{"id":7037901,"date":"2026-08-11T11:47:59","date_gmt":"2026-08-11T11:47:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/analytics\/how-to-install-claude-code-step-by-step-guide\/"},"modified":"2026-08-11T11:47:59","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T11:47:59","slug":"how-to-install-claude-code-step-by-step-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7037901","title":{"rendered":"How to Install Claude Code: Step-by-Step Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

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You have probably heard by now. Claude Code burns through usage limits!<\/em> But most of us live in the web app\u2026 distant from the terminal app, around which the buzz is about. <\/p>\n

Maybe that was enough to make you curious. Maybe you already knew exactly what it was and just want it running on your machine<\/span>. Either way, this guide is for you.<\/p>\n

In this article, you\u2019ll learn how to install Claude Code<\/mark> from downloading it to running your first command.<\/p>\n

Installation<\/h2>\n

1. <\/strong>Run the install command<\/strong><\/h3>\n

First, open a terminal and run the line for your platform. No administrator rights needed.<\/p>\n

macOS, Linux, WSL<\/strong><\/p>\n

curl -fsSL https:\/\/claude.ai\/install.sh | bash<\/code><\/pre>\n
Windows PowerShell<\/strong><\/p>\n
irm https:\/\/claude.ai\/install.ps1 | iex<\/code><\/pre>\n
Windows CMD<\/strong><\/p>\n
curl -fsSL https:\/\/claude.ai\/install.cmd -o install.cmd && install.cmd && del install.cmd<\/code><\/pre>\n
\n
\"Terminal<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
A successful install. If you got the yellow setup note<\/mark>, that means Step 2 applies to you<\/em>.<\/p>\n
2. (Optional) Add it to your PATH<\/h3>\n
Without this, claude returns \u201ccommand not found\u201d. On Zsh (the macOS default):<\/p>\n
echo 'export PATH=\"$HOME\/.local\/bin:$PATH\"' >> ~\/.zshrc && source ~\/.zshrc<\/code><\/pre>\n
On Bash, swap both ~\/.zshrc<\/em> references for ~\/.bashrc<\/em>. No warning? Skip ahead.<\/p>\n
3. <\/strong>Verify<\/h3>\n
claude --version<\/code><\/pre>\n
Prints a version such as 2.1.226 (Claude Code<\/a>). For fuller diagnostics without starting a session, run claude doctor.<\/p>\n
First Run<\/h2>\n
Move into the project you want to work in, then launch:<\/p>\n
cd ~\/your-project\nclaude<\/code><\/pre>\n
4. <\/strong>Pick a theme<\/h3>\n
Arrow keys, then Enter. Change it later with \/theme<\/code>.<\/p>\n
\n
\"Claude<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
The theme picker, with colourblind-friendly and ANSI-only options.<\/p>\n
5. <\/strong>Choose your login method<\/h3>\n
Have a Claude subscription? Pick option 1 and press Enter. (The three options are compared in Part 3.)<\/p>\n
\n
\"Claude<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
Subscription, Console billing, or a third-party cloud platform.<\/p>\n
6. <\/strong>Authorise in the browser<\/h3>\n
Your browser opens a consent screen. Click Authorize<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
\n
\"Browser<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
The consent screen. What the permissions actually mean is covered in Part 3.<\/p>\n
7. <\/strong>No browser? Use the manual flow<\/h3>\n
On a server, container, or SSH session, Claude Code prints a URL instead. Press c<\/kbd> to copy it, open it anywhere you can browse, and approve the same screen.<\/p>\n
\n
\"Claude<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
The fallback prompt, waiting for a code.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n
\"Redacted
You get a one-time code. Copy it.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
The authentication code (redacted here) is like a password.<\/p>\n
Paste it at the terminal prompt and press Enter. Input is masked as you paste.<\/p>\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
Code pasted and masked.<\/p>\n
8. <\/strong>Check the account, press Enter<\/h3>\n
\n
\"Successful
Confirm the email shown is the account you meant to use<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
9. <\/strong>Accept the terminal settings<\/h3>\n
Choose \u201cYes, use recommended settings<\/em>\u201c. This enables Option<\/kbd>+Enter<\/kbd> for newlines, without it, multi-line prompts send half-written.<\/p>\n
\n
\"Terminal<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
10. <\/strong>Trust the folder<\/h3>\n
Read the path it names, confirm it is yours, then choose \u201cYes, I trust this folder<\/em>\u201c.<\/p>\n
\n
\"Workspace<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
The workspace trust prompt. Make sure you trust the folder you\u2019re giving in all the rights to.<\/p>\n
11. <\/strong>You are in<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Accept the fullscreen renderer if offered and it removes flicker on long responses and adds mouse support. A good features to have for those used to the traditional GUI interface.<\/p>\n
\n
\"Fullscreen<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
The welcome panel: model, account, working directory, recent changes.<\/p>\n
Then type an instruction in plain English and press Enter. Press ?<\/kbd> for shortcuts.<\/p>\n
\n
\"Claude<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
The prompt, ready for work.<\/p>\n
Read more:<\/strong> How to Create Custom Skills in Claude: A Step-by-Step Guide<\/a><\/p>\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n
Installing Claude Code comes down to three moves: <\/p>\n
    \n
  1. one command<\/li>\n
  2. one browser approval<\/li>\n
  3. a wizard you can clear in two minutes<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    Only two screens deserve a careful read, the consent screen, which ties terminal sessions to your usual usage allowance, and the folder trust prompt, which grants access to everything in that directory.<\/p>\n
    Keep the scope narrow from here: launch inside a project, run\u00a0\/init<\/code>\u00a0where you\u2019ll return, and check\u00a0\/usage<\/code>\u00a0early. Do that, and everything else the tool offers builds on the clean install you just finished.<\/p>\n
    Full documentation lives at docs.claude.com\/en\/docs\/claude-code<\/a>.<\/p>\n
    \n
    Q1. Can I use Claude Code on the free plan?<\/strong> <\/p>\n
    A. No, it requires a Pro, Max, Team, Enterprise, or Anthropic Console account with active API billing.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
    Q2. Do I need Node.js installed?<\/strong> <\/p>\n
    A. The native installer includes its own runtime. Only the legacy npm package requires Node.js, specifically version 22 or later.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
    Q33. How do I update it?<\/strong> <\/p>\n
    A. Native installations update automatically. Use \u2018claude update\u2019 to force an update, or use your package manager for Homebrew, WinGet, apt, dnf, or apk installs.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
    Q4. Is there a way to use it without the terminal?<\/strong> <\/p>\n
    A. Yes! The Claude desktop app includes Claude Code with a graphical interface, for macOS, Windows, and Linux.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
    Q5. How do I uninstall it?<\/strong> <\/p>\n
    A. Delete ~\/.local\/bin\/claude<\/em> and ~\/.local\/share\/claude<\/em>. You can also remove ~\/.claude<\/em> to clear your settings, MCP configuration, and session history.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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    Studying, evaluating, and explaining AI systems for over 6 years.<\/p>\n
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