Clash Meta / mihomo for Beginners: The Complete Starter Guide

Setting up Clash Meta for the first time looks more complicated than it really is. Behind the jargon sit just three moving parts: the mihomo core, which does the actual proxying; a graphical client, which gives you the buttons and switches to control that core; and a subscription, which supplies the list of servers you connect through. Once you understand how those three fit together, everything else falls into place.

This beginner guide takes you from an empty desktop to a working connection: you will pick the right client for your platform, install it, import a subscription, select a node and confirm that traffic is really flowing. At the end we cover the classic newcomer mistakes so you can skip them entirely.

The three concepts you actually need

• mihomo core — an open-source, command-line proxy engine, formerly known as Clash.Meta. It parses your configuration, connects to your proxy servers and routes traffic according to rules. It has no interface of its own; we explain it in depth in What is mihomo?
• Graphical client — an app such as Clash Verge Rev, FlClash or Clash Meta for Android. Each one ships with the mihomo core built in and drives it for you, so you never touch the command line.
• Subscription — a URL from your proxy provider that returns a ready-made list of servers and routing rules. Your client downloads it once and refreshes it periodically.

In short: the client is what you install, the core is what does the work, and the subscription tells the core where to connect.

Step 1: pick a client for your platform

All of these bundle the mihomo core, so a single download is enough. Grab the build for your system from the download center — if you are unsure which architecture to pick, the download page groups everything by platform.

Step 2: install and import your subscription

1. Run the installer or open the package you downloaded. On Windows, a SmartScreen prompt may appear because open-source builds carry no commercial signature — choose More info, then Run anyway. On macOS, drag the app into Applications.
2. Log in to your proxy provider's dashboard and copy your subscription URL. Treat that link like a password.
3. Open the client, go to its profiles or subscription page, paste the URL and import it. The client downloads the full server list in a few moments. A detailed walkthrough for every client lives in our subscription import guide.

Step 3: first connection, node choice and verification

1. Open the proxies page and you will see one or more proxy groups containing your provider's nodes.
2. Run a latency test — usually a small lightning or speed icon — and pick a node with a low, stable reading.
3. Turn on the System Proxy switch (on Android, tap start and accept the VPN prompt instead).
4. Verify: open a website that was previously unreachable, or use any "what is my IP" service and check that the location matches your chosen node.

Names and layouts differ slightly between clients and versions, but this select-test-enable-verify loop is universal.

Beginner mistakes to avoid

• Installing only the core. Downloading the bare mihomo binary gets you a command-line tool and no window to click. Unless you want to write configs by hand, install a graphical client — the core comes with it.
• Forgetting the system proxy switch. A selected node does nothing until System Proxy (or TUN / VPN mode) is actually on. If pages will not load, check this switch first.
• Using an expired subscription. When every node fails its latency test, your plan has usually lapsed or the link has changed. Renew or re-copy the URL from your provider, then update the profile.

Where to go next

You now have the full picture: client, core, subscription, connect. For a deeper, screenshot-level walkthrough of the most popular desktop setup, continue with the Clash Verge Rev Windows installation guide, or explore the rest of the tutorials as questions come up.