Clash Setup Guide: From Subscription Import to Connection Verified

S-00 Before You Start: Client and Subscription Link

You need two things before you begin: a client installed, and a valid subscription link. Without both, you can't move on to the next steps - get these ready first.

Install a Client

Head to the download page and pick a client for your OS. Clash Verge Rev or Clash Plus is recommended for Windows and macOS; Clash Plus or Clash Meta for Android works well on Android; on iPhone and iPad, search "Clash Plus" in the App Store and install directly. Installation works just like any other app on your platform - run the .exe installer and follow the prompts on Windows, or open the .dmg and drag it into Applications on macOS. Open the app once after installing to confirm it launches properly before moving on.

Get Your Subscription Link

A subscription link is a URL your provider gives you, usually starting with https://, something like https://example.com/api/sub?token=xxxx. It's essentially a download link for a config file - the client periodically fetches your node list and routing rules from it, so you never have to enter node details by hand.

You'll usually find it in your provider's dashboard, labeled something like "Subscription URL," "One-Click Subscribe," or "Clash Subscription." Make sure you copy the whole thing without cutting off either end. This link contains your account credentials, so treat it like a password - don't screenshot it publicly or share it with anyone.

Subscriptions typically come back in one of two formats: a Base64-encoded node list, or a full YAML config. Both work directly with any client - see the "Subscriptions & Configs" section of the glossary for details on the format differences.

S-01 Import the Subscription Link

Importing does one thing: hands your subscription link to the client so it can download the config and build a node list. Here's where to find that option in each client, followed by full walkthroughs for each platform.

Windows / macOS:Clash Verge Rev

1. Open the client and click "Profiles" in the left sidebar.
2. Paste your subscription link into the field at the top of the page and click "Import."
3. Once the download finishes, a profile card appears in the list showing its name, last update time, and data usage.
4. Click the card - it gets a highlighted border, meaning that profile is now active.

After activating it, switch to the "Proxies" tab - you should see proxy groups and nodes listed. An empty list means the profile isn't active or the subscription returned nothing, so go back to "Profiles" and check the card's status.

Windows / macOS: Clash Plus Desktop

Open the "Configs" page, click New in the top-right corner, choose Import from URL, paste your link, give it a name you'll recognize, and save. Back in the list, click that config to select it - an active badge appears next to its name, meaning it's now the one in use.

Android / iOS:Clash Plus

1. Open the app and go to the "Configs" tab at the bottom.
2. Tap the "+" in the top-right corner and choose "Download from URL."
3. Paste your subscription link, give it a recognizable name, and save.
4. Back in the config list, tap the one you just imported to make it the active config.

Updating Your Subscription

Your node list changes as your provider makes adjustments. Clients auto-refresh subscriptions on a fixed interval by default; for a manual refresh, use the refresh icon on the profile card, or swipe/long-press the entry on mobile. If a lot of nodes suddenly start timing out, try a manual refresh before troubleshooting anything else. Subscription conversion and merging multiple subscriptions are more advanced topics - check the protocol guide when you need them.

S-02 Choose a Proxy Mode

The mode determines which traffic goes through the proxy. All three modes use the same names across every Clash-based client:

• Rule: Routes traffic based on rule sets. Local sites connect directly, everything else goes through the proxy. This is the default for everyday use.
• Global: Routes all traffic through the current node. Use this only temporarily when rules aren't working as expected or you're troubleshooting, then switch back to Rule.
• Direct: Sends everything straight through with no proxy - effectively the same as pausing the proxy. Useful for comparison testing.

Where to Switch

In Clash Verge Rev, the mode switch sits on the left side of the home screen and at the top of the "Proxies" page, with all three options side by side. In Clash Plus (both desktop and mobile), it's near the top of the main screen - tap to expand and select. Switching takes effect immediately, no restart needed. The Linux desktop clients (Clash Verge Rev / FlClash) put it in the same spot.

Picking a Node

In Rule mode, you can pick a specific node from a group on the "Proxies" page. Most configs include an "Auto" group that switches nodes based on latency automatically; to pick manually, just tap a node's name and it highlights as selected. The number next to each node name is its latency from the last speed test - avoid any node marked Timeout.

For the precise definitions of these three modes and how the client decides between them, see the "Proxy Modes" section of the glossary. The full explanation of rule sets and routing logic is in the protocol guide - not something you need to dig into at this stage.

S-03 Turn On the Connection

With your profile and mode set, the last step is routing your system's traffic through the client. Desktop and mobile use different switches, covered separately below.

Desktop: Enable System Proxy

1. Confirm your profile is active and the mode is set to "Rule."
2. Turn on the "System Proxy" switch. In Clash Verge Rev it's on the left of the home screen; in Clash Plus it's on the main screen.
3. The first time you turn it on, Windows may show a firewall prompt - allow it. macOS will ask for your login password to change network settings - enter it to confirm.
4. Once the switch stays on, the system proxy is active, and traffic from your browser and most desktop apps starts routing according to your mode.

The system proxy only affects apps that respect system proxy settings. Some command-line tools and games ignore it entirely - that traffic needs TUN mode instead, which intercepts all traffic through a virtual network adapter and requires admin permission. See the protocol guide for how TUN works and how to enable it, and the glossary for term definitions.

Mobile: Start the VPN Tunnel

On iPhone and iPad, tap "Start" on the Clash Plus main screen. The system shows an "Add VPN Configuration" dialog - tap "Allow" and complete the verification prompts. A VPN badge in the status bar confirms the tunnel is up.

On Android, tap the start button on the main screen. The system shows a VPN connection request - tap "OK." A persistent notification with a key icon appears, confirming the proxy service is running.

S-04 Verify the Proxy Is Working

Once everything's turned on, run through a quick check to confirm your traffic is actually going through the client. Go through these in order, and stop to troubleshoot at whichever step doesn't behave as expected before moving on.

1. Check the connections list. Open the client's "Connections" page and visit any website in your browser - new entries should appear in real time, showing which rule matched and which node handled it. If nothing shows up, your traffic isn't reaching the client - go back and check the system proxy switch.
2. Test node latency. On the "Proxies" page, tap the speed test button - a latency number for your current node means the connection is working. If it shows Timeout, try a different node; if everything times out, refresh your subscription manually first.
3. Compare your outbound IP. Open an IP lookup site in your browser and note the address shown, then turn off the system proxy and refresh, then turn it back on and refresh again. Different results confirm the proxy is working. In Rule mode, local sites showing your real address and other sites showing the node's address is expected routing behavior, not a problem.

If Verification Fails

• Check whether the mode is stuck on "Direct" - switch back to "Rule" and test again.
• Check whether another proxy tool or security software has overwritten the system proxy setting - disable the conflicting one, then turn this one back on.
• Check whether your subscription has expired - refresh it manually and see if the node list changes.
• Try a different network (for example, switch from a restricted office network to your home network) to rule out an upstream firewall.

Still stuck? Check the troubleshooting articles in the blog based on your specific symptoms, or work through the troubleshooting section of the protocol guide step by step.

S-05 What's Next

That covers everyday setup. The following topics go beyond the basics - check them out when you need them:

• Config file structure, rule syntax, and how proxy protocols (SS / Vmess / Trojan / VLESS / Hysteria2 / TUIC) differ and which to pick - see the protocol guide.
• Precise definitions for terms like Fake-IP, TUN, mixed ports, and rule sets - see the glossary.
• Format details for subscription imports and other import methods - see the blog post “How to Import a Clash Subscription Link: Formats and Methods Explained.”
• Haven't installed a client yet, or need an installer for another platform - see the download page.