Nekoray Setup Guide (Windows / macOS / Linux)

Nekoray is a modern, cross‑platform proxy client with a clean UI and support for VLESS, VMess, Shadowsocks, and Trojan. This tutorial covers installation, importing nodes or subscriptions, routing profiles, app proxy usage, and troubleshooting.

What Is Nekoray?

Nekoray provides a friendly interface to manage modern proxy protocols across Windows, macOS, and Linux. It supports single‑node imports, subscription updates, route profiles, per‑app proxying, and quick latency tests to help you pick the best server.

Step 1 — Install Nekoray

Download the latest Nekoray build from the official repository (prefer official sources for integrity).
Windows: extract or install to a stable path (e.g., C:\Tools\Nekoray). macOS: open the app; grant permissions if prompted. Linux: use AppImage or package per your distro.
Launch Nekoray. On first run, allow any required permissions and keep it running while configuring.

Tip: If antivirus or Gatekeeper flags the app, verify source and whitelist/allow accordingly.

Step 2 — Add VLESS / VMess / SS / Trojan

Method A: Import Single Node

Copy your vless://, vmess://, ss://, or trojan:// link.
In Nekoray, use “Import from clipboard” or the add‑node dialog to paste the URL.
Confirm the server appears in the nodes list and shows basic info (address, port, cipher/protocol).

Method B: Use a Subscription (Recommended)

Open the Subscriptions section.
Add your subscription URL provided by your service; save.
Click “Update” to fetch nodes in bulk; enable auto‑update if available.

Subscriptions keep your node list current and may include curated rule sets.

Step 3 — Select a Node and Test Latency

Select a node and set it active.
Run latency tests to measure response time; pick nodes with consistently low ping.
Optionally group nodes (e.g., “Media”, “Game”, “Global”) to simplify switching.

Choose stable nodes; adjust by region/CDN proximity to match target sites.

Step 4 — Configure Routing Profiles and App Proxy

Profiles: Use profile modes (Global / Rule / Direct) to control traffic behavior.
Rule‑based (Recommended): Proxy foreign/blocked destinations while keeping domestic traffic direct.
Per‑App Proxy: On supported platforms, target specific apps through the proxy while leaving others direct.

If you need system‑wide proxy, enable “System Proxy” or configure OS‑level proxy via our OS guides.

Verify routing with What’s My IP and DNS Leak Test.

Troubleshooting

Cannot connect: Update subscription; switch nodes; verify time/timezone; check firewall.

No proxy in browser: Enable system proxy or set the browser to use system proxy; restart the browser.

DNS leaks: Use rule mode with proper DNS or enable DoH in the browser. Test via DNS Leak Test.

Stuttering video: Choose media‑optimized nodes; try routes closer to your streaming CDN.