Getting started with Rovo Dev CLI
Rovo Dev CLI brings Atlassian's AI development agent into the terminal. It is designed for developers who want code help, project understanding, documentation support, debugging assistance, and Atlassian workflow context without leaving the command line.
The most important update from the old version of this guide: check current access requirements before you start. Atlassian's documentation says Rovo Dev CLI requires Rovo Dev to be activated and an allocation of Rovo Dev credits. It is not something every free trial can automatically use.
What Rovo Dev CLI can help with
Rovo Dev CLI is useful for tasks like:
- explaining unfamiliar code
- creating or updating documentation
- planning code changes
- debugging a failing flow
- generating tests
- working with Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket, and related Atlassian context
It is best used as a coding assistant that can inspect and reason about your project. You still need to review changes before committing them.
Before you install
Check that you have:
- an Atlassian account
- access to a site where Rovo Dev is activated
- Rovo Dev credits available
- the latest Atlassian CLI installed or ready to install
If your account does not have the required Rovo Dev access, installation alone will not make the CLI usable.
Basic setup flow
Atlassian's official flow is:
- Install or update the Atlassian CLI.
- Create the API token Atlassian asks for during setup.
- Authenticate from your terminal.
- Start a Rovo Dev session.
- Use built-in commands to inspect usage and manage context.
Use the official install page for OS-specific commands, because CLI setup changes more often than a blog post should hardcode.
How to use it well
Start with narrow requests:
Explain the auth flow in this repository and point out the files involved.
Then move to a specific task:
Add a test for the expired-token branch. Show the files you plan to touch first.
That keeps the agent grounded and reduces wasted context.
Practical safety notes
Do not paste secrets into prompts. Review diffs before applying them. Keep large refactors separate from small bug fixes. If the agent makes a surprising change, stop and inspect before continuing.
Those habits matter no matter which coding agent you use.
Sources
- Atlassian Rovo Dev CLI docs: https://support.atlassian.com/rovo/docs/use-rovo-dev-cli/
- Install and run Rovo Dev CLI: https://support.atlassian.com/rovo/docs/install-and-run-rovo-dev-cli-on-your-device/
- Rovo Dev product page: https://www.atlassian.com/software/rovo-dev
