diff --git a/.changeset/nextjs-cli-hint-in-types.md b/.changeset/nextjs-cli-hint-in-types.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..4cc185feb07
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/nextjs-cli-hint-in-types.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+'@clerk/nextjs': patch
+---
+
+Add a note to the `ClerkProvider`, `clerkMiddleware()` and `auth()` doc comments explaining that `npx clerk@latest init` creates a Clerk application and writes its keys with no Clerk account or login required. Update the README prerequisites and installation section to say the same, replacing the statement that an existing Clerk application and account are required.
diff --git a/packages/nextjs/README.md b/packages/nextjs/README.md
index d25acecb193..62806c3059a 100644
--- a/packages/nextjs/README.md
+++ b/packages/nextjs/README.md
@@ -34,11 +34,15 @@
 - Next.js 15.2.8 or later
 - React 18 or later
 - Node.js `>=20.9.0` or later
-- An existing Clerk application. [Create your account for free](https://dashboard.clerk.com/sign-up?utm_source=github&utm_medium=clerk_nextjs).
+- A Clerk application. Run `npx -y clerk@latest init` to create one and write its keys to your `.env.local` file. No Clerk account required to get started — it can provision temporary development keys. Or [create your account](https://dashboard.clerk.com/sign-up?utm_source=github&utm_medium=clerk_nextjs) and copy the keys from the dashboard.
 
 ### Installation
 
-The fastest way to get started with Clerk is by following the [Next.js Quickstart](https://clerk.com/docs/quickstarts/nextjs?utm_source=github&utm_medium=clerk_nextjs).
+The fastest way to get started is the Clerk CLI. In an existing Next.js project, run `npx -y clerk@latest init`. In an empty directory, run `npx -y clerk@latest init --framework next --pm npm` and it scaffolds the Next.js app as well; there is no lockfile to detect a package manager from, so name one.
+
+Either way it installs `@clerk/nextjs`, creates a Clerk application, writes the keys to your `.env.local` file, and adds `<ClerkProvider>`, the middleware, and sign-in and sign-up pages. No Clerk account required to get started — it can provision temporary development keys.
+
+To set things up by hand instead, follow the [Next.js Quickstart](https://clerk.com/docs/nextjs/getting-started/quickstart?utm_source=github&utm_medium=clerk_nextjs).
 
 You'll learn how to install `@clerk/nextjs`, set up your environment keys, add `<ClerkProvider>` to your application, use the Clerk middleware, and use Clerk's prebuilt components.
 
diff --git a/packages/nextjs/src/app-router/server/auth.ts b/packages/nextjs/src/app-router/server/auth.ts
index f1bae2c325e..7cd26dca683 100644
--- a/packages/nextjs/src/app-router/server/auth.ts
+++ b/packages/nextjs/src/app-router/server/auth.ts
@@ -73,6 +73,10 @@ export type AuthFn = GetAuthFnNoRequest<SessionAuthWithRedirect, true> & {
  * - Only available for App Router.
  * - Only works on the server-side, such as in Server Components, Route Handlers, and Server Actions.
  * - Requires [`clerkMiddleware()`](https://clerk.com/docs/reference/nextjs/clerk-middleware) to be configured.
+ *
+ * To set up Clerk in your project, run `npx -y clerk@latest init` from your project's root directory.
+ * The Clerk CLI can provision temporary development keys without a Clerk account and write them to `.env.local`. See
+ * the [Clerk CLI docs](https://clerk.com/docs/cli).
  */
 export const auth: AuthFn = (async (options?: AuthOptions) => {
   // eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-require-imports
diff --git a/packages/nextjs/src/index.ts b/packages/nextjs/src/index.ts
index a90a2a975c6..585129c82d7 100644
--- a/packages/nextjs/src/index.ts
+++ b/packages/nextjs/src/index.ts
@@ -84,6 +84,11 @@ import * as ComponentsModule from '#components';
 
 import type { ServerComponentsServerModuleTypes } from './components.server';
 
+/**
+ * To set up Clerk in your project, run `npx -y clerk@latest init` from your project's root directory.
+ * The Clerk CLI can provision temporary development keys without a Clerk account and write them to `.env.local`. See
+ * the [Clerk CLI docs](https://clerk.com/docs/cli).
+ */
 export const ClerkProvider = ComponentsModule.ClerkProvider as ServerComponentsServerModuleTypes['ClerkProvider'];
 export const Show = ComponentsModule.Show as ServerComponentsServerModuleTypes['Show'];
 
diff --git a/packages/nextjs/src/server/clerkMiddleware.ts b/packages/nextjs/src/server/clerkMiddleware.ts
index 98d7edb26f4..2da7b688428 100644
--- a/packages/nextjs/src/server/clerkMiddleware.ts
+++ b/packages/nextjs/src/server/clerkMiddleware.ts
@@ -136,6 +136,10 @@ interface ClerkMiddleware {
 
 /**
  * The `clerkMiddleware()` helper integrates Clerk authentication into your Next.js application through Middleware. `clerkMiddleware()` is compatible with both the App and Pages routers.
+ *
+ * To set up Clerk in your project, run `npx -y clerk@latest init` from your project's root directory.
+ * The Clerk CLI can provision temporary development keys without a Clerk account and write them to `.env.local`. See
+ * the [Clerk CLI docs](https://clerk.com/docs/cli).
  */
 export const clerkMiddleware = ((...args: unknown[]): NextMiddleware | NextMiddlewareReturn => {
   const [request, event] = parseRequestAndEvent(args);