How to install Claude Code, step by step

Claude Code is Anthropic's agentic coding tool that runs in your terminal and works across your whole repository — reading files, making edits, running commands, and shipping changes. This guide gets you from install to first task.

Product details move fast. Node version requirements, install commands, and plans can change. Always confirm against Anthropic's official docs before relying on specifics here.

Before you start

A terminal and basic comfort running commands.
Node.js installed (Claude Code is distributed via npm). Check with node --version.
A Claude account — a paid plan or API billing, depending on how you sign in.

Step 1 — Confirm Node.js is installed

node --version

If you get a version number, you're set. If not, install Node from nodejs.org (the LTS build) or via your package manager.

Step 2 — Install Claude Code

Install it globally with npm:

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

Then confirm it's on your path:

claude --version

Step 3 — Open your project and sign in

Move into a project folder and launch it:

cd my-project
claude

The first run walks you through signing in. Follow the prompts to authenticate with your Claude account.

Step 4 — Run your first task

Just describe what you want in plain language:

> Add input validation to the signup form and write a test for it

Claude Code explores the relevant files, proposes changes, and asks before running anything with side effects. Review its plan, approve the steps, and it applies them.

Tip: Keep changes reviewable. Work on a branch, and let Claude Code make focused commits so you can read each diff before merging.

Is Claude Code right for you?

It shines on real repositories and larger refactors, and it's most comfortable if you already live in the terminal. Newer to coding, or prefer a visual app? A desktop or browser tool may suit you better.

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