> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.ape.church/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.ape.church/building/open-cli.md).

# Open CLI

Ape Church is a fully on-chain, decentralized casino on <mark style="color:green;">**ApeChain**</mark><mark style="color:green;">.</mark> The <mark style="color:green;">**Ape Church Open CLI**</mark> lets you play Ape Church games directly from the terminal **permissionlessly**.

<mark style="color:green;">**What that means in practice:**</mark>

* No accounts
* No API keys
* No approvals
* Every wager is a **smart contract transaction** on ApeChain
* Randomness is **provably fair** via **Chainlink VRF**

This page explains how to install the CLI, set up a wallet, play games, automate sessions, and use JSON output for scripts and agents.

{% embed url="<https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OfsIY5nMzt3fM1-JnS_mpGtyZMaIbavE/view?usp=sharing>" %}

#### <mark style="color:green;">**Overview**</mark>

Most online casinos are walled gardens (logins, rate limits, anti-bot rules, centralized control). Ape Church is different:

* **Direct on-chain gameplay:** the CLI talks to contracts, not a private backend.
* **Automation is normal:** contracts don’t care if a human, script, or agent places a bet.
* **Composability:** transactions, game IDs, and results are easy to integrate into tools and workflows.

#### <mark style="color:green;">**Prerequisites**</mark>

* A terminal environment (local machine, VPS, container, etc.)
* **APE on ApeChain** to wager
* Enough balance to cover **wagers + network fees**

**About fees (plain language):** each game is an on-chain transaction, so you’ll pay small **network fees** (gas) and a **randomness fee** (VRF) in addition to your wager.

#### <mark style="color:green;">**Install the CLI**</mark>

```bash
npm install -g @ape-church/skill
```

Verify it’s installed:

```bash
apechurch --version
```

#### <mark style="color:green;">**Set Up Your Wallet**</mark>&#x20;

**1. Create a wallet and register a username**

```bash
apechurch install --username MY_AGENT
```

This creates a **self-custodial** wallet locally and prints your wallet address.

**2. Fund the wallet with APE on ApeChain**

Send/bridge APE to the address shown after install.

Bridge - <https://relay.link/bridge/apechain>

**3. Confirm everything is ready**

```bash
apechurch status
```

#### <mark style="color:green;">**Quickstart  - Play a Game**</mark>

Play once:

```bash
apechurch play
```

Run an automated session (loop mode):

```bash
apechurch play --loop
```

#### <mark style="color:green;">**Supported Games**</mark>

The CLI supports multiple game types: dice/odds games, table games, slots, keno-style games, matching games, and interactive card games.

List games:

```bash
apechurch games
```

<mark style="color:green;">**Quick Reference**</mark>&#x20;

* ApeStrong (dice/odds): `apechurch play ape-strong 10 50`
* Roulette: `apechurch play roulette 10 RED`
* Baccarat: `apechurch play baccarat 10 BANKER`
* Jungle Plinko: `apechurch play jungle-plinko 10 2 50`
* Keno: `apechurch play keno 10`
* Speed Keno: `apechurch play speed-keno 10 --picks 5 --games 20`
* Slots (Dino Dough): `apechurch play dino-dough 10 10`
* Monkey Match: `apechurch play monkey-match 10 --mode 2`
* Bear-A-Dice: `apechurch play bear-dice 10 --difficulty 1 --rolls 3`
* Blackjack (auto): `apechurch blackjack 10 --auto`
* Video Poker (auto): `apechurch video-poker 10 --auto`

<mark style="color:green;">**Automation: Loop Mode (with safety rails)**</mark>

Loop mode is designed for long-running sessions and unattended play.

**Basic loop**

```bash
apechurch play --loop
apechurch play --loop --delay 5
apechurch play ape-strong 10 50 --loop
```

**Safety Controls (recommended)**

Use these to prevent “runaway sessions”:

```bash
apechurch play --loop --target 200
apechurch play --loop --stop-loss 50
apechurch play --loop --max-games 100
```

Options:

* `--target <ape>`: stop when balance reaches a target
* `--stop-loss <ape>`: stop when balance drops to a limit
* `--max-games <n>`: stop after N games
* `--delay <sec>`: delay between games (default: 3)

<mark style="color:green;">**Betting Strategies (bet sizing)**</mark>

Strategies automatically adjust bet size based on win/loss patterns.

Available strategies:

* `flat` (default)
* `martingale` (high risk)
* `reverse-martingale`
* `fibonacci`
* `dalembert` (d'Alembert)

Example:

```bash
apechurch play roulette 10 RED --loop --bet-strategy martingale --max-bet 100
```

Safety options:

```bash
--max-bet <ape>
--stop-loss <ape>
```

{% hint style="info" %}
**Recommendation:** always set `--max-bet` when using progressive strategies (especially martingale).
{% endhint %}

<mark style="color:green;">**Blackjack & Video Poker (auto-play)**</mark>

Some games include an `--auto` mode that chooses actions using a mathematical decision engine.

**Blackjack**

```bash
apechurch blackjack 10 --auto
apechurch blackjack 10 --auto --loop --max-games 20
```

**Video Poker**

```bash
apechurch video-poker 10 --auto
apechurch video-poker 10 --auto --loop --max-games 50
```

<mark style="color:green;">**JSON Output (for Scripts, Bots, and Agents)**</mark>

All commands support machine-readable output with `--json`.

**Status**

```bash
apechurch status --json
```

Common fields include:

* `address`
* `balance`, `available_ape`, `gas_reserve_ape`
* `gp`
* `paused`
* `username`, `persona`
* `can_play`

**Play**

```bash
apechurch play --json
```

Play output includes:

* `tx` (transaction hash)
* `game_url`
* wager + config
* result (`won`, `payout_ape`, `pnl_ape`)

Errors are returned as:

```json
{ "error": "..." }
```

#### <mark style="color:green;">**Costs & Limits**</mark>&#x20;

Each game is an on-chain transaction, so you pay:

* **Gas** (varies by game complexity)
* **VRF/randomness fees** (varies)

Make sure your wallet has enough balance for wagers **and** fees, especially when running loop mode.

#### <mark style="color:green;">**Common Issues (Quick Fixes)**</mark>

* **“Insufficient balance” / session stops immediately**
  * You need enough APE for your **wager plus fees** (gas + VRF). Add more APE or lower your bet size.
* **Stuck or unexpected loop behavior**
  * Add guardrails like `--max-games`, `--stop-loss`, and a reasonable `--delay`.
* **Wallet safety concerns**
  * Encrypt your wallet (recommended) and never share/export the private key unless you fully understand the risk.

#### <mark style="color:green;">**Security: Protect Your Wallet**</mark>

Wallet file location:

* `~/.apechurch/wallet.json`

**Critical rules:**

* Never share your private key
* Never paste it into prompts or third-party tools
* Consider encrypting your wallet:

  ```bash
  apechurch wallet encrypt
  ```

<mark style="color:green;">**Updates**</mark>

```bash
npm update -g @ape-church/skill
apechurch --version
```