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Dedicated Server: Setup cURL on Linux

This guide was created with the following products:

(Details may vary with products from different providers but the main concepts remain the same)

Dedicated Server

Introduction​

cURL is both a free command-line tool and a software library (libcURL) for transferring data using URLs. It supports a wide range of protocols—including HTTP(S), FTP, SMTP, LDAP, MQTT, and more—and is commonly used for tasks such as downloading files, testing APIs, and automating network operations.

Considering about hosting this service yourself? We’ll walk you through every step on how to set it up and configure it, along with everything you need to keep in mind.

Preparation​

Before setting up the cURL, you need to prepare your system. This includes updating your operating system to the latest version. These preparations ensure a stable environment and help prevent issues during or after the installation.

Update System​

To make sure your system is running with the most recent software and security improvements, you should always perform system updates first. To do this, run the following command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

This ensures that your system has the latest security patches and software versions before proceeding.

Installation​

Now that the necessary preparations have been completed, you can proceed with the installation of the cURL application. To do so, execute the following command:

sudo apt install curl  -y

Configuration​

cURL does not require traditional configuration but can be customized through a configuration file. This file allows you to define default options that will be applied automatically with every execution. Common examples include:

  • --user-agent "MyAgent/1.0" to specify a custom user agent
  • --silent to suppress progress bars or extra output
  • --insecure to disable SSL certificate checks (only recommended for testing)
  • --header "Authorization: Bearer <TOKEN>" for API authentication

In addition, environment variables like HTTP_PROXY or HTTPS_PROXY can be set to route cURL requests through a proxy server. This setup makes cURL more efficient for repetitive tasks by avoiding the need to retype long command options every time.

Conclusion and more Resources​

Congratulations! You have now successfully installed and configured cURL on your Dedicated Server. We also recommend taking a look at the following resources, which could provide you with additional help and guidance during your server configuration process

Got specific questions that aren't covered here? For further questions or assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact our support team, which is available daily to assist you! 🙂