Add Clerk authentication to a Next.js app with the Clerk CLI

The Clerk CLI simplifies the integration of Clerk authentication into a Next.js 16 App Router project by automating the installation of the @clerk/nextjs SDK, writing necessary configuration files, and scaffolding authentication routes, thus eliminating the need for manual setup steps that were required before its release on April 22, 2026. This tool allows developers to manage authentication settings as code, enabling version control and CI/CD processes, while also providing a diagnostic feature, clerk doctor, to ensure proper setup. The CLI complements the Clerk Dashboard, which remains necessary for operations like OAuth provider credentials and billing, while the CLI handles tasks like environment variable management and API access. It supports both new and existing projects and is compatible with AI coding agents, providing a comprehensive approach to integrating and managing Clerk authentication in Next.js applications.