Install Claude Code

When you're done, you'll be able to type claude in Terminal and talk to an AI that can create and change files on your computer. It takes about 10 minutes.

1Step 1: Before you start

You need two things:

• Your computer set up. On a Mac, that's Set up a Mac: Terminal open, and a Projects folder.
• A paid Claude plan. Pro ($20 a month) is enough to start and is what these guides use. Max (from $100 a month) gives you more usage if you end up using it all day. The free plan doesn't include Claude Code. Check current prices at claude.com/pricing.

Already pay for Claude to chat on claude.ai? It's the same account. You don't need a second subscription.

A quick aside: Anthropic also makes a desktop app with a Code tab that runs Claude Code without Terminal. If you're curious, you can download it here. We don't support it on this site, though. Every guide and video here uses Terminal, because that's how developers work, so the steps won't match the app.

2Step 2: Install it

Open Terminal, paste this line, and press Return:

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

Text scrolls by for a few seconds. When it's done, you'll see:

Claude Code successfully installed!

Claude Code updates itself from now on. You never have to reinstall it to get new features.

3Step 3: Check that it worked

Close Terminal, open a new Terminal window, and run:

claude --version

You should see a version number followed by (Claude Code), something like:

2.1.211 (Claude Code)

Your number will be different. Any number means it worked.

4Step 4: Start it and log in

Go into your Projects folder and start Claude:

cd ~/Projects

claude

The first time, Claude Code walks you through a short setup:

1. A couple of setup questions, like which color theme you prefer. Pick whatever you like. You can change it later.
2. Log in. Choose your Claude account (the one with your Pro or Max plan). Your browser opens a Claude page. Click to approve.
3. Back in Terminal, you'll see Login successful. Press Return to continue.
4. It may ask whether you trust the files in this folder. Your Projects folder is yours, so say yes.

If your browser doesn't open by itself, press c in Terminal to copy the login link, then paste it into your browser.

Now you're looking at Claude Code. There's a box at the bottom where you type. Try a question to make sure everything works:

In one sentence, what kinds of things can you help me build?

Press Return and Claude answers. Nothing on your computer changes from a question like that.

5Step 5: The five controls you need

Claude Code runs entirely in text. You can't click inside it. These five controls are all you need:

Type /exit now. You'll start it again in the next guide.

6Step 6: One safety rule

On Pro and Max plans, Claude Code starts in Auto mode. That means it creates and changes files, and runs commands, in the folder you started it in, usually without stopping to ask you. A safety check runs in the background and blocks risky actions, but it isn't the same as you approving each step.

So here's the rule:

Always start Claude inside the folder for the project you're working on. Never start it in your home folder, where your Documents and Downloads live.

Every guide on this site tells you which folder to be in before you type claude.

Want Claude to ask before every change while you're learning? Press Shift + Tab until the bottom of the screen says Manual. You can switch back any time.