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Installation Guide

System Requirements​

Before installing Claude Code, ensure your system meets the following requirements:

  • Operating System: Windows 10+, macOS 10.15+, or Linux
  • Node.js: Version 18.0 or higher
  • Memory: At least 4GB RAM
  • Network: Stable internet connection

Installing Claude Code​

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

Method 2: Install via Homebrew (macOS)​

brew install claude-code

Method 3: Download Binary​

Visit our releases page to download the latest binary for your platform.

Initial Setup​

After installation, run the setup command:

claude setup

This will guide you through:

  1. API Key Configuration - Connect to Anthropic's API
  2. Workspace Setup - Configure your default workspace
  3. Preferences - Set your coding style and preferences

Verify Installation​

Test your installation:

claude --version
claude --help

Quick Start​

Create your first project with Claude Code:

mkdir my-project
cd my-project
claude init

Authentication​

Using Anthropic API Key​

  1. Get your API key from Anthropic Console
  2. Set it up:
claude auth login

Enterprise Setup​

For enterprise deployments with Bedrock or Vertex AI:

claude auth configure --provider bedrock
# or
claude auth configure --provider vertex

Configuration​

Claude Code can be configured through:

  • Global config: ~/.claude/config.yaml
  • Project config: ./claude.config.js
  • Environment variables: CLAUDE_*

Sample Configuration​

# ~/.claude/config.yaml
api:
  provider: anthropic
  key: your-api-key
  
preferences:
  model: claude-3-sonnet
  language: en
  editor: vscode
  
workspace:
  default_path: ~/projects
  auto_save: true

IDE Integration​

VS Code Extension​

Install the Claude Code extension from the VS Code marketplace:

code --install-extension anthropic.claude-code

Other Editors​

Claude Code supports integration with:

  • IntelliJ IDEA - Plugin available
  • Vim/Neovim - Via LSP
  • Emacs - Via package manager

Troubleshooting​

Common Issues​

Permission Denied Error

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

API Key Issues

claude auth status
claude auth refresh

Network Connectivity

claude doctor

Getting Help​

Next Steps​

Now that you have Claude Code installed:

  1. Follow the Tutorial - Learn the basics
  2. Configure Your Environment - Customize settings
  3. Explore Features - Discover capabilities

Ready to start coding with AI? Begin with our tutorial!