From install to your first answer.

Install Cheep

You need Go 1.26.6 or newer. Cheep builds a native executable for macOS, Linux, or Windows. Prebuilt binaries and Homebrew follow the first tagged release.

go install github.com/turushan/cheep/cmd/cheep@latest
cheep version

If your shell cannot find cheep, add Go’s binary directory to your PATH. It is $(go env GOPATH)/bin by default, or the directory set in GOBIN.

Connect the sandbox

Create an account in the Namecheap sandbox, enable API access, and whitelist your public IPv4. Sandbox and production have separate accounts, API keys, and IP allowlists.

cheep --environment sandbox auth configure sandbox \
  --api-user YOUR_SANDBOX_USER \
  --client-ip YOUR_PUBLIC_IPV4 \
  --default
cheep --profile sandbox auth set-key

The key prompt is hidden. Cheep stores the key in your operating system’s credential manager. Use the authentication guide for production profiles and headless setup.

Your first check

cheep doctor
cheep domains check paperkite.dev paperkite.com

doctor verifies API access. The domain check returns a readable table. These example names are illustrative; Namecheap supplies the live availability.

DOMAIN          AVAILABLE  PREMIUM
paperkite.dev   yes        no
paperkite.com   no         no

Everyday commands

Keep going

• Plan, apply, and restore DNS with pre-change snapshots.
• Call the full Namecheap API, including registration, renewal, SSL, and transfers.
• Use Cheep in scripts and AI agents with stable JSON and explicit safety controls.
• Read the safety contract before changing remote state or spending account funds.