Installation

How to install Claude Code on your system

title: Installation description: How to install Claude Code on your system

System Requirements

Before installing Claude Code, ensure your system meets these requirements:

• Node.js: Version 18.0 or higher
• Operating System: macOS, Linux, or Windows (via WSL)
• Terminal: A modern terminal emulator

Installation Methods

Using npm (Recommended)

The fastest way to install Claude Code is via npm:

Using Homebrew (macOS)

If you're on macOS and prefer Homebrew:

Using pnpm

For pnpm users:

Verify Installation

After installation, verify that Claude Code is properly installed:

You should see output like:

Authentication

Before using Claude Code, you need to authenticate with your Anthropic account:

This will open a browser window where you can sign in with your Anthropic account. Once authenticated, you're ready to start using Claude Code!

First Run

To start your first Claude Code session:

Or start with a specific prompt:

Updating Claude Code

To update to the latest version:

Or with Homebrew:

Troubleshooting

Command Not Found

If you get a "command not found" error after installation, ensure your global npm bin directory is in your PATH:

Add this line to your shell profile (~/.bashrc, ~/.zshrc, etc.) to make it permanent.

Permission Errors

If you encounter permission errors during installation, you may need to fix npm permissions:

Next Steps

Now that you have Claude Code installed, check out the Quick Start guide to learn the basics.