newrelic · Nandu-pns · Feb 17, 2026 · Feb 17, 2026
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
@@ -55,6 +55,16 @@ page.
 
 The latest New Relic CLI documentation is available in the repository's [docs](https://github.com/newrelic/newrelic-cli/blob/main/docs/cli/newrelic.md) directory.
 
+### Guided Install: Scope and Usage
+
+The `newrelic install` command provides automated installation of New Relic agents and integrations.
+
+**Important:** This command is designed for **initial installations on new hosts**. When run on a system with existing New Relic agents, it will reset configurations to defaults as part of ensuring a clean installation.
+
+For upgrading existing agents while preserving custom configurations, use the [manual upgrade procedures](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/infrastructure/install-infrastructure-agent/update-or-uninstall/update-infrastructure-agent/) documented for each agent type.
+
+See the [Install Guide](docs/INSTALL_GUIDE.md) for detailed information about when to use guided install versus manual upgrades.
+
 ## Installation & Upgrades
 
 Installation options are available for various platforms. If you're running an older version of the CLI you can use these commands to update to the latest version.
@@ -321,9 +331,8 @@ New Relic hosts and moderates an online forum where you can interact with New Re
 - [Roadmap](https://newrelic.github.io/developer-toolkit/roadmap/) - As part of the Developer Toolkit, the roadmap for this project follows the same RFC process
 - [Issues or Enhancement Requests](https://github.com/newrelic/newrelic-cli/issues) - Issues and enhancement requests can be submitted in the Issues tab of this repository. Please search for and review the existing open issues before submitting a new issue.
 - [Contributors Guide](CONTRIBUTING.md) - Contributions are welcome (and if you submit a Enhancement Request, expect to be invited to contribute it yourself :grin:).
-- [Community discussion board](https://discuss.newrelic.com/c/build-on-new-relic/developer-toolkit) - Like all official New Relic open source projects, there's a related Community topic in the New Relic Explorers Hub.
 
-Please do not report issues with the CLI to New Relic Global Technical Support. Instead, visit the [`Explorers Hub`](https://discuss.newrelic.com/c/build-on-new-relic) for troubleshooting and best-practices.
+Please do not report issues with the CLI to New Relic Global Technical Support. Instead, submit issues and questions through [GitHub Issues](https://github.com/newrelic/newrelic-cli/issues) for community support and troubleshooting.
 
 ## Issues / Enhancement Requests
 

diff --git a/docs/GETTING_STARTED.md b/docs/GETTING_STARTED.md
@@ -23,6 +23,10 @@ docker run -i --rm -e NEW_RELIC_API_KEY newrelic/cli apm application search --na
 Binary releases are available on [GitHub][releases] as well and installed
 anywhere in the environment `$PATH` for the user.
 
+### Guided Install
+
+The CLI includes a `newrelic install` command for automated agent installation. This command is designed for initial installations on new hosts. For upgrading existing agents while preserving custom configurations, see the [Install Guide](INSTALL_GUIDE.md) for guidance on when to use guided install versus manual upgrades.
+
 ### Environment Setup
 
 You will need a [Personal API Key][api_key] in order to make full use of this
@@ -247,8 +251,7 @@ Custom events may take a moment to appear in query results while they are being
 
 ### Want more?
 
-If you'd like to engage with other community members, visit our
-[discuss][discuss] page.  We welcome feature requests or bug reports on GitHub.
+We welcome feature requests or bug reports on [GitHub Issues](https://github.com/newrelic/newrelic-cli/issues).
 We also love Pull Requests.
 
 [homebrew]: https://brew.sh/
@@ -260,5 +263,3 @@ We also love Pull Requests.
 [api_key]: https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/apis/get-started/intro-apis/types-new-relic-api-keys#personal-api-key
 
 [jq]: https://stedolan.github.io/jq/
-
-[discuss]: https://discuss.newrelic.com/c/build-on-new-relic/developer-toolkit
diff --git a/docs/INSTALL_GUIDE.md b/docs/INSTALL_GUIDE.md
@@ -0,0 +1,111 @@
+# New Relic CLI Guided Install Guide
+
+## Overview
+
+The `newrelic install` command provides an automated, guided installation experience for New Relic agents and integrations. This guide helps you understand when to use guided install and when to use alternative methods.
+
+## Intended Use
+
+### Guided Install is Designed For
+
+The CLI-based guided installation provides a simple, single-command experience for **initial installation on new hosts**:
+
+- Customers who want an easy, automated installation process
+- Standard agent deployments with default configurations
+- Embedding in automated deployment scripts to ensure new servers are monitored from day one
+- Integration with configuration management tools (Ansible, Puppet, Chef)
+- Scenarios where a quick, consistent installation is preferred
+
+Advanced users who require fine-grained control over installation settings, specific version pinning, or custom configuration during installation may prefer manual installation procedures.
+
+### How Guided Install Works
+
+When you run `newrelic install`, the command:
+
+1. Detects your system configuration and running services
+2. Recommends appropriate New Relic agents and integrations
+3. Installs agents with default configuration settings
+4. Validates that agents are reporting data successfully
+
+To ensure a consistent installation experience, the command configures agents with standard default settings. This approach works well for new installations where no prior configuration exists.
+
+## Upgrading Existing Agents
+
+If you have existing New Relic agents with custom configurations that you want to preserve, use the manual upgrade procedures instead:
+
+### Infrastructure Agent Upgrades
+
+For detailed upgrade instructions specific to your operating system, see the New Relic documentation:
+
+**Documentation:** [Update Infrastructure Agent](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/infrastructure/install-infrastructure-agent/update-or-uninstall/update-infrastructure-agent/)
+
+### APM Agent Upgrades
+
+Each APM agent has specific upgrade procedures that preserve your configurations. See the New Relic documentation for language-specific upgrade instructions:
+
+**Documentation:** [APM Agent Updates](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/apm/)
+
+## Configuration Considerations
+
+### What Happens to Existing Configurations
+
+If you run `newrelic install` on a system with existing New Relic agents:
+
+- Agent configuration files are set to default values
+- Custom settings (log paths, custom attributes, labels) are not preserved
+- Integration configurations are reset to defaults
+
+This behavior ensures a clean, consistent installation but may not be suitable for systems with custom configurations you want to keep.
+
+### Backing Up Configurations
+
+If you plan to use guided install on a system with existing agents, consider backing up your configuration files first:
+
+**Linux:**
+```bash
+# Back up main config file
+sudo cp /etc/newrelic-infra.yml /etc/newrelic-infra.yml.backup
+
+# Back up integrations directory
+sudo cp -r /etc/newrelic-infra /etc/newrelic-infra.backup
+```
+
+**Windows:**
+```powershell
+Copy-Item -Path "C:\Program Files\New Relic\newrelic-infra" -Destination "C:\Program Files\New Relic\newrelic-infra.backup" -Recurse
+```
+
+## Frequently Asked Questions
+
+### Can I use guided install to upgrade my existing agents?
+
+While the command will run successfully, it's designed for new installations. For upgrades that preserve your custom configurations, we recommend using the manual upgrade procedures for your specific agent type.
+
+### Will my telemetry data be affected?
+
+No. Guided install only affects local agent configuration files. Your historical data in New Relic remains unchanged.
+
+### Can I customize the installation?
+
+The guided install uses standard default configurations. For custom setups, you can either:
+1. Use guided install and then manually edit configuration files afterward
+2. Perform a manual installation following agent-specific documentation
+
+### What if I need help?
+
+- **Documentation:** [New Relic Docs](https://docs.newrelic.com/)
+- **Issues and Questions:** [GitHub Issues](https://github.com/newrelic/newrelic-cli/issues)
+- **General Support:** [New Relic Support](https://support.newrelic.com/)
+
+## Command Reference
+
+For complete command options, run:
+
+```bash
+newrelic install --help
+```
+
+See also:
+- [CLI Documentation](newrelic.md)
+- [Getting Started Guide](GETTING_STARTED.md)
+- [New Relic Infrastructure Agent Documentation](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/infrastructure/)
diff --git a/docs/cli/newrelic_install.md b/docs/cli/newrelic_install.md
@@ -2,6 +2,12 @@
 
 Install New Relic.
 
+### Important: Intended Use
+
+The `newrelic install` command is designed for **initial installation on new hosts**. It provides an automated, guided installation experience that configures New Relic agents with default settings.
+
+**Note for existing installations:** Running this command on a host with existing New Relic agents will reset agent configurations to defaults. If you need to upgrade agents while preserving custom configurations, use the [manual upgrade procedures](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/infrastructure/install-infrastructure-agent/update-or-uninstall/update-infrastructure-agent/) instead.
+
 ```
 newrelic install [flags]
 ```