How to Install Claude Code on Mac, Windows, and Linux

Claude Code runs in your terminal and works on macOS, Windows, and Linux. Here’s how to install it on each platform.

Prerequisites

Before installing Claude Code, you need:

1. Node.js 18+ - Check with node --version
2. An Anthropic API key - Get one at console.anthropic.com

macOS Installation

Using npm (Recommended)

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

Using Homebrew

brew install claude-code

Verify Installation

claude --version

Set Your API Key

echo 'export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="your-key-here"' >> ~/.zshrc
source ~/.zshrc

Windows Installation

Using npm

Open PowerShell as Administrator:

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

Set Your API Key

[System.Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable('ANTHROPIC_API_KEY', 'your-key-here', 'User')

Restart your terminal after setting the environment variable.

Verify Installation

claude --version

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

For a better experience on Windows, consider using WSL:

# In WSL
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
echo 'export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="your-key-here"' >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc

Linux Installation

Using npm

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

Set Your API Key

For bash:

echo 'export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="your-key-here"' >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc

For zsh:

echo 'export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="your-key-here"' >> ~/.zshrc
source ~/.zshrc

Verify Installation

claude --version

Common Installation Issues

EACCES Permission Error

If you see permission errors with npm:

# Option 1: Use a node version manager
curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.39.0/install.sh | bash
nvm install 20
nvm use 20
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

# Option 2: Change npm's default directory
mkdir ~/.npm-global
npm config set prefix '~/.npm-global'
echo 'export PATH=~/.npm-global/bin:$PATH' >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

Command Not Found

If claude command isn’t found after installation:

1. Check if npm global bin is in your PATH:

npm bin -g

2. Add it to your PATH if missing:

echo 'export PATH="$(npm bin -g):$PATH"' >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc

Node.js Version Too Old

Claude Code requires Node.js 18 or later:

# Check your version
node --version

# If too old, update using nvm
nvm install 20
nvm use 20

SSL Certificate Errors

On corporate networks with SSL inspection:

npm config set strict-ssl false
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
npm config set strict-ssl true

First Run

After installation, start Claude Code:

claude

On first run, Claude will:

1. Verify your API key
2. Ask about permissions
3. Show the interactive prompt

Try a simple command:

Hello, can you tell me what directory I'm in?

Updating Claude Code

To update to the latest version:

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

Or reinstall:

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

Uninstalling

If you need to remove Claude Code:

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

IDE Integration (Optional)

VS Code

Install the Claude Code extension from the VS Code marketplace:

1. Open VS Code
2. Go to Extensions (Cmd+Shift+X)
3. Search for “Claude Code”
4. Install

JetBrains

1. Open Settings/Preferences
2. Go to Plugins
3. Search for “Claude Code”
4. Install and restart

Next Steps

After installation:

1. Set up your first CLAUDE.md
2. Learn the keyboard shortcuts
3. Understand the permission system