Article

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

By Matt · Feb 24, 2026

Installing Claude Code takes just a few minutes regardless of your operating system. Anthropic now offers native installers as the recommended method, and the entire process goes from download to first coding session in about five minutes. This guide covers every installation method for every platform so you can get Claude Code running quickly.

If you are new to the tool and want to understand what it does before installing, start with our overview of what Claude Code is and what it can do.

System Requirements

Platform	Minimum Version	Notes
macOS	10.15 (Catalina) or later	Native binary for Intel and Apple Silicon
Linux	Ubuntu 20.04, Debian 10, or equivalent	Most modern distributions supported
Windows	Windows 10 or later	Native (Git Bash required) or via WSL 2
RAM	4 GB minimum	8 GB+ recommended for large codebases
Node.js	Not required	Native installer handles everything
Account	Claude Pro or Max subscription (or API key)	Free tier has very limited Claude Code access

Claude Code authenticates through your browser on first launch, so make sure you have an active Anthropic account ready. Not sure which plan to pick? See our Claude Code pricing breakdown.

Installing Claude Code on Mac

Open Terminal on your Mac — find it in Applications → Utilities, or press Command+Space and type "Terminal." Run the native install script from Anthropic's official source:

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

The installer downloads the correct binary for your Mac architecture (Intel or Apple Silicon) and configures your PATH automatically. After the script finishes, verify the installation:

claude --version

You should see a version number without errors. The native macOS binary is signed by Anthropic PBC and notarized by Apple, so you should not see Gatekeeper warnings. If your Mac blocks it, go to System Settings → Privacy & Security and allow the installer.

Mac Installation via Homebrew

Mac users who prefer Homebrew can install with:

brew install claude-code

The important difference: Homebrew installations do not auto-update. You need to manually run brew upgrade claude-code periodically. For most Mac users, the native installer is the better choice because it handles automatic background updates.

Installing Claude Code on Windows

Windows users have two solid options: native installation or WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux).

Option 1: Native Windows Installation (WinGet)

Open PowerShell or Command Prompt and run:

winget install Anthropic.ClaudeCode

Follow the prompts. After installation, verify with claude --version in Git Bash, PowerShell, or Command Prompt. Native Windows requires Git Bash for the full Claude Code experience. If you don't have it, install Git for Windows from git-scm.com, which includes Git Bash. Windows Terminal is recommended as your terminal emulator.

Note: WinGet installations do not auto-update. Run winget upgrade Anthropic.ClaudeCode periodically to stay current.

Option 2: WSL 2 Installation (Recommended for Developers)

WSL 2 is the recommended approach for developers who want the full Linux experience, including Bash tool sandboxing for enhanced security.

First, set up WSL with Ubuntu. Open PowerShell as Administrator:

wsl --install -d Ubuntu

Reboot when prompted. After rebooting, open your Ubuntu terminal, then:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo apt install git -y

Then run the Claude Code install script from your Ubuntu terminal, just as you would on native Linux:

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

For WSL users who also use VS Code, connect VS Code to your WSL environment by running code . from your WSL terminal. This lets you use the Claude Code extension while Claude Code runs in WSL. Read more in our guide on using Claude Code in VS Code and Cursor.

Installing Claude Code on Linux

On Linux, open your terminal and run the native install script:

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

The process is identical to macOS. The installer detects your distribution and architecture, downloads the correct binary, and sets up your PATH. Verify with claude --version after installation. Native installations on Linux auto-update in the background just like on Mac.

The npm Method (Deprecated)

Older guides may reference installing Claude Code globally through npm with npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code. While this still works, Anthropic has deprecated it in favor of native installers.

If you have an existing npm installation, migrate by running:

claude install

This switches you to the native binary while preserving your settings and project configurations. If you must use npm, ensure you have Node.js version 18 or higher. Never use sudo npm install as this causes permission issues.

Downloading Claude Code Binaries Directly

If you prefer a downloadable binary rather than a command-line installer, the GitHub releases page at github.com/anthropics/claude-code has binaries for each platform. You can also access Claude Code in your browser at claude.ai/code with no download needed — useful for trying it before committing to a local install.

IDE extensions are available separately in the VS Code marketplace and JetBrains marketplace. These connect to the Claude Code backend on your machine and are covered in our VS Code and Cursor integration guide.

First Launch: Authentication

After installation, launch Claude Code by typing claude in your terminal. On first launch, it opens your browser to authenticate with your Anthropic account. Log in, authorize the connection, and return to your terminal. Claude Code is now connected to your account and ready to use.

Navigate to a project directory and start your first session:

cd your-project
claude

Type a message like "give me an overview of this project" to see Claude Code read your files and respond with a codebase summary.

Verifying and Troubleshooting Your Installation

Run claude --version to confirm Claude Code is installed correctly.

If you see "command not found": Your PATH is likely not configured. Close and reopen your terminal to refresh, then try again. On macOS, check that your .zshrc file includes the installation directory in PATH. On Linux, check .bashrc. On Windows, ensure Git Bash or your preferred terminal can find the binary.

Anthropic provides a built-in diagnostic command that checks your installation type, version, authentication status, and configuration for common issues:

claude doctor

Run claude doctor whenever something seems off. If troubleshooting does not resolve the issue, a clean reinstall usually works — remove the binary and any configuration files, then follow the installation steps again from scratch.

Next Steps After Installing

With Claude Code installed and authenticated, your next steps:

Follow our guide on setting up Claude Code for CLAUDE.md configuration, update management, and your first session
Read the complete usage guide for practical workflows, slash commands, and tips for getting the best results
Install the VS Code or JetBrains extension if you prefer an IDE-based workflow — see our VS Code and Cursor integration guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need Node.js to install Claude Code?

No. The native installer does not require Node.js. This was a requirement for the older npm-based installation method, which is now deprecated. The native binary installs cleanly on Mac, Linux, and Windows without any Node.js dependency.

How do I update Claude Code?

If you used the native installer, Claude Code updates automatically in the background — you don't need to do anything. If you used Homebrew on Mac, run brew upgrade claude-code. If you used WinGet on Windows, run winget upgrade Anthropic.ClaudeCode. You can always check your current version with claude --version.

Can I install Claude Code without a subscription?

You can install the software without a subscription, but you won't be able to use it meaningfully. Claude Code requires authentication with an Anthropic account that has Claude Pro, Max, or API access. The free Claude.ai tier has very limited Claude Code functionality. See our pricing guide to choose the right plan.

Why can't I find Claude Code in the npm registry anymore?

The npm package @anthropic-ai/claude-code still exists but is deprecated. Anthropic moved to native platform installers in 2025 for better performance, security (binary signing), and automatic updates. The npm package still works but won't receive new features — migrate using claude install from your terminal.

Is there a Claude Code app I can download?

Claude Code is primarily a command-line tool installed via a terminal installer or package manager. There is no GUI desktop app. However, you can access Claude Code through the web browser at claude.ai/code, and IDE extensions for VS Code and JetBrains provide a graphical interface inside your editor that connects to the local Claude Code installation.