curl
Transfer data with URLs (HTTP and many protocols).
KaliParrotLinuxlow
pkg: curl
curl makes requests across HTTP(S), FTP and more — indispensable for API testing, header inspection and downloads.
Syntax
curl [options] {url}
Example
curl -sI https://example.com
Fetches only the response headers (-I) silently (-s) — great for header/security checks.
Options & flags
What each switch does. Toggle them in the builder below to assemble a command.
Command builder
Tick options (and fill any values) to build a ready-to-copy command.
curl URL
Usage examples
curl -sI https://target.tld
Inspect response headers quietly.
curl -s -X POST -d "u=a&p=b" https://target.tld/login
Submit a POST form.
curl -s -H "Authorization: Bearer TOKEN" https://api.target.tld/me
Call an authenticated API.
Advantages
- Supports a huge protocol range
- Precise control of method/headers/body
- Everywhere, scriptable
Disadvantages
- Many flags to learn
- No JS rendering
- Verbose for complex flows
Tags
#http#transfer#api
Official docs: curl ↗
Related commands
Frequently asked questions
What is curl used for?
curl makes requests across HTTP(S), FTP and more — indispensable for API testing, header inspection and downloads.
What is an example curl command?
A common example is: curl -sI https://example.com — Fetches only the response headers (-I) silently (-s) — great for header/security checks.
Is curl part of Kali Linux?
Yes. curl ships with Kali Linux (and Parrot OS). If missing, install it with: sudo apt install curl.
What category of security tool is curl?
curl is a Core Linux tool with a low-risk profile when run against a live target.
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