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Install Claude Code: a step-by-step guide for Windows, Mac and Linux

On Windows, one command in PowerShell is enough: irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex. Before that you need a paid Claude plan.

Before you start

What you need for the installation to work.

  • A paid plan. Pro, Max, Team or Enterprise, or an Anthropic Console account. The free plan does not include Claude Code. Prices are in Claude Code pricing.
  • Operating system. Windows 10 version 1809 or later, macOS 13 or later, Ubuntu 20.04 or later, Debian 10 or later, Alpine Linux 3.19 or later.
  • Computer. 4 GB of memory or more and an x64 or ARM64 processor.
  • Internet and being in a country where Anthropic offers the service.

Source: Claude Code documentation, setup, checked on 16 Oct 2026.

Install Claude Code on Windows

This is the method Anthropic recommends, the native installer.

  1. Check your plan

    With the free Claude plan you cannot use Claude Code. Look first at the Claude pricing table.

  2. Open PowerShell

    Press the Windows key, type "PowerShell" and open it. You do not need "Run as administrator". The command line should start with PS C:\. If it starts with C:\ without "PS", you are in the Command Prompt (CMD) and the command below will not work.

  3. Paste the command

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

    This command downloads a program from the internet and runs it. Anthropic publishes it in its documentation; if in doubt, always copy the line from its official setup page.

  4. Check that it works

    Open a new PowerShell window and type:

    claude --version

    A version number should appear. If something fails, claude doctor runs a diagnosis.

  5. Log in

    Go into the folder where you will work, type claude and follow the login with your Claude account.

Other ways on Windows

  • Command Prompt (CMD): curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.cmd -o install.cmd && install.cmd && del install.cmd
  • WinGet: winget install Anthropic.ClaudeCode. It does not update itself.
  • Git for Windows: optional. If you have it, Claude Code uses Git Bash. If not, it uses PowerShell.
  • WSL 2 (Linux inside Windows): supports running Claude Code in a space isolated from the rest of the computer; native Windows does not.

Install Claude Code on Mac and Linux

Open the Terminal and paste:

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

This also works for WSL. On Mac you can use Homebrew with brew install --cask claude-code, which does not update itself. With npm, the package is npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code and it needs Node.js 22 or later; do not run it with sudo. After that, the same as on Windows: claude --version to check and claude to start.

Native installations update in the background.

Without a terminal: the desktop app

The Claude desktop app has three tabs: Chat, Cowork and Code. The Code tab includes Claude Code, so you install neither Node.js nor the command line. It exists for macOS, Windows (x64 and ARM64) and, in beta, Linux (a .deb package for Ubuntu and Debian). It requires Pro, Max, Team or Enterprise.

Source: Claude Code documentation, desktop quickstart, checked on 16 Oct 2026.

Common errors and what to do

Only the ones Anthropic documents, with the error text.

'irm' is not recognized

You are in CMD and not in PowerShell. Open PowerShell from the Start menu and repeat the command, or use the CMD installer above.

claude is not recognised after installing

The install folder, %USERPROFILE%\.local\bin, is not in the PATH (the list of folders where Windows looks for programs). The installer itself warns you with "Native installation exists but … is not in your PATH". To fix it, in PowerShell:

$currentPath = [Environment]::GetEnvironmentVariable('PATH', 'User')
[Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable('PATH', "$currentPath;$env:USERPROFILE\.local\bin", 'User')

Close the terminal, open a new one and repeat claude --version.

Claude Code on Windows requires either Git for Windows (for bash) or PowerShell

A program for typing commands to the computer (a shell) is missing. Install Git for Windows or use PowerShell.

App unavailable in region

Claude Code is not available in your country.

Source: Claude Code documentation, troubleshooting installation, checked on 16 Oct 2026. There are more errors on that page.

Frequently asked questions about installing Claude Code

Can I install Claude Code with the free plan?

No. The free claude.ai plan does not include Claude Code. You need Pro, Max, Team or Enterprise, or an Anthropic Console account.

Do I need to be an administrator on Windows?

No. The Claude Code documentation says you do not need to run the installer as administrator.

Do I need to install Git on Windows?

It is not required. With Git for Windows, Claude Code uses Git Bash (a program where you type commands to the computer); without it, it uses PowerShell.

Does it update itself?

Native installations update in the background. Homebrew and WinGet installations do not update themselves by default.

Is there a version without a terminal?

Yes. The Claude desktop app includes a Code tab, and you do not need to install Node.js or the command line. It also requires a paid plan.

Next step

Prefer us to leave it working for you?

In the course we install it together and try it on tasks from your office. Dates to be confirmed.

See the Claude courseWrite to us