Terminal Basics

What you need to know to use Claude Code

What is a Terminal?

A terminal (also called command line, shell, or console) is a text-based interface to your computer. Instead of clicking icons, you type commands.

Why does this matter for Claude Code? Claude Code runs in the terminal. It reads your files, runs code, and shows results - all through text commands.

Don’t worry: You don’t need to become a terminal expert. Just learn the basics below.

Setup details below were cross-checked against official documentation on 2026-02-17.

Opening the Terminal

Option 1: Command Prompt

Press Win key
Type cmd
Click “Command Prompt”

Option 2: PowerShell

Press Win key
Type powershell
Click “PowerShell”

Option 3: Windows Terminal (recommended app)

If you have Windows 11 or installed Windows Terminal:

Press Win key
Type terminal
Click “Terminal”

Use a PowerShell tab inside Windows Terminal for the command examples below.

Option 1: Spotlight

Press Cmd + Space
Type terminal
Press Enter

Option 2: Finder

Open Finder
Go to Applications → Utilities
Double-click “Terminal”

Tip: Keep Terminal in your Dock for quick access.

Most distributions:

Press Ctrl + Alt + T

Or: Search for “Terminal” in your applications menu.

Essential Commands

These are the only commands you need to know to use Claude Code.

Where Am I?

Shows your current folder (directory).

cd

pwd

(in PowerShell)

pwd

List Files

See what’s in the current folder.

dir

ls

(in PowerShell)

ls

To see more details:

ls -la

Change Folder

Move to a different folder.

cd Documents

Go up one level:

cd ..

Go to a specific path:

cd C:\Users\YourName\Documents\project

cd Documents

Go up one level:

cd ..

Go to a specific path:

cd /Users/YourName/Documents/project

Go to home folder:

cd ~

Clear the Screen

Clean up the terminal when it gets cluttered.

cls

clear

Paths: Finding Your Files

A path is the address of a file or folder on your computer.

Examples

C:\Users\Anna\Documents\data-project\hotels.csv

Parts: - C: - the drive - \Users\Anna\Documents\data-project\ - folders - hotels.csv - the file

/Users/Anna/Documents/data-project/hotels.csv

Parts: - /Users/Anna/Documents/data-project/ - folders - hotels.csv - the file

/home/anna/Documents/data-project/hotels.csv

Parts: - /home/anna/Documents/data-project/ - folders - hotels.csv - the file

Tips for Paths

Spaces in names: Use quotes: cd "My Documents"
Tab completion: Type part of a name and press Tab to autocomplete
Drag and drop: On Mac (and many Windows terminals), you can drag a folder into the terminal to paste its path

Starting Claude Code

Once you’re in the folder with your data:

claude

That’s it! Claude Code starts and you can begin typing your requests.

Example Workflow

cd C:\Users\Anna\Documents\austrian-hotels
claude

cd ~/Documents/austrian-hotels
claude

cd ~/Documents/austrian-hotels
claude

Common Issues

“Command not found” for `claude`

Claude Code isn’t installed, or not in your PATH.

Fix: Follow the Claude Code install guide

“No such file or directory”

You typed a path that doesn’t exist.

Fix: 1. Use ls (or dir) to see what’s actually in your folder 2. Check spelling 3. Use Tab completion

“Permission denied”

You don’t have access to that folder/file.

Fix: - Work in your own folder first (for example, ~/Documents on Mac/Linux or %USERPROFILE%\Documents on Windows) - Use sudo (Mac/Linux) or Administrator mode (Windows) only when a setup/install step explicitly requires elevated permissions - Avoid running everyday project commands as admin/root unless you know the command needs it

Quick Reference Card

Task	Windows	Mac / Linux
Open terminal	`Win` → type `terminal` (or `powershell`)	`Cmd+Space` → type `terminal`
Where am I?	`cd` or `pwd` (PowerShell)	`pwd`
List files	`dir` or `ls` (PowerShell)	`ls`
Change folder	`cd foldername`	`cd foldername`
Go up	`cd ..`	`cd ..`
Clear screen	`cls`	`clear`
Start Claude	`claude`	`claude`
Exit Claude	type `exit` or `/exit`	type `exit` or `/exit`

You’re Ready!

That’s all you need. The terminal might feel unfamiliar at first, but after using it a few times with Claude Code, it becomes natural.

Next step: Install Claude Code

--- title: "Terminal Basics" subtitle: "What you need to know to use Claude Code" --- ## What is a Terminal? A **terminal** (also called command line, shell, or console) is a text-based interface to your computer. Instead of clicking icons, you type commands. Why does this matter for Claude Code? Claude Code runs in the terminal. It reads your files, runs code, and shows results - all through text commands. **Don't worry:** You don't need to become a terminal expert. Just learn the basics below. Setup details below were cross-checked against official documentation on **2026-02-17**. --- ## Opening the Terminal ::: {.panel-tabset} ### Windows **Option 1: Command Prompt** 1. Press `Win` key 2. Type `cmd` 3. Click "Command Prompt" **Option 2: PowerShell** 1. Press `Win` key 2. Type `powershell` 3. Click "PowerShell" **Option 3: Windows Terminal (recommended app)** If you have Windows 11 or installed Windows Terminal: 1. Press `Win` key 2. Type `terminal` 3. Click "Terminal" Use a **PowerShell** tab inside Windows Terminal for the command examples below. ### Mac **Option 1: Spotlight** 1. Press `Cmd + Space` 2. Type `terminal` 3. Press `Enter` **Option 2: Finder** 1. Open Finder 2. Go to Applications → Utilities 3. Double-click "Terminal" **Tip:** Keep Terminal in your Dock for quick access. ### Linux **Most distributions:** - Press `Ctrl + Alt + T` **Or:** Search for "Terminal" in your applications menu. ::: --- ## Essential Commands These are the only commands you need to know to use Claude Code. ### Where Am I? Shows your current folder (directory). ::: {.panel-tabset} ### Windows ``` cd ``` or ``` pwd ``` (in PowerShell) ### Mac / Linux ``` pwd ``` ::: ### List Files See what's in the current folder. ::: {.panel-tabset} ### Windows ``` dir ``` or ``` ls ``` (in PowerShell) ### Mac / Linux ``` ls ``` To see more details: ``` ls -la ``` ::: ### Change Folder Move to a different folder. ::: {.panel-tabset} ### Windows ``` cd Documents ``` Go up one level: ``` cd .. ``` Go to a specific path: ``` cd C:\Users\YourName\Documents\project ``` ### Mac / Linux ``` cd Documents ``` Go up one level: ``` cd .. ``` Go to a specific path: ``` cd /Users/YourName/Documents/project ``` Go to home folder: ``` cd ~ ``` ::: ### Clear the Screen Clean up the terminal when it gets cluttered. ::: {.panel-tabset} ### Windows ``` cls ``` ### Mac / Linux ``` clear ``` ::: --- ## Paths: Finding Your Files A **path** is the address of a file or folder on your computer. ### Examples ::: {.panel-tabset} ### Windows ``` C:\Users\Anna\Documents\data-project\hotels.csv ``` Parts: - `C:` - the drive - `\Users\Anna\Documents\data-project\` - folders - `hotels.csv` - the file ### Mac ``` /Users/Anna/Documents/data-project/hotels.csv ``` Parts: - `/Users/Anna/Documents/data-project/` - folders - `hotels.csv` - the file ### Linux ``` /home/anna/Documents/data-project/hotels.csv ``` Parts: - `/home/anna/Documents/data-project/` - folders - `hotels.csv` - the file ::: ### Tips for Paths - **Spaces in names:** Use quotes: `cd "My Documents"` - **Tab completion:** Type part of a name and press `Tab` to autocomplete - **Drag and drop:** On Mac (and many Windows terminals), you can drag a folder into the terminal to paste its path --- ## Starting Claude Code Once you're in the folder with your data: ``` claude ``` That's it! Claude Code starts and you can begin typing your requests. ### Example Workflow ::: {.panel-tabset} ### Windows (PowerShell) ``` cd C:\Users\Anna\Documents\austrian-hotels claude ``` ### Mac ``` cd ~/Documents/austrian-hotels claude ``` ### Linux ``` cd ~/Documents/austrian-hotels claude ``` ::: --- ## Common Issues ### "Command not found" for `claude` Claude Code isn't installed, or not in your PATH. **Fix:** Follow the [Claude Code install guide](install-cli.html#claude-code) ### "No such file or directory" You typed a path that doesn't exist. **Fix:** 1. Use `ls` (or `dir`) to see what's actually in your folder 2. Check spelling 3. Use Tab completion ### "Permission denied" You don't have access to that folder/file. **Fix:** - Work in your own folder first (for example, `~/Documents` on Mac/Linux or `%USERPROFILE%\Documents` on Windows) - Use `sudo` (Mac/Linux) or Administrator mode (Windows) only when a setup/install step explicitly requires elevated permissions - Avoid running everyday project commands as admin/root unless you know the command needs it --- ## Quick Reference Card | Task | Windows | Mac / Linux | |------|---------|-------------| | Open terminal | `Win` → type `terminal` (or `powershell`) | `Cmd+Space` → type `terminal` | | Where am I? | `cd` or `pwd` (PowerShell) | `pwd` | | List files | `dir` or `ls` (PowerShell) | `ls` | | Change folder | `cd foldername` | `cd foldername` | | Go up | `cd ..` | `cd ..` | | Clear screen | `cls` | `clear` | | Start Claude | `claude` | `claude` | | Exit Claude | type `exit` or `/exit` | type `exit` or `/exit` | --- ## You're Ready! That's all you need. The terminal might feel unfamiliar at first, but after using it a few times with Claude Code, it becomes natural. **Next step:** [Install Claude Code](install-cli.html#claude-code)