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Quickstart

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Documentation Index

Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://code.claude.com/docs/llms.txt Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

Quickstart

Welcome to Claude Code!

export const InstallConfigurator = ({defaultSurface = 'terminal'}) => { const TERM = { mac: { label: 'macOS / Linux', cmd: 'curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash' }, win: { label: 'Windows' }, brew: { label: 'Homebrew', cmd: 'brew install --cask claude-code' }, winget: { label: 'WinGet', cmd: 'winget install Anthropic.ClaudeCode' } }; const WIN_VARIANTS = { ps: 'irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex', cmd: 'curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.cmd -o install.cmd && install.cmd && del install.cmd' }; const TABS = [{ key: 'terminal', label: 'Terminal' }, { key: 'desktop', label: 'Desktop' }, { key: 'vscode', label: 'VS Code' }, { key: 'jetbrains', label: 'JetBrains' }]; const ALT_TARGETS = { desktop: { name: 'Desktop', tagline: 'The full agent in a native app for macOS and Windows.', installLabel: 'Download the app', installHref: 'https://claude.com/download?utm_source=claude_code&utm_medium=docs&utm_content=configurator_desktop_download', guideHref: '/en/desktop-quickstart' }, vscode: { name: 'VS Code', tagline: 'Review diffs, manage context, and chat without leaving your editor.', installLabel: 'Install from Marketplace', installHref: 'https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=anthropic.claude-code', altCmd: 'code --install-extension anthropic.claude-code', guideHref: '/en/vs-code' }, jetbrains: { name: 'JetBrains', tagline: 'Native plugin for IntelliJ, PyCharm, WebStorm, and other JetBrains IDEs.', installLabel: 'Install from Marketplace', installHref: 'https://plugins.jetbrains.com/plugin/27310-claude-code-beta-', guideHref: '/en/jetbrains' } }; const PROVIDERS = [{ key: 'anthropic', label: 'Anthropic' }, { key: 'bedrock', label: 'Amazon Bedrock' }, { key: 'foundry', label: 'Microsoft Foundry' }, { key: 'vertex', label: 'Google Vertex AI' }]; const PROVIDER_NOTICE = { bedrock: <> Configure your AWS account first. Running on Bedrock requires model access enabled in the AWS console and IAM credentials.{' '} Bedrock setup guide → </>, vertex: <> Configure your GCP project first. Running on Vertex AI requires the Vertex API enabled and a service account with the right permissions.{' '} Vertex setup guide → </>, foundry: <> Configure your Azure resources first. Running on Microsoft Foundry requires an Azure subscription with a Foundry resource and model deployments provisioned.{' '} Foundry setup guide → </> }; const iconCheck = (size = 14) => ; const iconCopy = (size = 14) => ; const iconArrowRight = (size = 13) => ; const iconArrowUpRight = (size = 14) => ; const iconInfo = (size = 16) => ; const [target, setTarget] = useState(defaultSurface); const [team, setTeam] = useState(false); const [provider, setProvider] = useState('anthropic'); const [pkg, setPkg] = useState(() => (/Win/).test(navigator.userAgent) ? 'win' : 'mac'); const [winCmd, setWinCmd] = useState(false); const [copied, setCopied] = useState(null); const copyTimer = useRef(null); const handleCopy = async (text, key) => { try { await navigator.clipboard.writeText(text); } catch { const ta = document.createElement('textarea'); ta.value = text; document.body.appendChild(ta); ta.select(); document.execCommand('copy'); document.body.removeChild(ta); } clearTimeout(copyTimer.current); setCopied(key); copyTimer.current = setTimeout(() => setCopied(null), 1800); }; const cardBodyCmd = (cmd, prompt) => { const on = copied === 'term'; return

{prompt || '$'}
{cmd}
; }; const isWinInstaller = pkg === 'win'; const isWinPrompt = pkg === 'win' || pkg === 'winget'; const terminalCmd = isWinInstaller ? WIN_VARIANTS[winCmd ? 'cmd' : 'ps'] : TERM[pkg].cmd; const alt = ALT_TARGETS[target]; const showNotice = team && provider !== 'anthropic'; const STYLES = ` .cc-ic { --ic-slate: #141413; --ic-clay: #d97757; --ic-clay-deep: #c6613f; --ic-gray-000: #ffffff; --ic-gray-150: #f0eee6; --ic-gray-550: #73726c; --ic-gray-700: #3d3d3a; --ic-border-subtle: rgba(31, 30, 29, 0.08); --ic-border-default: rgba(31, 30, 29, 0.15); --ic-border-strong: rgba(31, 30, 29, 0.3); --ic-font-mono: ui-monospace, SFMono-Regular, Menlo, Monaco, 'Courier New', monospace; font-family: 'Anthropic Sans', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; color: var(--ic-slate); margin: 8px 0 32px; } .dark .cc-ic { --ic-slate: #f0eee6; --ic-gray-000: #262624; --ic-gray-150: #1f1e1d; --ic-gray-550: #91908a; --ic-gray-700: #bfbdb4; --ic-border-subtle: rgba(240, 238, 230, 0.08); --ic-border-default: rgba(240, 238, 230, 0.14); --ic-border-strong: rgba(240, 238, 230, 0.28); } .dark .cc-ic-check { background: transparent; } .dark .cc-ic-card { border: 0.5px solid var(--ic-border-subtle); } .dark .cc-ic-p-pill.cc-ic-active { box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3); } .cc-ic , .cc-ic ::before, .cc-ic *::after { box-sizing: border-box; } .cc-ic a { text-decoration: none; } .cc-ic a:not([class]) { color: inherit; } .cc-ic button { font-family: inherit; cursor: pointer; }

.cc-ic-tab-strip { display: inline-flex; gap: 2px; padding: 4px; background: var(--ic-gray-150); border-radius: 10px; overflow-x: auto; max-width: 100%; } .cc-ic-tab { appearance: none; background: none; border: none; padding: 10px 18px; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 430; color: var(--ic-gray-550); border-radius: 7px; white-space: nowrap; transition: color 0.12s, background-color 0.12s; } .cc-ic-tab:hover { color: var(--ic-gray-700); } .cc-ic-tab.cc-ic-active { color: var(--ic-slate); font-weight: 500; background: var(--ic-gray-000); box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.08); } .dark .cc-ic-tab.cc-ic-active { box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4); }

.cc-ic-team-wrap { padding: 16px 0 20px; } .cc-ic-team-toggle { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 12px; font-family: inherit; padding: 12px 16px; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 430; color: var(--ic-gray-700); cursor: pointer; user-select: none; width: fit-content; background: var(--ic-gray-150); border: 0.5px solid var(--ic-border-subtle); border-radius: 8px; transition: border-color 0.15s; } .cc-ic-team-toggle:hover { border-color: var(--ic-border-default); } .cc-ic-team-toggle.cc-ic-checked { background: rgba(217, 119, 87, 0.08); border-color: rgba(217, 119, 87, 0.25); } .cc-ic-check { width: 16px; height: 16px; border: 1px solid var(--ic-border-strong); border-radius: 4px; background: var(--ic-gray-000); display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; flex-shrink: 0; } .cc-ic-check svg { color: #fff; display: none; } .cc-ic-team-toggle.cc-ic-checked .cc-ic-check { background: var(--ic-clay-deep); border-color: var(--ic-clay-deep); } .cc-ic-team-toggle.cc-ic-checked .cc-ic-check svg { display: block; }

.cc-ic-team-reveal { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 12px; margin-bottom: 16px; } .cc-ic-sales { display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: space-between; gap: 16px; padding: 14px 16px; background: var(--ic-gray-000); border: 0.5px solid var(--ic-border-default); border-radius: 8px; flex-wrap: wrap; } .cc-ic-sales-text { font-size: 13px; color: var(--ic-gray-700); line-height: 1.5; flex: 1; min-width: 200px; } .cc-ic-sales-text strong { font-weight: 550; color: var(--ic-slate); } .cc-ic-sales-actions { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 8px; flex-shrink: 0; } .cc-ic-btn-clay { display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 8px; background: var(--ic-clay-deep); color: #fff; border: none; border-radius: 8px; padding: 8px 14px; font-size: 13px; font-weight: 500; transition: background-color 0.15s; white-space: nowrap; } .cc-ic-btn-clay:hover { background: var(--ic-clay); } .cc-ic-btn-ghost { display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 8px; background: transparent; color: var(--ic-gray-700); border: 0.5px solid var(--ic-border-default); border-radius: 8px; padding: 8px 14px; font-size: 13px; font-weight: 500; } .cc-ic-btn-ghost:hover { background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.04); }

.cc-ic-provider-bar { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 12px; padding: 14px 16px; background: var(--ic-gray-150); border-radius: 8px; font-size: 13px; flex-wrap: wrap; } .cc-ic-provider-bar .cc-ic-label { color: var(--ic-gray-550); flex-shrink: 0; } .cc-ic-provider-pills { display: flex; gap: 4px; flex-wrap: wrap; } .cc-ic-p-pill { appearance: none; border: none; background: transparent; padding: 6px 12px; border-radius: 6px; font-size: 13px; font-weight: 430; color: var(--ic-gray-700); white-space: nowrap; } .cc-ic-p-pill:hover { background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.04); } .cc-ic-p-pill.cc-ic-active { background: var(--ic-gray-000); color: var(--ic-slate); font-weight: 500; box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); } .cc-ic-provider-notice { display: flex; padding: 16px 18px; background: var(--ic-gray-000); border: 0.5px solid var(--ic-border-default); border-radius: 8px; gap: 14px; align-items: flex-start; } .cc-ic-provider-notice > svg { color: var(--ic-gray-550); margin-top: 2px; flex-shrink: 0; } .cc-ic-provider-notice-body { font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.55; color: var(--ic-gray-700); } .cc-ic-provider-notice-body strong { font-weight: 550; color: var(--ic-slate); } .cc-ic-provider-notice-body a { color: var(--ic-clay-deep); font-weight: 500; } .cc-ic-provider-notice-body a:hover { text-decoration: underline; }

.cc-ic-card { background: #141413; border-radius: 12px; overflow: hidden; } .cc-ic-subtabs { display: flex; align-items: center; background: #1a1918; border-bottom: 0.5px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08); padding: 0 8px; overflow-x: auto; } .cc-ic-subtab { appearance: none; background: none; border: none; padding: 12px 16px; font-size: 12px; color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5); position: relative; white-space: nowrap; } .cc-ic-subtab:hover { color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.75); } .cc-ic-subtab.cc-ic-active { color: #fff; } .cc-ic-subtab.cc-ic-active::after { content: ''; position: absolute; left: 12px; right: 12px; bottom: -0.5px; height: 2px; background: var(--ic-clay); } .cc-ic-shell-switch { display: inline-flex; gap: 2px; margin: 14px 26px 0; padding: 3px; background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.06); border: 0.5px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08); border-radius: 8px; font-family: inherit; } .cc-ic-shell-option { font: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 500; padding: 5px 12px; border-radius: 6px; background: transparent; border: none; color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.55); cursor: pointer; user-select: none; white-space: nowrap; transition: color 120ms ease, background-color 120ms ease; } .cc-ic-shell-option:hover { color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.85); } .cc-ic-shell-option.cc-ic-active { background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.12); color: #fff; box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.25); }

.cc-ic-card-body { padding: 24px 26px; display: flex; align-items: flex-start; gap: 14px; } .cc-ic-prompt { color: var(--ic-clay); font-family: var(--ic-font-mono); font-size: 17px; user-select: none; padding-top: 2px; } .cc-ic-cmd { flex: 1; font-family: var(--ic-font-mono); font-size: 17px; color: #f0eee6; line-height: 1.55; white-space: pre-wrap; word-break: break-word; } .cc-ic-copy { display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 6px; background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08); border: 0.5px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.12); color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.85); padding: 7px 13px; border-radius: 8px; font-size: 13px; font-weight: 500; flex-shrink: 0; } .cc-ic-copy:hover { background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.14); } .cc-ic-copy.cc-ic-copied { background: var(--ic-clay-deep); border-color: var(--ic-clay-deep); color: #fff; }

.cc-ic-below { margin-top: 12px; font-size: 13px; color: var(--ic-gray-550); display: flex; gap: 16px; flex-wrap: wrap; align-items: baseline; } .cc-ic-below a { color: var(--ic-gray-700); border-bottom: 0.5px solid var(--ic-border-default); } .cc-ic-below a:hover { color: var(--ic-clay-deep); border-bottom-color: var(--ic-clay-deep); } .cc-ic-handoff { padding: 22px 24px; background: linear-gradient(180deg, #faf9f4 0%, #f3f1e9 100%); border: 0.5px solid var(--ic-border-default); border-radius: 12px; box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(31, 30, 29, 0.04), 0 6px 16px -4px rgba(31, 30, 29, 0.06); } .dark .cc-ic-handoff { background: linear-gradient(180deg, #262624 0%, #1f1e1d 100%); box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3), 0 6px 16px -4px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4); } .cc-ic-handoff-title { font-size: 16px; font-weight: 550; color: var(--ic-slate); letter-spacing: -0.01em; margin-bottom: 4px; } .cc-ic-handoff-sub { font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; color: var(--ic-gray-700); margin-bottom: 18px; } .cc-ic-handoff-actions { display: flex; gap: 10px; flex-wrap: wrap; } .cc-ic-handoff-alt { margin-top: 12px; font-size: 12px; color: var(--ic-gray-550); } .cc-ic-handoff-alt code { font-family: var(--ic-font-mono); font-size: 11px; background: var(--ic-gray-150); padding: 2px 6px; border-radius: 4px; color: var(--ic-gray-700); } .cc-ic-copy-sm { appearance: none; border: none; display: inline-flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; width: 22px; height: 22px; margin-left: 4px; vertical-align: middle; background: var(--ic-gray-150); color: var(--ic-gray-550); border-radius: 4px; transition: color 0.1s, background-color 0.1s; } .cc-ic-copy-sm:hover { color: var(--ic-gray-700); background: var(--ic-border-default); } .cc-ic-copy-sm.cc-ic-copied { background: var(--ic-clay-deep); color: #fff; }

@media (max-width: 720px) { .cc-ic-tab { padding: 12px 14px; font-size: 14px; } .cc-ic-sales-actions { width: 100%; } .cc-ic-card-body { padding: 20px; } .cc-ic-cmd { font-size: 15px; } } `; return 

  {}
  <div className="cc-ic-tab-strip" role="tablist">
    {TABS.map(t => <button key={t.key} type="button" role="tab" aria-selected={target === t.key} className={'cc-ic-tab' + (target === t.key ? ' cc-ic-active' : '')} onClick={() => setTarget(t.key)}>
        {t.label}
      </button>)}
  </div>

  {}
  <div className="cc-ic-team-wrap">
    <button type="button" role="switch" aria-checked={team} className={'cc-ic-team-toggle' + (team ? ' cc-ic-checked' : '')} onClick={() => setTeam(!team)}>
      <span className="cc-ic-check">{iconCheck(11)}</span>
      <span>
        I’m buying for a team or company (SSO, AWS/Azure/GCP, central billing)
      </span>
    </button>
  </div>

  {}
  {team && <div className="cc-ic-team-reveal">
      <div className="cc-ic-sales">
        <div className="cc-ic-sales-text">
          <strong>Set up your team:</strong> self-serve or talk to sales.
        </div>
        <div className="cc-ic-sales-actions">
          <a href="https://claude.ai/upgrade?initialPlanType=team&amp;utm_source=claude_code&amp;utm_medium=docs&amp;utm_content=configurator_team_get_started" className="cc-ic-btn-ghost">
            Get started
          </a>
          <a href="https://www.anthropic.com/contact-sales?utm_source=claude_code&amp;utm_medium=docs&amp;utm_content=configurator_team_contact_sales" className="cc-ic-btn-clay">
            Contact sales {iconArrowRight()}
          </a>
        </div>
      </div>

      <div className="cc-ic-provider-bar">
        <span className="cc-ic-label">Run on</span>
        <div className="cc-ic-provider-pills" role="radiogroup" aria-label="Provider">
          {PROVIDERS.map(p => <button key={p.key} type="button" role="radio" aria-checked={provider === p.key} className={'cc-ic-p-pill' + (provider === p.key ? ' cc-ic-active' : '')} onClick={() => setProvider(p.key)}>
              {p.label}
            </button>)}
        </div>
      </div>

      {showNotice && <div className="cc-ic-provider-notice">
          {iconInfo()}
          <div className="cc-ic-provider-notice-body">
            {PROVIDER_NOTICE[provider]}
          </div>
        </div>}
    </div>}

  {}
  {target === 'terminal' && <div className="cc-ic-card">
      <div className="cc-ic-subtabs" role="tablist" aria-label="Install method">
        {Object.keys(TERM).map(k => <button key={k} type="button" role="tab" aria-selected={pkg === k} className={'cc-ic-subtab' + (pkg === k ? ' cc-ic-active' : '')} onClick={() => setPkg(k)}>
            {TERM[k].label}
          </button>)}
      </div>
      {isWinInstaller && <div className="cc-ic-shell-switch" role="tablist" aria-label="Shell">
          {[{
k: 'ps',
label: 'PowerShell'

}, { k: 'cmd', label: 'CMD' }].map(({k, label}) => { const active = k === 'cmd' === winCmd; return ; })}

} {cardBodyCmd(terminalCmd, isWinPrompt ? '>' : '$')} }

  {}
  {target === 'terminal' && <div className="cc-ic-below">
      {isWinInstaller && <span>
          Requires{' '}
          <a href="https://git-scm.com/downloads/win" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
            Git for Windows
          </a>.
        </span>}
      {(pkg === 'brew' || pkg === 'winget') && <span>
          Does not auto-update. Run{' '}
          <code>{pkg === 'brew' ? 'brew upgrade claude-code' : 'winget upgrade Anthropic.ClaudeCode'}</code>{' '}
          periodically.
        </span>}
      <a href="/en/troubleshooting">Troubleshooting</a>
    </div>}

  {alt && <div className="cc-ic-handoff">
      <div className="cc-ic-handoff-title">Claude Code for {alt.name}</div>
      <div className="cc-ic-handoff-sub">{alt.tagline}</div>
      <div className="cc-ic-handoff-actions">
        <a href={alt.installHref} className="cc-ic-btn-clay" {...alt.installHref.startsWith('http') ? {
target: '_blank',
rel: 'noopener'

} : {}}> {alt.installLabel} {iconArrowUpRight(13)} {alt.name} guide {iconArrowRight(12)} {alt.altCmd &&

or run {alt.altCmd}
} } ; };

export const Experiment = ({flag, treatment, children}) => { const VID_KEY = 'exp_vid'; const CONSENT_COUNTRIES = new Set(['AT', 'BE', 'BG', 'HR', 'CY', 'CZ', 'DK', 'EE', 'FI', 'FR', 'DE', 'GR', 'HU', 'IE', 'IT', 'LV', 'LT', 'LU', 'MT', 'NL', 'PL', 'PT', 'RO', 'SK', 'SI', 'ES', 'SE', 'RE', 'GP', 'MQ', 'GF', 'YT', 'BL', 'MF', 'PM', 'WF', 'PF', 'NC', 'AW', 'CW', 'SX', 'FO', 'GL', 'AX', 'GB', 'UK', 'AI', 'BM', 'IO', 'VG', 'KY', 'FK', 'GI', 'MS', 'PN', 'SH', 'TC', 'GG', 'JE', 'IM', 'CA', 'BR', 'IN']); const fnv1a = s => { let h = 0x811c9dc5; for (let i = 0; i < s.length; i++) { h ^= s.charCodeAt(i); h += (h << 1) + (h << 4) + (h << 7) + (h << 8) + (h << 24); } return h >>> 0; }; const bucket = (seed, vid) => fnv1a(fnv1a(seed + vid) + '') % 10000 < 5000 ? 'control' : 'treatment'; const [decision] = useState(() => { const params = new URLSearchParams(location.search); const preBucketed = document.documentElement.dataset['gb_' + flag.replace(/-/g, '_')]; const force = params.get('gb-force'); if (force) { for (const p of force.split(',')) { const [k, v] = p.split(':'); if (k === flag) return { variant: v || 'treatment', track: false }; } } if (navigator.globalPrivacyControl) { return { variant: 'control', track: false }; } const prefsMatch = document.cookie.match(/(?:^|; )anthropic-consent-preferences=([^;]+)/); if (prefsMatch) { try { if (JSON.parse(decodeURIComponent(prefsMatch[1])).analytics !== true) { return { variant: 'control', track: false }; } } catch { return { variant: 'control', track: false }; } } else { const country = params.get('country')?.toUpperCase() || (document.cookie.match(/(?:^|; )cf_geo=([A-Z]{2})/) || [])[1]; if (!country || CONSENT_COUNTRIES.has(country)) { return { variant: 'control', track: false }; } } let vid; try { const ajsMatch = document.cookie.match(/(?:^|; )ajs_anonymous_id=([^;]+)/); if (ajsMatch) { vid = decodeURIComponent(ajsMatch[1]).replace(/^"|"$/g, ''); } else { vid = localStorage.getItem(VID_KEY); if (!vid) { vid = crypto.randomUUID(); } document.cookie = ajs_anonymous_id=${vid}; domain=.claude.com; path=/; Secure; SameSite=Lax; max-age=31536000; } try { localStorage.setItem(VID_KEY, vid); } catch {} } catch { return { variant: 'control', track: false }; } const variant = preBucketed === '1' ? 'treatment' : preBucketed === '0' ? 'control' : bucket(flag, vid); return { variant, track: true, vid }; }); useEffect(() => { if (!decision.track) return; fetch('https://api.anthropic.com/api/event_logging/v2/batch', { method: 'POST', headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json', 'x-service-name': 'claude_code_docs' }, body: JSON.stringify({ events: [{ event_type: 'GrowthbookExperimentEvent', event_data: { device_id: decision.vid, anonymous_id: decision.vid, timestamp: new Date().toISOString(), experiment_id: flag, variation_id: decision.variant === 'treatment' ? 1 : 0, environment: 'production' } }] }), keepalive: true }).catch(() => {}); }, []); return decision.variant === 'treatment' ? treatment : children; };

This quickstart guide will have you using AI-powered coding assistance in a few minutes. By the end, you'll understand how to use Claude Code for common development tasks.

}>

Before you begin

Make sure you have:

This guide covers the terminal CLI. Claude Code is also available on the web, as a desktop app, in VS Code and JetBrains IDEs, in Slack, and in CI/CD with GitHub Actions and GitLab. See all interfaces.

Step 1: Install Claude Code

To install Claude Code, use one of the following methods:

macOS, Linux, WSL:

```bash theme={null}
curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash
```

**Windows PowerShell:**

```powershell theme={null}
irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex
```

**Windows CMD:**

```batch theme={null}
curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.cmd -o install.cmd && install.cmd && del install.cmd
```

If you see `The token '&&' is not a valid statement separator`, you're in PowerShell, not CMD. If you see `'irm' is not recognized as an internal or external command`, you're in CMD, not PowerShell. Your prompt shows `PS C:\` when you're in PowerShell and `C:\` without the `PS` when you're in CMD.

**Native Windows setups require [Git for Windows](https://git-scm.com/downloads/win).** Install it first if you don't have it. WSL setups do not need it.

<Info>
  Native installations automatically update in the background to keep you on the latest version.
</Info>

bash theme={null} brew install --cask claude-code

Homebrew offers two casks. [`claude-code`](claude-code.html) tracks the stable release channel, which is typically about a week behind and skips releases with major regressions. `claude-code@latest` tracks the latest channel and receives new versions as soon as they ship.

<Info>
  Homebrew installations do not auto-update. Run `brew upgrade claude-code` or `brew upgrade claude-code@latest`, depending on which cask you installed, to get the latest features and security fixes.
</Info>

powershell theme={null} winget install Anthropic.ClaudeCode

<Info>
  WinGet installations do not auto-update. Run `winget upgrade Anthropic.ClaudeCode` periodically to get the latest features and security fixes.
</Info>

Step 2: Log in to your account

Claude Code requires an account to use. When you start an interactive session with the claude command, you'll need to log in:

```bash theme={null} claude

You'll be prompted to log in on first use


```bash theme={null}
/login
# Follow the prompts to log in with your account

You can log in using any of these account types:

Once logged in, your credentials are stored and you won't need to log in again. To switch accounts later, use the /login command.

Step 3: Start your first session

Open your terminal in any project directory and start Claude Code:

```bash theme={null} cd /path/to/your/project claude


You'll see the Claude Code welcome screen with your session information, recent conversations, and latest updates. Type `/help` for available commands or `/resume` to continue a previous conversation.

<Tip>
  After logging in (Step 2), your credentials are stored on your system. Learn more in [Credential Management](https://code.claude.com/en/authentication#credential-management).
</Tip>

## Step 4: Ask your first question

Let's start with understanding your codebase. Try one of these commands:

```text theme={null}
what does this project do?

Claude will analyze your files and provide a summary. You can also ask more specific questions:

```text theme={null} what technologies does this project use?


```text theme={null}
where is the main entry point?

```text theme={null} explain the folder structure


You can also ask Claude about its own capabilities:

```text theme={null}
what can Claude Code do?

```text theme={null} how do I create custom skills in Claude Code?


```text theme={null}
can Claude Code work with Docker?

Claude Code reads your project files as needed. You don't have to manually add context.

Step 5: Make your first code change

Now let's make Claude Code do some actual coding. Try a simple task:

```text theme={null} add a hello world function to the main file


Claude Code will:

1. Find the appropriate file
2. Show you the proposed changes
3. Ask for your approval
4. Make the edit

<Note>
  Claude Code always asks for permission before modifying files. You can approve individual changes or enable "Accept all" mode for a session.
</Note>

## Step 6: Use Git with Claude Code

Claude Code makes Git operations conversational:

```text theme={null}
what files have I changed?

```text theme={null} commit my changes with a descriptive message


You can also prompt for more complex Git operations:

```text theme={null}
create a new branch called feature/quickstart

```text theme={null} show me the last 5 commits


```text theme={null}
help me resolve merge conflicts

Step 7: Fix a bug or add a feature

Claude is proficient at debugging and feature implementation.

Describe what you want in natural language:

```text theme={null} add input validation to the user registration form


Or fix existing issues:

```text theme={null}
there's a bug where users can submit empty forms - fix it

Claude Code will:

Step 8: Test out other common workflows

There are a number of ways to work with Claude:

Refactor code

```text theme={null} refactor the authentication module to use async/await instead of callbacks


**Write tests**

```text theme={null}
write unit tests for the calculator functions

Update documentation

```text theme={null} update the README with installation instructions


**Code review**

```text theme={null}
review my changes and suggest improvements

Talk to Claude like you would a helpful colleague. Describe what you want to achieve, and it will help you get there.

Essential commands

Here are the most important commands for daily use:

Command What it does Example
claude Start interactive mode claude
claude "task" Run a one-time task claude "fix the build error"
claude -p "query" Run one-off query, then exit claude -p "explain this function"
claude -c Continue most recent conversation in current directory claude -c
claude -r Resume a previous conversation claude -r
/clear Clear conversation history /clear
/help Show available commands /help
exit or Ctrl+D Exit Claude Code exit

See the CLI reference for a complete list of commands.

Pro tips for beginners

For more, see best practices and common workflows.

Instead of: "fix the bug"

Try: "fix the login bug where users see a blank screen after entering wrong credentials"

Break complex tasks into steps:

```text theme={null}
1. create a new database table for user profiles
2. create an API endpoint to get and update user profiles
3. build a webpage that allows users to see and edit their information
```

Before making changes, let Claude understand your code:

```text theme={null}
analyze the database schema
```

```text theme={null}
build a dashboard showing products that are most frequently returned by our UK customers
```

* Press ? to see all available keyboard shortcuts * Use Tab for command completion * Press ↑ for command history * Type / to see all commands and skills

What's next?

Now that you've learned the basics, explore more advanced features:

Understand the agentic loop, built-in tools, and how Claude Code interacts with your project

Get better results with effective prompting and project setup

Step-by-step guides for common tasks

Customize with CLAUDE.md, skills, hooks, MCP, and more

Getting help