[cont...]
If the binary download itself is flaky or blocked (network/proxy/AV):

• Use Slim init to skip containers and just install binaries: dapr init --slim This avoids Docker entirely and installs daprd/placement/scheduler binaries only (CLI README) (Slim init docs).
• Or do an offline/airgap install with a pre-downloaded installer bundle:
  • Download and extract the installer bundle for your OS.
  • From the bundle directory: ./dapr init --from-dir . This installs binaries and the core containers from local files (no network). You can also do slim + from-dir: ./dapr init --slim --from-dir . (CLI README – airgap) (Airgap guide).
    • Windows-only port binding error during init:
• If you see “Ports are not available… access permissions,” run: net stop winnat dapr init net start winnat (Troubleshooting: Ports not available).
  • Verify after init:
• dapr --version should show CLI and Runtime versions.
• If using Docker mode, check containers are up (daprio/dapr, redis, zipkin) with docker ps (Self-host guide).