Install Claude Code

Claude Code is a command line tool that lets you delegate coding tasks directly to Claude from Terminal. It's really powerful when working with entire codebases, as it can understand project context and make changes across multiple files agentically.

Claude Code runs on a JavaScript engine, so you'll need Node.js version 18 or higher on your machine. You can check if Node.js is already installed by running:

node --version

If you don't already have Node.js installed, or need to upgrade, head to https://nodejs.org and download the latest LTS version. You can choose a few options for the installer to execute.

Pro tip: If you frequently switch between Node.js versions, consider using nvm (Node Version Manager). It lets you install and switch between different Node versions with a single command.

Just click the “Copy to clipboard” button, head over to Terminal, and paste the lines in and execute them.

Once Node.js is ready, installing Claude Code is straightforward. Visit https://www.claude.com/product/claude-code and copy the installation command from the top of the page. It will look something like this:

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

Paste this into your terminal and let the installation run.

After it’s complete, you can verify it’s installed by running:

claude --version

You should see output similar to:

2.0.28 (Claude Code)

If you see a version number, you're all set for the Claude Code robots to take over your entire coding life.