Setting Up Claude Code

New to the terminal? Check out Terminal Basics first.

Want alternatives? See Installing AI CLI Tools for Gemini CLI, Codex CLI, and more.

What is Claude Code?

Claude Code is a command-line tool made by Anthropic that lets you work with Claude AI directly in your terminal (the text-based interface on your computer). Instead of chatting in a browser, you type commands and Claude helps you with coding, file editing, data analysis, and more — right where your code lives.

Why use it?

Works directly with your files and folders
Can read, edit, and create code for you
Runs commands and sees the output
Great for data analysis workflows
No copy-pasting between browser and code editor

Installation Instructions

Choose your operating system:

Windows
Mac
Linux

Windows

Step 1: Install Node.js

Claude Code needs Node.js (a program that runs JavaScript) to work.

Go to nodejs.org
Download the LTS version (the button on the left)
Run the installer
Click Next through all the steps (default settings are fine)
Check the box for “Automatically install necessary tools” if asked
Click Install, then Finish

Step 2: Open Terminal

Press the Windows key on your keyboard
Type cmd
Click on Command Prompt

A black window with white text will open. This is your terminal.

Step 3: Install Claude Code

In the terminal window, type this exactly and press Enter:

npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

Wait for it to finish (may take 1-2 minutes). You’ll see some text scrolling.

Step 4: Start Claude Code

In the same terminal, type:

claude

The first time, it will ask you to log in with your Anthropic account (the same one you use for claude.ai). Follow the instructions on screen.

You’re done!

Type your questions or requests and press Enter. Type exit to quit.

Mac

Step 1: Install Node.js

Go to nodejs.org
Download the LTS version (the button on the left)
Open the downloaded .pkg file
Follow the installer steps (click Continue, then Install)
Enter your Mac password when asked

Step 2: Open Terminal

Press Command + Space to open Spotlight
Type Terminal
Press Enter

A window with text will open. This is your terminal.

Step 3: Install Claude Code

In the terminal window, type this exactly and press Enter:

npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

Wait for it to finish (may take 1-2 minutes).

If you get a permission error, type this instead:

sudo npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

Enter your Mac password when asked (you won’t see the characters as you type — that’s normal).

Step 4: Start Claude Code

In the same terminal, type:

claude

The first time, it will ask you to log in with your Anthropic account. Follow the instructions on screen.

You’re done!

Type your questions or requests and press Enter. Type exit to quit.

Linux

Step 1: Install Node.js

Open your terminal and run these commands:

Ubuntu/Debian:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install nodejs npm

Fedora:

sudo dnf install nodejs npm

Arch:

sudo pacman -S nodejs npm

Step 2: Install Claude Code

npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

If you get a permission error:

sudo npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

Step 3: Start Claude Code

claude

You’re done!

Quick Tips

Command	What it does
`claude`	Start Claude Code
`exit`	Quit Claude Code
`claude --help`	See all options
`/help`	Get help while inside Claude

Requirements

Anthropic account — Sign up at claude.ai if you don’t have one
Claude Pro or API access — Claude Code requires a paid subscription or API credits
Internet connection — Claude runs in the cloud

Troubleshooting

“npm not found” — Node.js didn’t install correctly. Restart your terminal and try again, or reinstall Node.js.

“Permission denied” — On Mac/Linux, add sudo before the command. On Windows, right-click Command Prompt and select “Run as administrator”.

“Authentication failed” — Make sure you’re using the same account you use for claude.ai and that you have an active subscription.

Learn More

Claude Code Documentation
Anthropic Console — for API keys and usage

--- title: "Setting Up Claude Code" --- **New to the terminal?** Check out [Terminal Basics](terminal-basics.html) first. **Want alternatives?** See [Installing AI CLI Tools](install-cli.html) for Gemini CLI, Codex CLI, and more. --- ## What is Claude Code? Claude Code is a command-line tool made by Anthropic that lets you work with Claude AI directly in your terminal (the text-based interface on your computer). Instead of chatting in a browser, you type commands and Claude helps you with coding, file editing, data analysis, and more — right where your code lives. **Why use it?** - Works directly with your files and folders - Can read, edit, and create code for you - Runs commands and sees the output - Great for data analysis workflows - No copy-pasting between browser and code editor --- ## Installation Instructions Choose your operating system: - [Windows](#windows) - [Mac](#mac) - [Linux](#linux) --- ## Windows {#windows} ### Step 1: Install Node.js Claude Code needs Node.js (a program that runs JavaScript) to work. 1. Go to [nodejs.org](https://nodejs.org/) 2. Download the **LTS** version (the button on the left) 3. Run the installer 4. Click **Next** through all the steps (default settings are fine) 5. Check the box for "Automatically install necessary tools" if asked 6. Click **Install**, then **Finish** ### Step 2: Open Terminal 1. Press the **Windows key** on your keyboard 2. Type `cmd` 3. Click on **Command Prompt** A black window with white text will open. This is your terminal. ### Step 3: Install Claude Code In the terminal window, type this exactly and press **Enter**: ``` npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code ``` Wait for it to finish (may take 1-2 minutes). You'll see some text scrolling. ### Step 4: Start Claude Code In the same terminal, type: ``` claude ``` The first time, it will ask you to log in with your Anthropic account (the same one you use for claude.ai). Follow the instructions on screen. ### You're done! Type your questions or requests and press Enter. Type `exit` to quit. --- ## Mac {#mac} ### Step 1: Install Node.js 1. Go to [nodejs.org](https://nodejs.org/) 2. Download the **LTS** version (the button on the left) 3. Open the downloaded `.pkg` file 4. Follow the installer steps (click **Continue**, then **Install**) 5. Enter your Mac password when asked ### Step 2: Open Terminal 1. Press **Command + Space** to open Spotlight 2. Type `Terminal` 3. Press **Enter** A window with text will open. This is your terminal. ### Step 3: Install Claude Code In the terminal window, type this exactly and press **Enter**: ``` npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code ``` Wait for it to finish (may take 1-2 minutes). **If you get a permission error**, type this instead: ``` sudo npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code ``` Enter your Mac password when asked (you won't see the characters as you type — that's normal). ### Step 4: Start Claude Code In the same terminal, type: ``` claude ``` The first time, it will ask you to log in with your Anthropic account. Follow the instructions on screen. ### You're done! Type your questions or requests and press Enter. Type `exit` to quit. --- ## Linux {#linux} ### Step 1: Install Node.js Open your terminal and run these commands: **Ubuntu/Debian:** ``` sudo apt update sudo apt install nodejs npm ``` **Fedora:** ``` sudo dnf install nodejs npm ``` **Arch:** ``` sudo pacman -S nodejs npm ``` ### Step 2: Install Claude Code ``` npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code ``` If you get a permission error: ``` sudo npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code ``` ### Step 3: Start Claude Code ``` claude ``` Log in with your Anthropic account when prompted. ### You're done! --- ## Quick Tips | Command | What it does | |---------|--------------| | `claude` | Start Claude Code | | `exit` | Quit Claude Code | | `claude --help` | See all options | | `/help` | Get help while inside Claude | ## Requirements - **Anthropic account** — Sign up at [claude.ai](https://claude.ai) if you don't have one - **Claude Pro or API access** — Claude Code requires a paid subscription or API credits - **Internet connection** — Claude runs in the cloud ## Troubleshooting **"npm not found"** — Node.js didn't install correctly. Restart your terminal and try again, or reinstall Node.js. **"Permission denied"** — On Mac/Linux, add `sudo` before the command. On Windows, right-click Command Prompt and select "Run as administrator". **"Authentication failed"** — Make sure you're using the same account you use for claude.ai and that you have an active subscription. ## Learn More - [Claude Code Documentation](https://docs.anthropic.com/en/docs/claude-code) - [Anthropic Console](https://console.anthropic.com/) — for API keys and usage