Installing Claude Code: Your AI Coding Companion

A step-by-step guide to getting Claude Code up and running on your machine — fast, simple, and ready to supercharge your development workflow.

Chapter 1

Getting Started — What You Need

Before diving into the installation, let's make sure your system is ready. This chapter covers everything you need to check off before you begin.

System Requirements: Ready to Code?

Operating System

macOS 13.0+ (Ventura), Windows 10 1809+, or Ubuntu 20.04+ / Debian 10+

RAM

4 GB minimum — more is recommended for larger models and heavier workloads

Network

Stable internet connection required for initial setup and all API calls

Location

Must be situated in an Anthropic-supported country to access the service. As of May 2026, South Africa has been added to the list of Anthropic-supported Countries for Claude.ai and Claude Code.


macOS

Ventura 13.0 or later — fully supported ✅

Windows

Windows 10 build 1809 or later — fully supported ✅

Linux

Ubuntu 20.04+ or Debian 10+ — fully supported ✅

Chapter 2

The Recommended Installation Method — Native Installer

The native installer is the simplest and most reliable way to get Claude Code on your machine. No dependencies, no fuss — just a single command.

Native Installer: The Easiest Path

The native installer handles everything for you automatically:

Downloads a standalone binary — no Node.js required

Automatically adds Claude Code to your system PATH

Configures automatic background updates so you're always current

macOS & Linux

Installation on macOS & Linux

Step 1 — Open Terminal

Launch the Terminal application on your Mac or Linux machine. You can find it via Spotlight (⌘ + Space) or your applications folder.

Step 2 — Run the Installer

Copy and paste the command below, then press Enter:

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

The installer will handle the rest automatically.

Windows — PowerShell

Installation on Windows (PowerShell)

Step 1 — Open PowerShell as Administrator

Right-click the Start menu and select "Windows PowerShell (Admin)" or search for PowerShell and choose "Run as administrator".

Step 2 — Run the Installer

Copy and paste the command below, then press Enter:

irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex
Windows — Command Prompt

Installation on Windows (CMD)

Step 1 — Open Command Prompt

Search for "cmd" in the Start menu and open the Command Prompt application. Administrator privileges are recommended.

Step 2 — Run the Installer

Copy and paste the command below, then press Enter:

curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.cmd -o install.cmd && install.cmd && del install.cmd
Chapter 3

Verification and First Launch

The installer has finished — but how do you know it worked? This chapter walks you through confirming a successful installation and launching Claude Code for the very first time.

Verify Your Installation

01

Open a New Terminal

Always open a fresh terminal window after installation to ensure the PATH is updated correctly.

02

Run the Version Command

Type claude --version and press Enter. A version number should appear without any errors.

03

Confirm Success

If you see a version number displayed, your installation is complete and working correctly. 🎉

Authentication: Connecting to Claude

The first time you run claude, you'll be guided through a quick authentication flow:

1. Launch Claude

Type claude in your terminal and press Enter

2. Browser Opens

Your default browser will open with a login prompt

3. Sign In

Log in with your Anthropic account credentials to complete setup

Chapter 4

Ready to Code!

You're All Set! 🚀

Claude Code is now installed, verified, and authenticated. Your AI-powered coding companion is ready to help you write, debug, and review code like never before.

Write Code

Generate boilerplate, functions, and entire files with natural language prompts

Debug Faster

Describe your bug and let Claude pinpoint the issue and suggest fixes instantly

Learn & Grow

Use Claude as a pair programmer to understand new concepts and best practices

Follow these four steps and you'll have Claude Code running in minutes — your AI coding companion is ready to get to work.