Install Dart/Flutter
atproto.dart requires Dart 3.8+ or Flutter 3.32+ to take advantage of modern language features like null safety and pattern matching. If you're building mobile, web, or desktop apps, Flutter provides the complete toolkit. For server-side applications or command-line tools, Dart alone is sufficient.
Prerequisites​
Before installing atproto.dart packages, ensure you have either:
- Dart 3.8+ for server-side or CLI applications
- Flutter 3.32+ for cross-platform app development
Quick Setup​
Option 1: Install Flutter (Recommended)​
Flutter includes Dart and provides the most comprehensive development experience:
macOS/Linux:
brew install --cask flutter
Windows: Download the Flutter SDK from flutter.dev and follow the installation guide.
Option 2: Install Dart Only​
For server-side or CLI applications:
macOS/Linux:
brew tap dart-lang/dart
brew install dart
Windows: Download from dart.dev or use Chocolatey:
choco install dart-sdk
Verify Installation​
After installation, verify everything is working correctly:
flutter --version
You should see output similar to:
Flutter 3.32.8 • channel stable • https://github.com/flutter/flutter.git
Framework • revision edada7c56e (3 weeks ago) • 2025-07-25 14:08:03 +0000
Engine • revision ef0cd00091 (3 weeks ago) • 2025-07-24 12:23:50 -0700
Tools • Dart 3.8.1 • DevTools 2.45.1
For Dart-only installations:
dart --version
You should see output similar to:
Dart SDK version: 3.8.1 (stable) (Wed May 28 00:47:25 2025 -0700) on "macos_arm64"
IDE Setup (Optional)​
For the best development experience, configure your IDE:
- VS Code: Install the Dart and Flutter extensions
- IntelliJ/Android Studio: Install the Dart and Flutter plugins
- Vim/Neovim: Use the dart-vim-plugin
Next Steps​
With Dart/Flutter installed, you're ready to:
- Install atproto.dart packages
- Build your first AT Protocol application
Additional Resources​
- Dart Language Tour - Learn Dart fundamentals
- Flutter Documentation - Complete Flutter guide
- Effective Dart - Best practices and style guide