent, nor are node_modules, .git and anything in .gitignore and .zenoignore. You set secret values as environment variables in the dashboard.

Can I deploy a Discord bot or server with the CLI too?

Yes. On the first deploy, the CLI asks whether it's a website or a server. Servers and bots run on the Pro plan.

Zeno CLI: deploy a website from your terminal

Install

You need Node.js 18 or newer. Then install the CLI with npm:

npm install -g https://zeno-innovations.com/dashboard/zeno-cli.tgz

Check that it worked with zeno --version. The CLI works on Windows, macOS and Linux.

Live in three steps

Log in once. Type zeno login. Your browser opens, you log in to your Zeno account and the CLI remembers it on this computer.
Go to your project folder. For example with cd my-website, or open the folder in VS Code and use the built-in terminal.
Go live. Type zeno --prod. The first time, the CLI asks for a project name and whether it's a website or a server. Then your site is online.

$ zeno --prod
▲ Zeno Innovations CLI
🔗 Linked to my-site  (12 files, 0.4 MB)
⏳ Building…
✅ Production: https://my-site.zeno-innovations.com  [4s]

The folder is linked to your project through a small .zeno folder (similar to .vercel), which is added to your .gitignore automatically. Next time, zeno --prod is all you need.

Preview first, then go live

Want to check a change first? Just type zeno. You get a preview link with the new version while your live site stays the same. Happy with it? zeno --prod puts it live. That way you can also send a new version to a client or friend first.

All commands

Command	What it does
`zeno --prod`	Put this folder live (production)
`zeno`	Create a preview of your website; production stays the same
`zeno login`	Log in through your browser
`zeno logout`	Log out on this computer
`zeno whoami`	Show which account you're logged in with
`zeno ls`	All your projects with their status and address
`zeno open`	Open this folder's project in the dashboard
`zeno link`	Link this folder to another (or new) project

Useful options: --yes (no questions, handy in scripts), --name <project>, --server or --website to choose the type, and --cwd <folder> to deploy a different folder.

Your secrets stay on your computer

The CLI only sends your code. Files listed in .gitignore or .zenoignore are skipped, as are node_modules, .git and secrets such as .env and signing keys. If your app needs an API key or bot token, set it as an environment variable in the dashboard.

Websites, bots and servers

The CLI detects whether your folder is a website or a server, and asks to be sure. Websites are built (if there's a build script) and served as files. Servers, such as a Node.js or Python app, an API or a Discord bot, are started and kept running. Servers are part of the Pro plan.

Your website online with one command