What you need first
Claude Code is an AI that works inside a folder on your own computer. It reads your files, writes code and runs commands, asking you before it changes anything. Let's get it running.
You need three things before you start:
- A paid Claude plan. Claude Code is not part of the Free plan; Pro is the smallest plan that includes it.
- A 64-bit computer: Windows 10 (version 1809 or later) or Windows 11, or macOS 13 or later.
- About 10 minutes, and an internet connection that is not blocked by an office proxy.
Install it on Windows
It takes two steps, both in PowerShell.
Open PowerShell
Press the Windows key, type PowerShell, and open Windows PowerShell. Do not pick the one marked (x86); that is the 32-bit version, and Claude Code needs 64-bit.
Run the installer
Paste this line into PowerShell and press Enter:
When it finishes, close PowerShell and open a new one, so it can find the new command. Then check it:
Your number may be newer; that is fine. What matters is the words (Claude Code). The native installer also keeps Claude Code up to date by itself.
Install it on a Mac
Open Terminal (press Cmd+Space, type Terminal), paste this line and press Enter:
Open a new Terminal window and type claude --version. You should see a version number followed by (Claude Code), as on Windows. Linux works the same way, with the same line.
Sign in and say hello
Claude Code always works inside a folder, so make one first and start it there.
The first time, Claude Code opens your browser to sign in. Sign in with the Claude account that has your Pro plan, then come back to the terminal.
It then asks whether you trust the files in this folder. This is your own empty folder, so choose yes.
Now type /status and press Enter. You should see your account, the model and the version. Type /exit to leave.
Use a folder like C:\code, with no spaces and not inside OneDrive. Synced folders and spaces in paths cause odd errors later.
Check that everything works
Claude Code has a built-in health check. Run it in PowerShell or Terminal, outside a Claude session:
It looks at your installation and tells you if anything needs fixing. If it reports a problem, the next section has the usual fixes.
When the install goes wrong
Read the message first; it usually names the problem. These are the common ones.
| What you see | What it means, and the fix |
|---|---|
| irm is not recognized | You are in Command Prompt, not PowerShell. Open PowerShell and paste the line again. |
| claude is not recognized, or command not found | Close the terminal and open a new one first. If it still fails, the installer's folder is not on your PATH; the fix is below. |
| A 32-bit error | You opened Windows PowerShell (x86). Use the one without (x86). |
| A 403 error, or a certificate error | An office network or proxy is blocking the download. Try a home network or your phone's hotspot. A 403 can also mean Claude Code is not offered in your country yet. |
| The browser sign-in says your plan does not include Claude Code | The account is on the Free plan. Upgrade to Pro, then run /login inside Claude Code. |
If claude is not recognized keeps coming back on Windows, add the installer's folder to your PATH with this line, then open a new PowerShell:
Still stuck? Anthropic's installation troubleshooting page covers the rarer cases.
Ready to build with the series?
In our Claude Code series we build DevPulse, a small activity tracker for developers, from an empty folder to a live web page. To build along, install four free tools too. None of them costs anything.
| Tool | Get it from | Check it with |
|---|---|---|
| Git | git-scm.com, the Git downloads page | git --version |
| Python 3.12 or later | python.org, the Python downloads page (on Windows, tick Add python.exe to PATH) | python --version |
| Node.js 20 or later | nodejs.org, the LTS download | node --version |
| A GitHub account | github.com, the sign-up page | You can sign in on github.com |
On Windows, you can install the first three in one go from PowerShell, if you prefer:
Then open a new PowerShell and run all four checks.
What you should see: four version numbers and no errors. If all four print, you are ready to build.
Ask it one question
The goal: see Claude Code work in a folder before you start the series.
The steps: go to C:\code\hello, run claude, and type: Create a file called hello.txt with one line about what I want to build. Answer its permission question, then open the file.
Guess first: will it create the file straight away, or ask you first?
One question for you: what do you want to build with Claude Code? Keep the answer; we will build with it in the series.
References
Where each step and requirement on this page comes from. Checked on 29 Oct 2026.
- Anthropic — Claude Code quickstart. The native installer commands for Windows (PowerShell) and macOS/Linux, signing in on first launch, and starting in a folder. link
- Anthropic — Troubleshoot installation. claude --version and claude doctor, the install folder (%USERPROFILE%\.local\bin on Windows), PATH, proxy and certificate errors. link
- Anthropic — Terminal guide. Windows 10 version 1809 or later, 64-bit only (not PowerShell x86), macOS 13 or later, PowerShell versus Command Prompt. link
- Anthropic — Claude pricing. Claude Code is not included in the Free plan; Pro is the smallest plan that includes it (checked 28 Oct 2026). link
- Anthropic — Supported countries. A 403 at install or sign-in can mean the service is not offered in your country. link
- My own install — 29 Oct 2026, Windows 11 Pro. claude --version prints 2.1.312 (Claude Code); the program sits in C:\Users\<you>\.local\bin.
New chapters and episodes come out every week. Follow along on YouTube or the WhatsApp channel.