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How to install Claude Code

By AI On Hand · Updated 14 November 2026 · 6 min read

What you need

• A computer: macOS 13 or newer, Windows 10 (1809+) or 11, or Linux (Ubuntu 20.04+, Debian 10+). 4 GB of RAM is enough.
• A Claude account that includes Claude Code: Pro, Max, Team or Enterprise — or an Anthropic Console (API) account. The free plan won't work.
• An internet connection, and about five minutes.
• Optional but recommended: Git. On Windows, installing Git for Windows lets Claude Code use its full set of tools.

Step 1 — Open a terminal

On a Mac, press ⌘ + Space, type Terminal and press Enter. On Windows, open the Start menu and search for PowerShell. On Linux, open your usual terminal.

Step 2 — Run the installer

Copy the line for your system, paste it into the terminal and press Enter. This is the official native installer — it doesn't need Node.js and it keeps itself updated.

Mac, Linux or Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash

Windows PowerShell

irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex

Windows Command Prompt (CMD)

curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.cmd -o install.cmd && install.cmd && del install.cmd

Prefer a package manager?

Homebrew (Mac): brew install --cask claude-code · WinGet (Windows): winget install Anthropic.ClaudeCode · npm (needs Node.js 22+): npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code. Never use sudo with npm. Package-manager installs don't auto-update, so you'll update them yourself.

Step 3 — Check it worked

claude --version

You should see a version number. If anything looks wrong, run claude doctor — it checks your setup without changing anything.

Step 4 — Sign in

Move into the folder you want to work on, then start Claude Code:

cd path/to/your/project
claude

The first time, a browser window opens so you can log in with your Claude account. After that you're in.

Step 5 — Your first task

Just type what you want in plain English. Good first prompts:

• “Explain what this project does.”
• “Find and fix the bug that stops the contact form sending.”
• “Build me a simple landing page for a bakery.”

Claude Code asks before it changes files or runs commands, so you stay in control. Run /init once in each project to create a CLAUDE.md file — notes about your project that Claude reads every session.

Don't like terminals?

You can also use Claude Code through the Claude desktop app (Mac, Windows and Linux), the VS Code and JetBrains extensions, or Claude Code on the web — same assistant, friendlier window.

Common problems and fixes

Problem	Fix
claude: command not found	Close and reopen the terminal. If it still fails, the install folder (~/.local/bin) isn't on your PATH — claude doctor or the installer's message tells you what to add.
“Your plan doesn't include Claude Code”	Upgrade to Pro or higher, or sign in with an Anthropic Console account instead.
npm permission errors	Don't use sudo. Uninstall the npm version and use the native installer above.
Windows: limited tools / Bash errors	Install Git for Windows, or run Claude Code inside WSL.
Blocked at work	Company proxies and firewalls can block the installer or login — ask IT to allow claude.ai and Anthropic's domains.

Updating and uninstalling

The native install updates itself in the background. To update now: claude update. To remove it on Mac/Linux: rm -f ~/.local/bin/claude and rm -rf ~/.local/share/claude. Homebrew, WinGet and npm installs are removed with their own uninstall command.

Frequently asked questions

Is Claude Code free?

No. Claude Code needs a paid Claude plan (Pro, Max, Team or Enterprise) or an Anthropic Console account billed by usage. The free Claude plan doesn't include it.

Does Claude Code work on Windows?

Yes. Install it natively from PowerShell or CMD (Git for Windows recommended), or inside WSL. Administrator rights aren't needed.

Do I need to know how to code?

No, but it helps to understand the basics. You describe what you want in plain English; Claude Code writes and runs the code and asks before changing things. Reviewing its work is still important for anything serious.

Is it safe to let Claude Code edit my files?

By default it asks permission before editing files or running commands. Use Git so you can undo any change, and start in a copy of your project if you're nervous.

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