Clash is a rule-based network proxy client kernel — it's not a VPN service but a tool. You need to provide your own proxy nodes (Shadowsocks, Vmess, etc.), and Clash intelligently routes different traffic to different nodes or direct connections based on rules you set.

If you're a developer needing access to international tech docs, managing multi-region servers, or want smart routing on your home router, Clash is an excellent fit. It supports complex strategy group configs far beyond simple VPN apps.

The Clash kernel supports Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS (via compatible clients), and router systems like OpenWrt — covering nearly all major platforms with shared config logic across devices.

For users with basic networking knowledge, getting started is straightforward — download, import a subscription link, enable proxy. Advanced features require some learning, but the community provides abundant templates and tutorials.

Compared to traditional VPN apps, Clash excels in routing flexibility and strategy group power. Compared to tools like V2RayN, Clash offers better cross-platform consistency and config portability.

Visit the download section on this page, pick the client for your platform, prepare a working proxy subscription link, and follow the quick start guide. The whole process typically takes under 5 minutes.

Determine your operating system and version — Windows 10/11 64-bit, macOS Intel or Apple Silicon, Linux distribution and architecture (x86_64 or ARM64). This is critical for downloading the correct package.

Clash Verge is recommended — Tauri-based, modern UI, supports Clash Meta kernel with a built-in visual routing editor. Clash for Windows (CFW) is a classic alternative but no longer actively updated.

ClashX Pro (with enhanced mode for full traffic proxying) or Clash Verge (cross-platform consistency). Both support Apple Silicon natively. Stash from the App Store is also a lightweight option.

Clash Verge offers .deb, .rpm, and AppImage formats covering major distros. For headless servers, use the Clash kernel CLI version with systemd for auto-start.

Android: Clash Meta for Android — open-source, actively maintained, supports auto-updating proxies and rules. iOS: Use compatible clients like Stash (App Store) or Shadowrocket that support Clash config format.

OpenWrt users can install Clash kernel with Luci GUI plugins for network-wide smart routing. Ensure you select the correct binary for your router's architecture (usually ARM or MIPS).

Proxy configs are typically provided as subscription URLs by your proxy service provider. This is an encrypted or plaintext link containing node info, usually in the format https://your-provider.com/subscribe?token=xxx. Keep this link private.

After launching Clash, navigate to the "Profiles" or "Config" tab. The exact label varies by client, but all have an import entry — typically marked "Import", "Add Profile", or "Download Profile".

Paste your subscription URL into the input field and click "Download" or "Import". The client will fetch the latest node info and generate a config file. Some clients support setting an auto-update interval (recommended: every 24 hours).

After import, switch to the "Proxies" tab to see the node list. Click the latency test button (usually a lightning icon) next to each node to confirm reachability and acceptable latency. If all nodes timeout, check if your subscription link is still valid.

Proxy providers may rotate nodes periodically. Enable auto-update in your client or manually trigger an update when nodes feel unstable. This refreshes the node list so you always use the latest available nodes.

If you've made custom modifications (like adding specific rules), export and save a backup locally. This allows you to restore your setup on a new device without reconfiguring. Most clients support exporting as YAML or JSON.

Rule-based routing is Clash's core feature — it directs different network requests to different exits (proxy nodes or direct connection) based on matching conditions like domain, IP address, or GEOIP. For example, Google traffic goes through a proxy while local sites connect directly.

The community provides mature rule sets like Lhie1 rules and ACL4SSR. These pre-categorized collections cover common sites (social media, streaming, tech sites, etc.) — just reference them in your config without starting from scratch.

Strategy groups determine which proxy node to use when a rule matches. Common types include: auto-select (lowest latency), manual select (fixed node), and load balancing (round-robin across nodes). Well-configured groups balance speed and stability.

For advanced needs, edit the rules field in your YAML config directly. Supported match types include DOMAIN, DOMAIN-SUFFIX, DOMAIN-KEYWORD, GEOIP, IP-CIDR, and more — giving you granular control over traffic routing.

After configuration, open Clash's dashboard or logs and visit test sites. Verify that domestic sites go through DIRECT and international sites go through proxy nodes. If something is misrouted, adjust rule priorities accordingly.

Rule-based routing isn't a one-time setup. As your usage evolves, you may need to add new domain rules, adjust strategy group node selections, or update rule set versions. Regularly review logs for misrouted requests and fine-tune for precision.

Most Clash clients include a built-in web dashboard (default: 127.0.0.1:9090) where you can view all active connections, transfer rates, traffic stats, and detailed logs in real time — making config management and troubleshooting intuitive without the command line.

Beyond basic auto and manual selection, Clash supports fallback groups (auto-switch to backup when primary fails) and url-test groups (periodically test all nodes and pick the best). These significantly improve network reliability.

Newer clients like Clash Verge include a graphical rule editor with drag-and-drop reordering and real-time preview. Config changes support hot reload — they take effect without restarting the client, greatly improving debugging efficiency.

The connection panel shows real-time details for each app or domain — target IP, proxy node used, transfer speed, etc. Traffic stats help track cumulative usage per node, especially useful for metered proxy services.

Clash provides a detailed logging system with multiple levels (info, warning, error, debug). In debug mode, you can see which rule each request matched and which node it used — crucial for troubleshooting complex routing issues.

For routers or low-spec devices, tune kernel parameters — limit max concurrent connections, adjust DNS cache policies, enable connection reuse. Clash's Rust/Go core has minimal overhead and can run stably on devices with just 128MB RAM when properly configured.

First, verify your device can access the internet without Clash — try visiting a known website. If basic connectivity fails, the issue isn't with Clash; check Wi-Fi, cables, or router settings. Also ensure your system clock is correct, as wrong time causes TLS certificate verification failures.

Check if your subscription link has expired or if node info is correct. Manually trigger a config update in the client and watch for errors. If the update fails, the subscription link may be invalid or your network may be blocking access. Try opening the link directly in a browser.

Open Clash's log panel and set the level to debug or warning. Visit the problematic site and observe error messages. Common errors include: connection timeout (node unreachable), TLS handshake failure (certificate or clock issue), DNS resolution failure (DNS config problem).

Test each node's latency and availability in the proxy list. If all nodes timeout, the proxy protocol may be blocked. Try switching to nodes using different protocols (e.g., from Vmess to Shadowsocks or Trojan), as different protocols have varying levels of resilience.

Verify the target domain is matched by the correct rule. Search for the domain in logs to see which rule matched and which exit was used. If it's incorrectly routed to direct connection or the wrong node, adjust rule priorities or add new matching rules in your config.

If all else fails, gather log screenshots, config info (with sensitive parts redacted), and a clear problem description. Post on Clash's GitHub Issues, Telegram groups, or relevant forums. Providing detailed information helps the community quickly identify the issue. Also check the docs site's FAQ — many problems already have ready solutions.