How to Install ChefDK on RHEL, Ubuntu, macOS, and Windows (Legacy-Friendly Guide)

This guide shows a practical way to install ChefDK on RHEL/CentOS, Ubuntu, macOS, and Windows, then verify that your shell is using the expected Chef binaries. It is aimed at DevOps engineers maintaining legacy ChefDK-based automation.

Originally published on 2015-10-27; fully revised and updated.

Before you install: confirm whether you need ChefDK

ChefDK is still used in some older pipelines, but many teams now standardize on Chef Workstation for new setups. If you must stay on ChefDK for compatibility, start from the official download index at downloads.chef.io/chef-dk and select the exact package for your OS and architecture.

• Use an account with administrator or sudo permissions.
• Pick the package that matches your platform (RPM, DEB, PKG, or MSI).
• Plan to open a new terminal session after install so PATH changes are loaded.

Installation workflow across operating systems

flowchart TD
    A[Choose target OS] --> B[Open ChefDK download page]
    B --> C{Select platform package}
    C --> D[RHEL or CentOS RPM]
    C --> E[Ubuntu DEB]
    C --> F[macOS PKG]
    C --> G[Windows MSI]
    D --> H[Install package]
    E --> H
    F --> H
    G --> H
    H --> I[Verify chef and knife versions]
    I --> J[Start cookbook and policy work]

OS installer and command comparison

RHEL or CentOS installation example (from the original post)

The original article used an EL6 package and this direct URL: chefdk-0.9.0-1.el6.x86_64.rpm. Keep in mind this is a historical build.

wget https://opscode-omnibus-packages.s3.amazonaws.com/el/6/x86_64/chefdk-0.9.0-1.el6.x86_64.rpm
# or
curl -O https://opscode-omnibus-packages.s3.amazonaws.com/el/6/x86_64/chefdk-0.9.0-1.el6.x86_64.rpm

chmod 755 chefdk-0.9.0-1.el6.x86_64.rpm
sudo rpm -ivh chefdk-0.9.0-1.el6.x86_64.rpmCode language: PHP (php)

which chef
chef -v
knife -v

On Linux systems, ChefDK binaries are commonly installed under /opt/chefdk.

Ubuntu installation example (DEB package)

After downloading the appropriate .deb package from the ChefDK downloads page, install it with:

cd ~/Downloads
sudo dpkg -i chefdk_*.deb
sudo apt-get -f install

which chef
chef -v
knife -v

macOS and Windows installation examples

macOS

sudo installer -pkg ~/Downloads/chefdk-*.pkg -target /
chef -v
knife -vCode language: JavaScript (javascript)

Windows (PowerShell or Command Prompt)

msiexec /i C:\path\to\chefdk-setup.msi /qn
chef -v
knife -v

If chef is not recognized immediately on Windows, open a new terminal session (or log out and back in) to refresh PATH.

ChefDK vs Chef Workstation: quick decision guide

Common pitfalls and best practices

• Avoid hardcoding outdated package URLs; prefer selecting current artifacts from the official downloads page.
• Pin and document the exact package version used by each environment for repeatability.
• Verify binaries after install with chef -v and knife -v before running automation.
• Plan migration work if your organization is moving from ChefDK to Chef Workstation.

Rajesh Kumar

I’m Rajesh Kumar, a DevOps, SRE, DevSecOps, Cloud, and Platform Engineering expert passionate about sharing practical knowledge, real-world experiences, and industry best practices. I have worked at Cotocus and regularly write about technology, travel, investing, health, product reviews, and digital marketing through my various platforms.

I publish technical articles at DevOps School, travel stories at Holiday Landmark, stock market insights at Stocks Mantra, health and fitness guidance at My Medic Plus, product reviews at TrueReviewNow, and SEO and digital marketing strategies at Wizbrand.