Getting Started with Claude Code

Choose your platform and get coding with Claude in minutes.

1
System Requirements
2
Install Claude Code
3
Authentication Setup
4
First Project

1System Requirements

Operating System

macOS, Linux, Windows (WSL)

Requirements

Node.js 18+, 4GB RAM

Network

Stable internet connection

Windows Users

Claude Code runs natively on Windows. Git for Windows is required. You can also use WSL.

2Install Claude Code

RecommendedNative Install
macOS / Linux / WSL
curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash
Windows PowerShell
irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex

Auto-updates in background

Homebrew(macOS)
brew install --cask claude-code

Run 'brew upgrade claude-code' to update

WinGet(Windows)
winget install Anthropic.ClaudeCode

Run 'winget upgrade' to update

Account Required

Claude Pro, Max, Teams, Enterprise, or API Console account required

NPM Install (Deprecated)

npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code is no longer recommended. Use the native install methods above.

3Authentication Setup

Start in your project
cd my-project && claude
1

Console

Recommended

2

Pro/Max

Subscription

3

Enterprise

AWS/GCP

4First Project

Understanding your project
claude> summarize this project
Project initialization
claude> /init

Setup Complete!

You're ready to start building with Claude Code.

Next Steps

Learn the CLI

  • β€’ Explore code: 'explain how authentication works in this project'
  • β€’ Edit files: 'add input validation to the signup form'
  • β€’ Run tests: 'run tests and fix any failures'

Explore Features

  • β€’ Deep thinking: 'think deeply about this architecture' or 'ultrathink'
  • β€’ Git automation: 'create a PR for these changes'
  • β€’ Use tools: Claude auto-searches docs, browses the web, and uses MCP servers
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