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Install Claude Code

Install the CLI on macOS, Linux or Windows, confirm it works with claude --version, and keep it updated.

Updated 3 min read

This page gets the claude command onto your machine and proves it works. You need a terminal and an internet connection. You don't need Node.js, Python, or anything else for the recommended installer.

Every command here was checked against Anthropic's official setup page on October 5, 2026. If something on your screen disagrees with this page, trust the official setup docs. Install details move faster than articles.

What you need

  • A terminal. On macOS, open Terminal (Cmd + Space, type "Terminal"). On Windows, open PowerShell. On Linux, your usual terminal app. Never used one? Anthropic has a short terminal guide.
  • A supported system. macOS 13 or later, Windows 10 (1809) or later, or a recent Ubuntu, Debian or Alpine. 4 GB of RAM or more.
  • A paid Claude account. Pro, Max, Team, Enterprise, or a Console account with API credits. The free plan doesn't include Claude Code. You'll sign in on the next page.

Install it

The native installer is the recommended path. Copy the line for your system, paste it, press Enter.

macOS, Linux, or WSL:

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

Windows PowerShell:

powershell
irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex

On native Windows, install Git for Windows too if you can. With it, Claude Code runs shell commands through Git Bash. Without it, Claude Code uses PowerShell instead. WSL doesn't need it.

Prefer a package manager?

Homebrew (macOS or Linux):

bash
brew install --cask claude-code

WinGet (Windows):

powershell
winget install Anthropic.ClaudeCode

There's also a global npm package. It needs Node.js 22 or later, and the official docs warn against installing it with sudo. If you don't already live in npm, skip it.

Check that it worked

Open a new terminal window, then run:

bash
claude --version

You should see a version number followed by (Claude Code). That's a working install.

If the shell says command not found: claude, the install folder isn't on your PATH yet. Close the terminal completely, open a fresh one, and try again. Still broken? Run the diagnostic:

bash
claude doctor

claude doctor prints install health, settings errors, and suggested fixes without starting a session. The troubleshooting page matches most error messages to a fix.

Keeping it updated

How updates work depends on how you installed:

Install methodUpdates
Native installerUpdates itself in the background. New versions take effect the next time you start Claude Code.
HomebrewManual: brew upgrade claude-code
WinGetManual: winget upgrade Anthropic.ClaudeCode
npmManual: npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code@latest

There are two release channels. Latest (the default for the native installer) gets new versions as soon as they ship. Stable runs about a week behind and skips releases with major regressions. On Homebrew the channel is the cask name: claude-code tracks stable, claude-code@latest tracks latest. On the native installer you can switch with /config inside a session.

To update right now instead of waiting, run claude update.

Honest read: if you're learning, take the native installer and let it update itself. Thinking about update channels before you've run a single session is a good way to never run one.

You haven't signed in yet

Installing the tool and signing in are separate steps. Right now you have the claude command, but it doesn't know which account to bill. The choice between a subscription and an API key changes how you pay, so it gets its own page.

Next: Sign in: subscription or API key