Claude Code Install & Setup

Get started with Claude Code quickly - from install to first run in just minutes

Install & Setup

Get started with Claude Code quickly - from install to first run in just minutes

System Requirements

Operating System

macOS 10.15+
Ubuntu 20.04+/Debian 10+
Windows (via WSL)

Hardware Requirements

Minimum 4GB RAM
Stable internet connection

Software Dependencies

Node.js 18+
git 2.23+ (optional)
GitHub/GitLab CLI (optional)
ripgrep (rg) (optional)

Install by Platform

Select your operating system for specific install instructions

Claude Code macOS Install

Claude Code install on macOS is straightforward

Prerequisites

macOS 10.15 or later
Node.js 18+ installed
Terminal access

Install Node.js

If not already installed, download from nodejs.org or use Homebrew:

brew install node@18

Verify install with 'node --version'

Install Claude Code

Open Terminal and run:

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

If you encounter permission errors, do NOT use sudo

Navigate to Project

Change to your project directory:

cd ~/path/to/your/project

Replace with your actual project path

Launch Claude Code

Start Claude Code:

claude

First run will prompt for authentication

Terminal Optimization

For the best experience with Claude Code on macOS:

Line breaks

Set up Option+Enter for line breaks in Terminal.app:

Open Settings → Profiles → Keyboard
Check 'Use Option as Meta Key'

iTerm2 notifications

For iTerm2 alerts when tasks complete:

Open iTerm2 Preferences
Navigate to Profiles → Terminal
Enable 'Silence bell' and Filter Alerts → 'Send escape sequence-generated alerts'
Set your preferred notification delay

Authentication Options

Recommended

Anthropic Console

Default option, authenticate via OAuth flow

Select Anthropic Console option
Browser automatically opens authentication page
Log in to your Anthropic account
Authorize Claude Code access permissions

Claude App (Max Plan)

Requires Claude Max plan subscription

Ensure Claude Max plan subscription
Select Claude App option
Follow prompts to complete authentication

Enterprise Platform

Configure Amazon Bedrock or Google Vertex AI

Configure AWS Bedrock or Google Vertex AI
Set up corresponding API keys
Select Enterprise Platform option
Enter configuration information

Ready to Get Started?

After install, try running your first Claude Code command

$ claude "summarize this project"

Getting Started Guide Explore Features Command Reference Official Docs

What's Next?

First Steps Guide

Learn the basics

Start with our comprehensive beginner's guide to Claude Code fundamentals.

Read Guide

Command Reference

All available commands

Explore all Claude Code commands and their usage examples.

View Commands

Environment Setup

Advanced configuration

Configure Claude Code for your specific development environment.

Setup Guide

GUI Interfaces & Desktop Applications

Beyond the command line: Explore graphical interfaces, desktop applications, and IDE integrations for Claude Code

✨ Featuring Claudia - The Ultimate Claude Code GUI by Y Combinator startup Asterisk

Official Applications

Claude Desktop

Official

Official desktop application with native experience

Supported Platforms

macOSWindowsLinux

Key Features

Native desktop experience
MCP server support
File upload and analysis
Multi-modal interaction
System notifications

Download Claude Desktop

Claude Mobile

Official

iOS and Android native applications

Supported Platforms

iOSAndroid

Key Features

Voice input support
Image analysis
Conversation sync
Offline reading
Push notifications

Download Claude Mobile

🔥 Featured: GUI for Claude Code

Claudia - Claude Code GUI

Powerful GUI app and toolkit for Claude Code - Create custom agents, manage interactive sessions, run secure background agents

Custom Agent Creation

Session Management

Background Agents

Multi-Platform Support

By Asterisk (Y Combinator)

MIT License • Open Source

View on GitHub Learn More

Built with

Bun + Tauri

Platforms

Windows, macOS, Linux

License

MIT Open Source

Other Third-Party Desktop Applications

Claude3-DesktopClient

Tauri + Rust

Tauri + Rust based desktop client

Features

Cross-platform support
Native performance
Secure and reliable
Fast startup
System tray functionality

View on GitHub

Build Instructions

git clone https://github.com/pliu22/Claude3-DesktopClient
cd Claude3-DesktopClient
cargo tauri build

Tauri-Claude

Tauri + Rust

Lightweight Tauri-based client

Features

Lightweight design
Cross-platform
Native experience
MIT license
Open source

View on GitHub

Build Instructions

npm install
npm run tauri build

Claude-Desktop (Electron)

Electron + Vue.js

Electron + Vue.js based application

Features

Web technology based
Easy to customize
Cross-platform support
Rich UI components
Plugin system

View on GitHub

Build Instructions

npm install
npm run build
npm run electron:build

IDE Integrations

VS Code Extensions

Cline

Popular

Most popular Claude integration for VS Code

• Autonomous programming agent
• File creation and editing
• Terminal command execution
• Browser integration

ext install cline.cline

Claude Dev

Legacy

Original Claude development assistant

• Code generation
• Documentation
• Code review
• Refactoring

ext install claude-dev.claude-dev

Anthropic Claude

Coming Soon

Official extension (planned)

• Official support
• Full feature set
• Regular updates
• Enterprise features

Coming soon...

JetBrains Plugins

Claude Assistant

Available

IntelliJ IDEA integration

• Code completion
• Refactoring
• Documentation
• Code analysis

Install from JetBrains Marketplace

AI Code Helper

Beta

Multi-IDE support

• Cross-IDE compatibility
• Code suggestions
• Error fixing
• Performance tips

Search 'AI Code Helper' in plugins

Vim/Neovim Plugins

claude.nvim

Community

Neovim plugin for Claude integration

• Lua configuration
• Async operations
• Buffer integration
• Custom commands

Plug 'claude-ai/claude.nvim'

Web Interface Solutions

Browser Extensions

Enhance web-based Claude experience

Claude Web Enhancer

Enhanced web functionality

Claude Shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts support

Claude Export

Conversation export features

Self-hosted Solutions

Deploy your own Claude interface

Docker Deployment

Containerized Claude UI

Custom Web UI

Build your own interface

API Integration

Direct API implementation

Self-hosted Docker Example

# Deploy Claude Web UI with Docker
docker run -d \
  -p 3000:3000 \
  -e ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=your_key \
  claude-web-ui

Custom Interface Development

Build your own Claude interface using the API

Code Example

// React Example
import { Anthropic } from '@anthropic-ai/sdk';

const claude = new Anthropic({
  apiKey: process.env.ANTHROPIC_API_KEY,
});

function ChatInterface() {
  const [messages, setMessages] = useState([]);

  const sendMessage = async (content) => {
    const response = await claude.messages.create({
      model: 'claude-3-sonnet-20240229',
      max_tokens: 1024,
      messages: [{ role: 'user', content }]
    });

    setMessages(prev => [...prev, response]);
  };

  return (
    <div className="chat-interface">
      {/* Chat interface components */}
    </div>
  );
}

Best Practices

Responsive design for different screen sizes
Real-time feedback and progress indicators
Keyboard shortcuts for common actions
Dark/light theme support
Accessibility features for screen readers

Choose Your Preferred Interface

From command line to desktop apps, find the perfect way to interact with Claude Code

Try Claudia GUI Claude Desktop Command Line

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Claude Code and how it can transform your development workflow.

Claude Code on the web is a browser-based workspace that provides the full power of Claude Code without installation. Connect your GitHub account to instantly start coding with AI assistance, isolated environments, and live progress tracking.

Key Features

No Installation Required: Works directly in your browser - no downloads, no setup, no configuration files.
Seamless GitHub Integration: Connect your GitHub account to access repositories, create branches, and push changes - all from the browser.
Isolated Managed Environments: Each project runs in a secure, isolated environment with automatic dependency management and sandboxing.
Live Progress Tracking: Watch Claude Code work in real-time with live terminal output, file changes, and build progress.

How It Works

Connect GitHub: Authorize Claude Code to access your GitHub repositories with fine-grained permissions.
Select Repository: Choose an existing repo or start a new project. Claude Code automatically sets up the development environment.
Start Coding: Give Claude instructions in natural language. Watch as it analyzes code, makes changes, and runs tests.
Push to GitHub: Review changes, create branches, and push commits directly to GitHub - all from the browser interface.

Why Use the Web Version?

Access your projects from any device with a browser - no local setup required
Share live sessions with teammates for pair programming and code reviews
Run multiple concurrent jobs across different projects simultaneously
Enterprise-grade sandboxing keeps your code and credentials secure
Same environment everywhere - no "works on my machine" issues

Web vs CLI

Both versions offer the same AI capabilities, but differ in workflow:

Web Version

Browser-based, accessible anywhere
Visual interface with live progress
Built-in GitHub integration
Managed environments (no local setup)
Best for: Quick tasks, collaboration, multi-project work

CLI Version

Local installation, works offline
Terminal-based workflow
Direct filesystem access
Your own dev environment
Best for: Deep work, existing local projects, advanced customization

Get Started

Visit claude.ai/code and connect your GitHub account to start coding with AI assistance in seconds.

Available for Claude Pro, Team, and Enterprise plans.

Claude Skills packages workflows and best practices into reusable skill modules that Claude automatically loads when needed, while MCP (Model Context Protocol) connects Claude to external data and tools.

Claude Skills = A folder (ZIP install) containing workflow documentation, examples, optional scripts, and reference files. Claude automatically recognizes and enables relevant skills for related tasks. Available for Pro/Max/Team/Enterprise with Code Execution/Claude Code or API capabilities.

Solidifies reusable processes like "AP style reports", "brand-compliant presentations", or "Excel formula batch cleanup" into modules, reducing repetitive prompting for more stable and consistent outputs.

MCP (Model Context Protocol) = An open protocol where MCP servers expose data or tools (local files, databases, search, internal APIs), connected by MCP clients (like Claude/Claude Code/your apps).

Standardizes how models call external systems, reducing custom integration code.

Skills vs MCP Comparison

Dimension	Claude Skills	MCP
Essence	Workflow/knowledge packages (how to do things right)	Connection/integration layer (how to get data/call tools)
Typical Content	Standards, examples, checklists, lightweight scripts, resource files	Search, databases, SaaS, internal APIs, command-line tools, etc.
Trigger Method	Claude auto-loads appropriate skills based on context	Apps connect and call tools via MCP
Suitable For	Non-engineering roles (business/content/ops/legal/marketing) can write and reuse	Engineering/platform teams build unified tool and permission governance
Value Focus	Improves consistency, quality, and speed (reduces "prompt engineering" back-and-forth)	Provides reusable, governable integration capabilities
Setup Barrier	Low: write Markdown + place resources, add lightweight scripts if needed	Medium: need to deploy/integrate MCP servers and permissions
Best Practice	Create a Skills library for each high-frequency scenario (brand, legal, spreadsheets, etc.)	Connect company data and tools into MCP "bus"
Relationship	Can call MCP-exposed tools to complete workflows	Provides external actions and data for Skills

Use Cases:

Use Skills when: You want to standardize fixed workflows (brand copywriting, legal clauses, Excel cleanup templates, blog publishing SOPs). Skills solidify "how-to" knowledge for reproducible, auditable outputs.

Use MCP when: Claude needs to access external systems (Git repos, internal search, databases, Playwright automation, Cloudflare API, etc.). MCP connects tools, then Skills teach Claude how to properly use these tools.

Team Rollout Order:

Platform/DevOps first connect common systems as MCP catalog (unified permissions/audit).
Business lines deposit Skills (processes and standards).
Distribute and manage versions uniformly in Claude/Claude Code (enterprise/team editions support).

Simple Analogy:

Skills = Instruction Manual + Examples + Small Tools (processes and standardization).
MCP = Adapter Bus (connecting a bunch of external systems to Claude).
Use Together: First connect (MCP), then teach (Skills), so Claude can both know how and have the ability.

Claude Code is a revolutionary AI-powered coding tool that serves as your intelligent pair programming assistant powered by Claude Opus 4.1 and Claude Sonnet 4.5. Designed for modern organizations committed to software development, enabling you to code faster and smarter than ever before.

Unlike traditional code assistants, Claude Code understands your entire codebase context, can make complex edits across multiple files, and follows your natural language instructions with remarkable accuracy.

Sonnet 4.5 is the latest AI model powering Claude Code 2.0, representing a major breakthrough in autonomous coding capabilities:

Extended Autonomy: Can work continuously for ~30 hours (up from ~7 hours), enabling complex multi-day tasks
Enhanced Agent Reasoning: Superior ability to plan, execute, and self-correct during long-running development tasks
Better Code Understanding: Stronger performance on coding benchmarks and complex refactoring operations
Improved Computer Use: More reliable interaction with development tools and environments
Long-Duration Reliability: Maintains quality and consistency even in extended coding sessions

Released alongside Claude Code 2.0, Sonnet 4.5 enables the rewindable checkpoints and IDE-native features that make autonomous development safer and more practical. Learn more about /blog/claude-code-2-0.

Claude Code 2.0 introduced a native VS Code extension that brings AI assistance directly into your editor. Here's how to get started:

Install the Extension: Search for "Claude Code" in the VS Code marketplace or visit the VS Code Extension Marketplace
Authenticate: Sign in with your Claude account (requires Max subscription for beta access)
Open the Sidebar: Click the Claude icon in the VS Code activity bar to open the assistant panel
Start Coding: Describe what you want to build or change in natural language
Review Changes: Claude will show inline diffs with proposed changes directly in your editor
Accept or Rewind: Use the accept button or press Esc Esc to undo changes

Key Features in VS Code:

Real-time inline diffs showing exactly what will change
Sidebar chat for continuous collaboration with Claude
Auto-checkpoints before every change for safe experimentation
Seamless integration with your existing VS Code workflow
No need to switch between terminal and editor

Check out our /blog/claude-code-2-0 for detailed instructions and best practices.

Claude Code transforms your development workflow by providing intelligent assistance throughout the entire development process:

Code Understanding: Claude Code can analyze and understand your entire codebase, including dependencies, architecture, and patterns.
Efficient Coding: Write code faster with intelligent suggestions and auto-completions that understand your project context.
Debugging Support: Get help identifying and fixing bugs with contextual understanding of your code.
Refactoring Assistance: Safely refactor code with intelligent suggestions for improvements.
Documentation Generation: Create high-quality documentation for your code automatically.
Learning and Skill Development: Learn new programming concepts, frameworks, and best practices directly in your coding environment.

Claude Code offers a comprehensive set of powerful features designed to enhance every aspect of your development experience:

Intelligent Code Understanding: Deep semantic analysis of your codebase with context-aware suggestions
Real-time Collaboration: Seamless pair programming experience with your AI assistant
Full-stack Development Support: Assistance across all languages and frameworks
Semantic Code Search: Find relevant code by describing functionality in natural language
Live Code Editing: Get intelligent suggestions while you write code
Project-wide Refactoring: Safely improve your codebase with comprehensive changes
Database Design: Get help designing and optimizing database schemas
API Development: Assistance creating and documenting APIs
Git Integration: Seamless integration with version control workflows
MCP Protocol Support: Advanced multi-agent collaboration features

Getting started with Claude Code is simple. Follow these steps:

Connect Your Repository: Link Claude Code to your Git repository or local development environment
Describe Your Task: Tell Claude Code what you need help with using natural language
Review & Collaborate: Work with Claude as it provides intelligent suggestions and code edits

Claude Code seamlessly integrates with your existing development workflow and tools. Check out our /install for detailed instructions for your specific environment.

Yes, Claude Code is built with security as a foundational principle. We implement enterprise-grade security measures to protect your code and intellectual property:

Local Processing Options: Code can be processed locally without leaving your environment
End-to-End Encryption: All data in transit is encrypted using industry-standard protocols
Data Isolation: Your code is processed in isolated environments
No Training on Your Code: We never use your proprietary code to train our models
SOC 2 Compliance: Our infrastructure follows strict security standards
Access Controls: Granular permission settings for team environments

Our secure integration ensures that your codebase remains protected while still benefiting from AI assistance.

Absolutely! Claude Code excels at real-time processing and problem-solving. It can:

Analyze code issues as you type and suggest improvements
Help debug complex problems by understanding the full context
Suggest optimizations for performance bottlenecks
Provide immediate assistance for coding challenges
Help implement new features based on your specifications
Generate test cases to verify your solutions

Claude Code's real-time capabilities make it an invaluable partner for tackling difficult programming challenges and accelerating your development process.

Claude Code supports a comprehensive range of programming languages and technologies, including:

Programming Languages:

JavaScript/TypeScript
Python
Java
C/C++
C#
Go
Rust
Ruby
PHP
Swift
Kotlin

Web Technologies:

React
Angular
Vue
Next.js
HTML/CSS
Tailwind CSS
SASS/LESS

Backends & Databases:

Node.js
Django
Flask
Spring
SQL (various dialects)
MongoDB
GraphQL

Claude Code's language support is continuously expanding, and it can also help with configuration files, build scripts, and documentation in various formats.

Claude Code distinguishes itself from other AI coding assistants in several key ways:

Whole Codebase Understanding: Unlike most assistants that only see snippets, Claude Code can understand your entire project's context.
Advanced Reasoning: Powered by Claude Opus 4.1 and Claude Sonnet 4.5, our assistant has superior reasoning capabilities for complex coding tasks.
Multi-file Edits: Can make coordinated changes across multiple files to implement features or fixes.
Human-like Collaboration: Works more like a human pair programmer with natural conversation and explanations.
Learning Your Style: Adapts to your coding style and preferences over time.
MCP Protocol: Supports Multi-agent Collaboration Protocol for more sophisticated workflows.

While other AI coding tools offer helpful suggestions, Claude Code functions as a true collaborator that understands your project goals and can help implement complex features from start to finish. See our /comparison to learn more.

Yes, Claude Code is an excellent learning companion for programmers at all skill levels:

Provides contextual explanations of code concepts as you work
Can generate example code to demonstrate programming patterns
Offers interactive tutorials for learning new frameworks or languages
Suggests best practices and improvements to your code
Can simplify complex documentation into practical examples
Answers questions about how to implement specific features

Claude Code bridges the gap between theory and practice by providing real-time guidance in your actual coding environment, making it easier to apply new concepts immediately in your projects. Explore our /guides for structured learning paths.

Need More Help?

Can't find what you're looking for? Check out our documentation or get in touch.

View Documentation Case Studies