Skip to main content

cURL Cheat Sheet 2026 — Quick CLI Command Reference

3 min read

cURL Cheat Sheet 2026 — Quick Command Reference

cURL Cheat Sheet is the complete quick-reference of cURL commands grouped by function. Copy any command with one click and find what you need with Ctrl+F in under 3 seconds.

cURL Requests & Options

Action Command Useful flags
Make an HTTP GET request and dump the contents in `stdout` 
curl <https://example.com>
Make an HTTP GET request, follow any `3xx` redirects, and dump the reply headers 
curl --location --dump-header - <https://example.com>
 --location --dump-header
Download a file, saving the output under the filename indicated by the URL 
curl --remote-name <https://example.com/filename.zip>
 --remote-name
Send form-encoded data (POST request of type `application/x-www-form-urlencoded` 
curl --request POST --data '<name=bob>' <http://example.com/form>
 --request --data
Send a request with an extra header, using a custom HTTP method and over a proxy 
curl --insecure --proxy <http://127.0.0.1:8080> --header '<Authorization: Bearer token>' --request <GET|PUT|POST|DELETE|PATCH|...> <https://example.com>
 --insecure --proxy --header --request
Send data in JSON format, specifying the appropriate Content-Type header 
curl --data '<{"name":"bob">}' --header '<Content-Type: application/json>' <http://example.com/users/1234>
 --data --header
Pass client certificate and private key for the request, skipping certificate va 
curl --cert <client.pem> --key <key.pem> --insecure <https://example.com>
 --cert --key --insecure
Resolve a hostname to a custom IP address, with verbose output (similar to editi 
curl --verbose --resolve <example.com>:<80>:<127.0.0.1> <http://example.com>
 --verbose --resolve

⚠️ Dangerous / Destructive Commands

These commands are irreversible. Verify your environment (dev/staging vs prod) before running them.

Action Command Warning
⚠️ Run 
curl --insecure --proxy <http://127.0.0.1:8080> --header '<Authorization: Bearer token>' --request <GET|PUT|POST|DELETE|PATCH|...> <https://example.com>
 Irreversible — verify the target before running

FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between cURL Requests & Options and the other groups?

Each group in this cURL cheat sheet covers a distinct area. cURL Requests & Options focuses on its specific scope, while the other groups and the remaining groups cover networking, storage, security and diagnostics respectively.

How do I check the installed cURL version?

Run the version command (usually curl version or curl --version). The output shows the client and, when applicable, the server version.

Why does cURL return ‘permission denied’?

A ‘permission denied’ error in cURL usually means the current user lacks sufficient privileges or credentials are not configured. Check: (1) assigned IAM/RBAC roles, (2) an active authentication context via the corresponding login command.

How do I filter cURL output by status or name?

Use flags such as --filter, --selector or --query depending on the tool. You can also pipe into grep or jq to process JSON: 

curl list | grep RUNNING

What is the fastest way to debug a cURL error?

Add the verbose flag (--verbose, -v or --debug) to the failing command. This reveals the underlying HTTP/API calls and the full error response body.

Official sources & references

Commands cross-checked against vendor documentation and high-authority repositories: