Commands

Command syntax, options, and examples for using dvm.

Run dvm --help for the command list or dvm <command> --help for options. Version arguments may be exact versions, channels, or aliases unless noted below.

dvm install#

dvm install 3.9.0
dvm install stable

Download an SDK without changing a project pin or default. SDKs are shared across projects under ~/.dvm/versions, or $DVM_HOME/versions.

Use -f / --force to reinstall. Channels (stable, beta, dev) select the latest release and remember its version locally.

dvm use#

dvm use 3.9.0 --gitignore

Install if needed, save the exact version in the nearest .dvmrc, and create .dvm/dart_sdk for your editor. If no pin exists, create one in the current directory.

Option	Effect
`--here`	Pin the current directory even if a parent has a `.dvmrc`.
`--gitignore`	Add `.dvm/` to `.gitignore` beside the pin.
`-g`, `--global`	Set the default instead of a project pin.

Install a channel before using its name: dvm install stable, then dvm use stable. See Managing versions.

dvm global#

dvm global 3.9.0
dvm global

Set the default for directories without a project pin, or show the current default. Installs the SDK if needed and saves an exact version. Install a channel before using its name.

dvm list#

dvm list

List installed SDKs. dvm ls is equivalent. * marks the selected SDK; labels show project, default, alias, and channel references.

dvm list-remote#

dvm list-remote
dvm list-remote --channel beta --all

List available releases, newest first. Requires an internet connection.

-c / --channel: stable (default), beta, or dev.
--all: show all releases instead of the newest 25.

dvm remove#

dvm remove 3.9.0

Delete an SDK. Removal is blocked if the global default or an alias refers to it; change those references first or pass -f / --force.

Project pins do not block removal. Projects needing that version will fail until you reinstall it or select another version. dvm warns about the current project's pin; it does not search all repositories.

An alias argument deletes the SDK it names. To delete only the name, use dvm unalias.

dvm alias#

dvm alias work 3.9.0
dvm alias list

Create or change a local name, or list aliases and recorded channel versions. Plain dvm alias also lists them. Creating an alias does not install an SDK.

Names cannot be channel names, list, version-like names, start with -, or contain whitespace or path separators. Aliases may refer to other aliases or channels, but loops and chains longer than eight hops are rejected.

dvm unalias#

dvm unalias work

Remove a name and keep its SDK. Update any hand-written pin or alias that still uses the removed name. Exact version pins created by dvm use work remain usable.

dvm which#

dvm which
dvm which --path

Show the Dart executable, SDK directory, and reason for selection. dvm current is equivalent. Use --path to print only the absolute executable path for another tool.

dvm dart#

dvm dart --version
dvm dart pub get
dvm dart test

Run Dart using the selected SDK without needing the Dart shim on PATH. Install the required SDK first. Arguments after dart go to Dart, and its exit code is returned.

dvm dart --version reports Dart's version; dvm --version reports dvm's version.

dvm exec#

dvm exec dart test
dvm exec ./tool/build.sh

Run a program with the selected SDK first on PATH. Dart commands started by that program use the same SDK. Install the SDK and the program first.

Arguments after exec go to the program. A leading -- separator is accepted by both exec and dart. The program's exit code is returned; 127 means the program could not be found.

dvm setup#

dvm setup --write-path-line

Create the Dart shim and configure PATH. Open a new terminal afterward.

Option	Effect
No options	Create the shim and print manual PATH instructions.
`--write-path-line`	Back up and update the shell startup file. Not available for PowerShell.
`--remove-path-line`	Remove dvm's automatic PATH block, keeping shims and manually added lines.
`--dvm-path <path>`	Select the dvm executable the shim should launch.

Re-run setup if you move the executable. See Getting started for shell-specific instructions.

dvm doctor#

dvm doctor

Check PATH, shims, shell conflicts, settings, and the current project's SDK link. Follow the reported fixes, or see Troubleshooting.

dvm migrate#

dvm migrate --dry-run
dvm migrate

Import SDKs from cbracken/dvm without downloading them again. Versions already installed in the destination are skipped.

--dry-run: preview SDK moves and files eligible for cleanup.
--clean: remove the old tool's scripts/, environments/, and .git/ after migration; asks for confirmation.
-y / --yes: answer yes to confirmation prompts.

Follow migration steps to remove the old shell setup first.

dvm update#

dvm update
dvm update --check

Update dvm itself to the newest available release, or check without installing. SDKs, project pins, and settings are kept.

Use dvm update <version> to choose a specific dvm release, including an older one. To change a project's Dart SDK, use dvm use.

If the updater cannot run, repeat the installation steps. Re-run dvm setup if you move the executable.

dvm config#

dvm config color always
dvm config color

Save or show the color preference. Use auto (default) for terminal detection, always to force color, or never to disable it. In auto mode, NO_COLOR and TERM=dumb disable color.

Settings live in ~/.dvm/config.json, or $DVM_HOME/config.json. These options control dvm output; programs it launches manage their own colors.

Global options#

Put global options before the subcommand:

dvm --no-version-check exec dart test
dvm --verbose doctor
dvm --color=never list

Option	Effect
`--no-version-check`	Skip update checks and notices for this command.
`-v`, `--verbose`	Print diagnostic details to stderr.
`--color=<mode>`	Use `auto` , `always` , or `never` to override the saved color preference for this command.
`--version`	Show the dvm version.
`-h`, `--help`	Show help.