The goal of setting up is a stack executable file on the PATH. When Stack is
used, it sets other things up as needed.
*[PATH]: An environment variable that specifies a list of directories searched for executable files.
??? question "How do I know if Stack is on the PATH?"
Command `stack`. If Stack is available, that should output information about
how to use it.
??? question "How do I find where Stack is located?"
=== "Unix-like"
Command `which -a stack`.
=== "Windows"
Command `where.exe stack`.
??? question "How do I find what version of Stack is available?"
Command `stack --version` or `stack --numeric-version`.
??? question "If I don't use GHCup, is there a preferred location for Stack?"
You can put the `stack` executable file anywhere on your PATH. However, a
good location is the directory where Stack itself will install executables.
That location depends on the operating system:
=== "Unix-like"
Stack installs executables to:
~~~text
$HOME/.local/bin
~~~
If you don't have that directory in your PATH, you may need to update
your PATH. That can be done by editing the `~/.bashrc` file.
=== "Windows"
Stack installs executables to:
~~~text
$Env:APPDATA\local\bin
~~~
For example: `C:\Users\<user-name>\AppData\Roaming\local\bin`.
If you don't have that directory in your PATH, you may need to update
your PATH. That can be done by searching for 'Edit Environment variables
for your account' under Start.
=== "Windows (Command Prompt)"
Stack installs executables to:
~~~text
%APPDATA%\local\bin
~~~
For example: `C:\Users\<user-name>\AppData\Roaming\local\bin`.
If you don't have that directory in your PATH, you may need to update
your PATH. That can be done by searching for 'Edit Environment variables
for your account' under Start.
!!! note
If you used GHCup to install Stack, GHCup puts executable files in the
`bin` directory in the GHCup root directory.
To get and use Stack, some other things need to be in place first:
-
:material-laptop:{ .lg .middle } A computer
Stack will need at least about 5 GB of disk space1. It will help to know what platform your computer provides.
*[platform]: Machine architecture (eg x86_64, AArch64) and operating system (eg Linux distribution, macOS, Windows).
-
:material-wifi:{ .lg .middle } Access to the Internet
Stack will need to fetch files from remote locations.
-
:octicons-terminal-24:{ .lg .middle } Terminal software
Stack is used at the command line. Your operating system likely provides terminal software and alternatives may be available.
-
:material-text-box-edit-outline:{ .lg .middle } A code editor
You can use any editor program that can edit text files but code editors with extensions for Haskell code files are recommended.
Stack can be installed on most Linux distributions, macOS and Windows.
??? question "What about other operating systems?"
Stack is open to supporting more operating systems. To request support for
an operating system, please submit an
[issue](https://github.com/commercialhaskell/stack/issues/new) at Stack's
GitHub repository.
Stack can be installed directly or by using the GHCup tool.
=== "Directly"
Stack can be installed on various operating systems.
??? question "Where can binary distributions for Stack be found?"
Stack executables are available on the
[releases](https://github.com/commercialhaskell/stack/releases) page of
Stack's GitHub repository.
URLs with the format
`https://get.haskellstack.org/stable/<PLATFORM>.<EXTENSION>` point to
the latest stable release. The manual download links use those URLs.
??? question "Does the `sh` installation script have flags and options?"
The `sh` installation script recognises the following optional flags and
options: `-q` suppresses output and specifies non-intervention (likely a
prerequisite for the use of the script in CI environments); `-f` forces
installation, even if an existing Stack executable is detected; and
`-d <directory>` specifies a destination directory for the Stack
executable.
=== "Linux"
For most Linux distributions, on x86_64 or AArch64 machine
architectures, the easiest way to install Stack is to command either:
~~~text
curl -sSL https://get.haskellstack.org/ | sh
~~~
or:
~~~text
wget -qO- https://get.haskellstack.org/ | sh
~~~
These commands download a script file and run it using `sh`.
??? question "Will the installation script need root access?"
The script at [get.haskellstack.org](https://get.haskellstack.org/)
will ask for root access using `sudo`. It needs such access in order
to use your platform's package manager to install dependencies and
to install to `/usr/local/bin`. If you prefer more control, follow
the manual installation instructions for your platform below.
??? question "Can I download Stack manually?"
Yes. Manual download for Linux distributions depends on your machine
architecture, x86_64 or AArch64/ARM64.
=== "x86_64"
* Click
[:material-cloud-download-outline:](https://get.haskellstack.org/stable/linux-x86_64.tar.gz)
to download an archive file with the latest release.
* Extract the archive and place the `stack` executable file
somewhere on your PATH.
* Ensure you have the required system dependencies installed.
These include GCC, GNU Make, xz, perl, libgmp, libffi, and
zlib. We also recommend Git and GPG.
The installation of system dependencies will depend on the
package manager for your Linux distribution. Notes are provided
for Arch Linux, CentOS, Debian, Fedora, Gentoo and Ubuntu.
=== "Arch Linux"
~~~text
sudo pacman -S make gcc ncurses git gnupg xz zlib gmp libffi zlib
~~~
=== "CentOS"
~~~text
sudo yum install perl make automake gcc gmp-devel libffi zlib zlib-devel xz tar git gnupg
~~~
=== "Debian"
~~~text
sudo apt-get install g++ gcc libc6-dev libffi-dev libgmp-dev make xz-utils zlib1g-dev git gnupg netbase
~~~
=== "Fedora"
~~~text
sudo dnf install perl make automake gcc gmp-devel libffi zlib zlib-devel xz tar git gnupg
~~~
=== "Gentoo"
Ensure you have the `ncurses` package with `USE=tinfo`. Without
it, Stack will not be able to install GHC.
=== "Ubuntu"
~~~text
sudo apt-get install g++ gcc libc6-dev libffi-dev libgmp-dev make xz-utils zlib1g-dev git gnupg netbase
~~~
=== "AArch64"
* Click
[:material-cloud-download-outline:](https://get.haskellstack.org/stable/linux-aarch64.tar.gz)
to download an archive file with the latest release.
* Extract the archive and place the `stack` executable file
somewhere on your PATH.
* Ensure you have the required system dependencies installed.
These include GCC, GNU Make, xz, perl, libgmp, libffi, and
zlib. We also recommend Git and GPG.
The installation of system dependencies will depend on the
package manager for your Linux distribution. Notes are provided
for Arch Linux, CentOS, Debian, Fedora, Gentoo and Ubuntu.
=== "Arch Linux"
~~~text
sudo pacman -S make gcc ncurses git gnupg xz zlib gmp libffi zlib
~~~
=== "CentOS"
~~~text
sudo yum install perl make automake gcc gmp-devel libffi zlib zlib-devel xz tar git gnupg
~~~
=== "Debian"
~~~text
sudo apt-get install g++ gcc libc6-dev libffi-dev libgmp-dev make xz-utils zlib1g-dev git gnupg netbase
~~~
=== "Fedora"
~~~text
sudo dnf install perl make automake gcc gmp-devel libffi zlib zlib-devel xz tar git gnupg
~~~
=== "Gentoo"
Ensure you have the `ncurses` package with `USE=tinfo`. Without it,
Stack will not be able to install GHC.
=== "Ubuntu"
~~~text
sudo apt-get install g++ gcc libc6-dev libffi-dev libgmp-dev make xz-utils zlib1g-dev git gnupg netbase
~~~
??? question "Can I use a Linux package to get Stack?"
Some Linux distributions have official or unofficial packages for
Stack, including Arch Linux, Debian, Fedora, NixOS, openSUSE/SUSE
Linux Enterprise, and Ubuntu. However, the Stack version available
as a Linux package may lag behind Stack's current version and, in
some cases, the lag may be significant.
!!! info "Linux packages that lag behind Stack's current version"
If Stack version available as a Linux package lags behind
Stack's current version, using `stack upgrade --binary-only` is
recommended after installing it.
=== "Arch Linux"
The Arch extra package repository provides an official x86_64
[package](https://www.archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/stack/).
You can install it with the command:
~~~text
sudo pacman -S stack
~~~
The Arch User Repository (AUR) also provides:
* a [`stack-bin` package](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/stack-bin);
and
* a [`stack-static` package](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/stack-static)
=== "Debian"
There are Debian
[packages](https://packages.debian.org/search?keywords=haskell-stack&searchon=names&suite=all§ion=all)
for Buster and up. However, the distribution's Stack version
lags behind.
=== "Fedora"
Fedora includes Stack, but its Stack version may lag behind.
=== "NixOS"
Users who follow the `nixos-unstable` channel or the Nixpkgs
`master` branch can install the latest Stack release into their
profile with the command:
~~~text
nix-env -f "<nixpkgs>" -iA stack
~~~
Alternatively, the package can be built from source as follows.
1. Clone the git repo, with the command:
~~~text
git clone https://github.com/commercialhaskell/stack.git
~~~
2. Create a `shell.nix` file with the command:
~~~text
cabal2nix --shell ./. --no-check --no-haddock > shell.nix
~~~
Note that the tests fail on NixOS, so disable them with
`--no-check`. Also, Haddock currently doesn't work for
Stack, so `--no-haddock` disables it.
3. Install Stack to your user profile with the command:
~~~text
nix-env -i -f shell.nix
~~~
For more information on using Stack together with Nix, please
see the
[NixOS manual section on Stack](http://nixos.org/nixpkgs/manual/#how-to-build-a-haskell-project-using-stack).
=== "SUSE"
There is also an unofficial package for openSUSE or SUSE Linux
Enterprise. Its Stack version may lag behind. To install it:
=== "openSUSE Tumbleweed"
~~~text
sudo zypper in stack
~~~
=== "openSUSE Leap"
~~~text
sudo zypper ar http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/devel:/languages:/haskell/openSUSE_Leap_42.1/devel:languages:haskell.repo
sudo zypper in stack
~~~
=== "SUSE Linux Enterprise 12"
~~~text
sudo zypper ar http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/devel:/languages:/haskell/SLE_12/devel:languages:haskell.repo
sudo zypper in stack
~~~
=== "Ubuntu"
There are Ubuntu
[packages](http://packages.ubuntu.com/search?keywords=haskell-stack&searchon=names&suite=all§ion=all)
for Ubuntu 20.04 and up.
??? question "Can I set up auto-completion of Stack commands?"
Yes. For further information, see the
[shell auto-completion](topics/shell_autocompletion.md)
documentation.
=== "macOS"
Most users of Stack on macOS will also have up to date tools for
software development.
??? question "What if I am not sure that I have those tools?"
macOS does not come with all the tools required for software
development but a collection of useful tools, known as the Xcode
Command Line Tools, is readily available. A version of that
collection is provided with each version of Xcode (Apple’s
integrated development environment) and can also be obtained from
Apple separately from Xcode. The collection also includes the macOS
SDK (software development kit). The macOS SDK provides header files
for macOS APIs.
If you use a command that refers to a common Xcode Command Line Tool
and the Xcode Command Line Tools are not installed, macOS may prompt
you to install the tools.
macOS also comes with a command line tool, `xcode-select`, that can
be used to obtain the Xcode Command Line Tools. Command
`xcode-select --print-path` to print the path to the currently
selected (active) developer directory. If the directory does not
exist, or is empty, then the Xcode Command Line Tools are not
installed.
If the Xcode Command Line Tools are not installed, command
`xcode-select --install` to open a user interface dialog to request
automatic installation of the tools.
An upgrade of macOS may sometimes require the existing Xcode Command
Line Tools to be uninstalled and an updated version of the tools to
be installed. The existing tools can be uninstalled by deleting the
directory reported by `xcode-select --print-path`.
If, after the installation of Stack, running `stack setup` fails
with:
~~~text
configure: error: cannot run C compiled programs.
~~~
that indicates that the Xcode Command Line Tools are not installed.
If building fails with messages that `*.h` files are not found, that
may also indicate that Xcode Command Line Tools are not up to date.
Xcode 10 provided an SDK for macOS 10.14 (Mojave) and
[changed the location](https://developer.apple.com/documentation/xcode-release-notes/xcode-10-release-notes#Command-Line-Tools)
of the macOS system headers. As a workaround, an extra package was
provided by Apple which installed the headers to the base system
under `/usr/include`.
??? question "What versions of the LLVM compiler and toolchain are supported?"
The documentation for each version of GHC identifies the versions of
LLVM that are supported. That is summarised in the table below for
recent versions of GHC:
|GHC version|LLVM versions|
|-----------|-------------|
|9.8.2 |11 to 15 |
|9.6.6 |11 to 15 |
|9.4.8 |10 to 14 |
|9.2.8 |9 to 12 |
|9.0.2 |9, 10 or 12 |
|8.10.7 |9 to 12 |
|8.8.4 |7 |
|8.6.5 |6 |
|8.4.4 |5 |
From late 2020, Apple began a transition from Mac computers with Intel
processors (Intel-based Mac) to
[Mac computers with Apple silicon](https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT211814).
=== "Intel-based"
Intel-based Mac computers have processors with x86_64 architectures.
For most Intel-based Mac computers, the easiest way to install Stack
is to command either:
~~~text
curl -sSL https://get.haskellstack.org/ | sh
~~~
or:
~~~text
wget -qO- https://get.haskellstack.org/ | sh
~~~
These commands download a script file and run it using `sh`.
??? question "Will the installation script need root access?"
The script at
[get.haskellstack.org](https://get.haskellstack.org/)
will ask for root access using `sudo`. It needs such access in
order to use your platform's package manager to install
dependencies and to install to `/usr/local/bin`. If you prefer
more control, follow the manual installation instructions below.
??? question "Can I download Stack manually?"
Yes:
* Click
[:material-cloud-download-outline:](https://get.haskellstack.org/stable/osx-x86_64.tar.gz)
to download an archive file with the latest release for x86_64
architectures.
* Extract the archive and place `stack` somewhere on your PATH.
Now you can run Stack from the command line in a terminal.
=== "Apple silicon"
Mac computers with Apple silicon have an M series chip. These chips
use an architecture known as ARM64 or AArch64.
For Mac computers with Apple silicon, the easiest way to install
Stack is to command either:
~~~text
curl -sSL https://get.haskellstack.org/ | sh
~~~
or:
~~~text
wget -qO- https://get.haskellstack.org/ | sh
~~~
These commands download a script file and run it using `sh`.
??? question "Will the installation script need root access?"
The script at
[get.haskellstack.org](https://get.haskellstack.org/)
will ask for root access using `sudo`. It needs such access in
order to use your platform's package manager to install
dependencies and to install to `/usr/local/bin`. If you prefer
more control, follow the manual installation instructions below.
??? question "What if I get error `C compiler cannot build executables`?"
The installation of Stack or some packages (e.g. `network`)
requiring C source compilation might fail with:
~~~text
configure: error: C compiler cannot build executables
~~~
In that case you should pass `-arch arm64` as part of the
`CFLAGS` environment variable. This setting will be picked up by
the C compiler of your choice.
~~~bash
# Assuming BASH below
# passing CFLAGS in-line with the command giving rise to the error
CFLAGS="-arch arm64 ${CFLAGS:-}" some_command_to_install_stack
CFLAGS="-arch arm64 ${CFLAGS:-}" stack [build|install]
# -- OR --
# ~/.bash_profile
# NOTE: only do this if you do not have to cross-compile, or remember to unset
# CFLAGS when needed
export CFLAGS="-arch arm64 ${CFLAGS:-}"
~~~
The setting instructs the C compiler to compile objects for
ARM64. These can then be linked with libraries built for ARM64.
Without the instruction, the C compiler, invoked by Cabal
running in x86-64, would compile x86-64 objects and attempt to
link them with existing ARM64 libraries, resulting in the error
above.
??? question "Can I download Stack manually?"
Yes:
* Click
[:material-cloud-download-outline:](https://get.haskellstack.org/stable/osx-aarch64.tar.gz)
to download an archive file with the latest release for
AArch64 architectures.
* Extract the archive and place `stack` somewhere on your PATH.
Now you can run Stack from the command line in a terminal.
??? question "Can I use the Homebrew package manager to get Stack?"
[Homebrew](https://brew.sh/) is a popular package manager for macOS.
If you have its `brew` tool installed, you can just command:
~~~text
brew install haskell-stack
~~~
* The Homebrew formula and bottles are **unofficial** and lag
slightly behind new Stack releases, but tend to be updated within
a day or two.
* Normally, Homebrew will install from a pre-built binary (aka "pour
from a bottle"), but if it starts trying to build everything from
source (which will take hours), see
[their FAQ on the topic](https://github.com/Homebrew/brew/blob/master/docs/FAQ.md#why-do-you-compile-everything).
??? question "Can I set up auto-completion of Stack commands?"
Yes. For further information, see the
[shell auto-completion](topics/shell_autocompletion.md)
documentation.
=== "Windows"
Most computers using Windows have a x86_64 machine architecture. More
recently, Microsoft has provided Windows on Arm that runs on other
processors.
=== "x86_64"
On 64-bit Windows, the easiest way to install Stack is to download
and use the
[Windows installer](https://get.haskellstack.org/stable/windows-x86_64-installer.exe).
!!! info "Stack root"
By default, the Windows installer will set the
[Stack root](topics/stack_root.md) by setting the `STACK_ROOT`
environment variable to `C:\sr`.
!!! note "Anti-virus software"
Systems with antivirus software may need to add Stack to the
list of 'trusted' applications.
You may see a "Windows Defender SmartScreen prevented an
unrecognized app from starting" warning when you try to run the
installer. If so, click on **More info**, and then click on the
**Run anyway** button that appears.
??? warning "I have a Windows username with a space in it"
GHC 9.4.1 and later have a bug which means they do not work if
the path to the `ghc` executable has a space character in it.
The default location for Stack's 'programs' directory will have
a space in the path if the value of the `USERNAME` environment
variable includes a space.
A solution is to configure Stack to use a different location for
its 'programs' directory. For further information, see the
[`local-programs-path`](configure/yaml/non-project.md#local-programs-path)
non-project specific configuration option documentation.
??? warning "Stack 2.9.1, 2.9.3 and 2.11.1: Long user PATH environment variable"
The Windows installer for Stack 2.9.1, 2.9.3 and 2.11.1 (only)
will replace the user `PATH` environment variable (rather than
append to it) if a 1024 character limit is exceeded. If the
content of your existing user `PATH` is long, preserve it before
running the installer.
We recommend installing to the default location with the installer,
as that will make `stack install` and `stack upgrade` work correctly
out of the box.
??? question "Can I download Stack manually?"
Yes:
* Click
[:material-cloud-download-outline:](https://get.haskellstack.org/stable/windows-x86_64.zip)
to download an archive file with the latest release.
* Unpack the archive and place `stack.exe` somewhere on your
PATH.
Now you can run Stack from the command line in a terminal.
=== "Windows on Arm"
The GHC project does not yet provide a version of GHC that runs on
Windows on Arm.
??? note "China-based users: download"
As of 24 February 2020, the download link has limited connectivity from
within mainland China. If you experience this, please proceed by
manually downloading (ideally via a VPN) and installing Stack following
the instructions on this page that apply to your operating system.
=== "GHCup"
The separate [GHCup](https://www.haskell.org/ghcup/) project provides a tool
that can be used to install Stack and other Haskell-related tools, including
GHC and
[Haskell Language Server](https://github.com/haskell/haskell-language-server)
(HLS). HLS is a program that is used by Haskell extensions for popular code
editors.
GHCup provides Stack for some combinations of machine architecture and
operating system not provided elsewhere.
By default, the script to install GHCup (which can be run more than once)
also configures Stack so that if Stack needs a version of GHC, GHCup takes
over obtaining and installing that version.
??? note "China-based users: configuration"
After installation, Stack will need to be configured before it can download
large files consistently from within China (without reliance on a VPN).
Please add the following to the bottom of the
[global configuration file](configure/yaml/index.md) (`config.yaml`):
~~~yaml
###ADD THIS IF YOU LIVE IN CHINA
setup-info-locations:
- "http://mirrors.tuna.tsinghua.edu.cn/stackage/stack-setup.yaml"
urls:
latest-snapshot: http://mirrors.tuna.tsinghua.edu.cn/stackage/snapshots.json
package-index:
- download-prefix: http://mirrors.tuna.tsinghua.edu.cn/hackage/
~~~
??? question "What if I am using an HTTP proxy?"
To use Stack behind a HTTP proxy with IP address *IP* and port *PORT*, first
set up an environment variable `http_proxy` and then run the Stack command.
For example:
=== "Unix-like"
~~~text
export http_proxy=IP:PORT
stack install
~~~
On most operating systems, it is not mandatory for programs to follow
the 'system-wide' HTTP proxy. Some programs, such as browsers, do honor
this 'system-wide' HTTP proxy setting, while other programs, including
Bash, do not. That means configuring 'http proxy setting' in your System
Preferences (macOS) would not result in Stack traffic going through the
proxy.
=== "Windows"
~~~text
$Env:http_proxy=IP:PORT
stack install
~~~
It is not mandatory for programs to follow the 'system-wide' HTTP proxy.
Some programs, such as browsers, do honor this 'system-wide' HTTP proxy
setting, while other programs do not. That means configuring
'http proxy setting' in your Control Panel would not result in Stack
traffic going through the proxy.
=== "Windows (Command Prompt)"
~~~text
set http_proxy=IP:PORT
stack install
~~~
It is not mandatory for programs to follow the 'system-wide' HTTP proxy.
Some programs, such as browsers, do honor this 'system-wide' HTTP proxy
setting, while other programs do not. That means configuring
'http proxy setting' in your Control Panel would not result in Stack
traffic going through the proxy.
The Stack project recommends the use of the latest released version of Stack.
If Stack is already installed, upgrading it depends on whether you are using Stack or GHCup to manage versions of Stack.
=== "Stack"
??? warning "If you use GHCup to manage versions of Stack, use it consistently"
If you used GHCup to install Stack, you should also use GHCup to upgrade
Stack.
GHCup uses an executable named `stack` to manage versions of Stack,
through a file `stack.shim`. Stack will likely overwrite the executable
on upgrade.
There are different approaches to upgrading Stack, which vary as between
Unix-like operating systems (including macOS) and Windows.
=== "Unix-like"
There are essentially four different approaches:
<div class="grid cards" markdown>
- __Use the `stack upgrade` command__
---
For further information, see the
[`stack upgrade`](commands/upgrade_command.md) documentation.
- __Manual download__
---
Follow the steps above to download manually the newest executable
and replace the old executable.
- __Use the `sh` installation script__
---
Use the `get.haskellstack.org` script with its `-f` flag to
overwrite the current Stack executable. For example, command
either:
~~~text
curl -sSL https://get.haskellstack.org/ | sh -s - -f
~~~
or:
~~~text
wget -qO- https://get.haskellstack.org/ | sh -s - -f
~~~
- __Use a package manager__
---
Follow your normal package manager approach to upgrading. For
example:
~~~text
apt-get update
apt-get upgrade
~~~
Be aware that officially released binaries from the distribution may
lag behind the latest version of Stack significantly.
</div>
=== "Windows"
There are essentially two different approaches:
<div class="grid cards" markdown>
- __Use the `stack upgrade` command__
---
For further information, see the
[`stack upgrade`](commands/upgrade_command.md) documentation.
- __Manual download__
---
Follow the steps above to download manually the newest executable
and replace the old executable.
</div>
=== "GHCup"
The separate [GHCup](https://www.haskell.org/ghcup/) project provides
guidance about how to use GHCup to manage versions of tools such as Stack.
Footnotes
-
About 3 GB for a single version of GHC and about 2 GB for a local copy of the Hackage package index. ↩