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2. Install Claude

Time: 2 min · Goal: Run claude from your terminal.

What you need first

You need a paid Claude plan to use Claude Code. The free Claude.ai plan does not include it. Any one of these works:

  • Claude Pro / Max / Team / Enterprise – sign up at claude.com/pricing. Recommended for individuals and most teams.
  • Anthropic Console account with API credits – console.anthropic.com. Pay-as-you-go.
  • Cloud provider (Bedrock / Vertex AI / Foundry) – usually for enterprise.

Plus:

  • A terminal (see section 1).
  • macOS 13+, Windows 10 (1809+), or Linux (Ubuntu 20+, Debian 10+, Alpine 3.19+).
  • 4 GB+ RAM, internet connection.

Don't want to use a terminal at all? Download the Claude Desktop app – same agent in a regular app window, no terminal needed. The rest of this guide assumes the terminal version.

The big picture

flowchart LR
    A[Open your terminal] --> B[Paste 1 install command]
    B --> C[Restart terminal]
    C --> D[Type 'claude']
    D --> E[Sign in via browser]
    E --> F([Ready to use])
Loading

Step 1 – Paste the install command

On a Mac

Recommended – native installer (auto-updates, no extras to install):

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

If you use Homebrew:

brew install --cask claude-code

Homebrew installs do not auto-update. Run brew upgrade claude-code to get new versions.

On Windows

Recommended – PowerShell native installer:

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

If PowerShell says "running scripts is disabled on this system", run this once and retry:

Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser RemoteSigned

For CMD users (not PowerShell):

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

Not sure which one you're in? PowerShell shows PS C:\Users\You>; CMD shows C:\Users\You> (no PS).

If you use WinGet:

winget install Anthropic.ClaudeCode

Recommended on Windows: also install Git for Windows. Claude Code uses it for some shell features. Optional but smoother.

On Linux / WSL

Same as Mac:

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

Or use the package manager for your distro – see the official guide for apt / dnf / apk repos.

Step 2 – Restart your terminal

Close the terminal window. Open a new one. (This makes sure your computer "sees" the new claude command.)

Step 3 – Run Claude for the first time

In the new terminal, type:

claude

What happens:

sequenceDiagram
    participant You
    participant Terminal as Terminal
    participant Browser
    You->>Terminal: claude
    Terminal->>Browser: opens claude.ai login page
    You->>Browser: sign in (Pro / Max / Team / Console)
    Browser-->>Terminal: ✓ authenticated
    Terminal-->>You: ◆ Welcome to Claude Code
Loading

A browser window opens. Sign in with your Claude account (the one with your paid plan). The browser sends a token back to the terminal. You only do this once per computer.

After signing in:

Terminal

~ $ claude

  ◆ Welcome to Claude Code
  > _

The > is Claude waiting for you to type a question. You're installed and ready.

Press Ctrl+C to exit any time.

Verify it worked

claude --version    # should print a version number
claude doctor       # deeper health check

If something goes wrong

What you see What to do
Mac says "command not found: claude" Close & reopen the terminal. Check which claude.
Windows says "claude is not recognized" Close & reopen PowerShell. Sign out / sign in to Windows so the PATH refreshes.
Windows says "running scripts is disabled" Run Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser RemoteSigned once, then retry.
Windows says "'irm' is not recognized" You're in CMD, not PowerShell – use the CMD command above.
The login keeps looping Run claude logout, then claude again.
"Invalid plan" or no Code access Your Claude.ai account is on the free plan. Upgrade to Pro/Max/Team or use a Console account.
Antivirus blocks the installer (Windows) Allow it – the installer is signed by Anthropic.

Still stuck? Official troubleshooting: code.claude.com/docs/en/troubleshoot-install.

Next: Set up a project →