How to Install Claude Code: Step-by-Step Guide for Every Platform (2026)

Installing Claude Code takes less than two minutes on any platform. There are five ways to do it -- native installer, Homebrew, npm, WinGet, and WSL -- and which one you want depends mostly on what you already have installed.

Prerequisites

Before installing Claude Code, you need:

• A Claude account with a Pro ($20/month), Team, or Enterprise subscription
• Node.js 18+ installed on your system (check with node --version)
• Operating system: macOS 13+, Linux (most distributions), or Windows 10/11

Method 1: Native Installer (Recommended)

The native installer is the simplest method and requires no additional dependencies. It auto-updates, so you always have the latest version.

macOS

Open Terminal and run:

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

This downloads and installs Claude Code to your system path. Once complete, type claude to launch.

Linux

Same command works on most Linux distributions:

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

Supported on Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Arch, and most distributions with a standard shell.

Windows

For Windows, use the native Windows installer or WinGet:

winget install Anthropic.ClaudeCode

Or download the installer directly from claude.ai.

Method 2: Homebrew (macOS/Linux)

If you use Homebrew:

brew install claude-code

Method 3: npm (All Platforms)

If you prefer npm:

npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

Note: The native installer is recommended over npm as it includes automatic updates and doesn't require Node.js to be pre-installed.

First Launch

After installation:

1. Type claude in your terminal
2. On first launch, you'll choose a text display style
3. You'll be prompted to authenticate -- sign in with your Claude account
4. Claude Code will confirm your subscription and you're ready to go

Essential First Steps

Once Claude Code is running, do these immediately:

Initialize your project

Navigate to your project directory and run:

/init

This creates a CLAUDE.md file -- the instruction manual that tells Claude Code about your project. This single step dramatically improves output quality.

Set up your preferences

Configure your coding preferences, commit message style, and permission settings through the /settings command or by editing your CLAUDE.md file.

Troubleshooting

"command not found: claude"

Your PATH may not include the installation directory. For the native installer, try restarting your terminal. For npm installs, ensure your global npm bin directory is in your PATH:

npm config get prefix
# Add the /bin subdirectory of the output to your PATH

Authentication errors

Make sure you have an active Claude Pro, Team, or Enterprise subscription. Free tier does not include Claude Code access.

Node.js version too old

Claude Code requires Node.js 18 or later. Update with:

# macOS/Linux with nvm
nvm install 18
nvm use 18

# Or download from nodejs.org

Permission errors on macOS

If you see permission errors, you may need to allow the installer in System Settings > Privacy & Security.

Updating Claude Code

The native installer auto-updates. For other methods:

# Homebrew
brew upgrade claude-code

# npm
npm update -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

What's next

Once installed, read our guide on setting up your CLAUDE.md file -- the single most impactful thing you can do to get better results from Claude Code.