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Installing Claude Code

Claude Code can be installed in almost anywhere you develop. This can be: in the terminal, VS Code, JetBrains, Claude Desktop, or on the web. We walk you through installation steps for each platform and help you pick the right one based on your use case. Take the full course: claude.com/courses

May 14, 20263mWatch on YouTube ↗

At a glance

WHAT IT’S REALLY ABOUT

How to install Claude Code across terminal, IDE, desktop, web

  1. Claude Code can be installed quickly on macOS/Linux/WSL via a curl command or via Homebrew, with Homebrew lacking auto-updates.
  2. Windows installation is available through PowerShell, CMD curl, or winget, with winget also not providing auto-updates.
  3. First-run setup includes selecting a theme and signing in via a Claude account tier (Pro/Max/Enterprise) or using an API key, with special handling for Enterprise orgs.
  4. IDE integrations are installed as an official VS Code extension or a JetBrains plugin, both requiring an install-and-restart flow and exposing a Claude pane/tab.
  5. Claude Code is also available in Claude Desktop (folder-scoped permissions and background use) and on the web at claude.ai/code, where web access is limited to GitHub repositories.

IDEAS WORTH REMEMBERING

5 ideas

Use the terminal installer for the fastest updates.

The transcript notes that features ship to the terminal experience first and that some package-manager installs (Homebrew/winget) don’t auto-update.

Be mindful of where you run Claude Code—it defines its access scope.

Claude Code can access the directory you launch it in and all subfolders, so choose a project root intentionally to avoid granting broader access than needed.

Account choice affects setup—Enterprise users should select the Enterprise path.

During onboarding you can sign in with Pro/Max/Enterprise or use an API key, and Enterprise orgs are explicitly instructed to pick the Enterprise option.

VS Code integration is the official Anthropic extension and may require a restart.

You install it from the Extensions panel (look for the blue-checked listing), then open it via the Command Palette or the Claude logo in an open file.

You can keep the IDE integration but opt out of the UI for a terminal-first workflow.

The VS Code setup mentions a settings option to disable the UI and use the terminal experience directly.

WORDS WORTH SAVING

5 quotes

Claude Code is simple to install whether you want to use it in your terminal, the web, or your IDE.

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Whatever directory you decide to run Claude in, it will have access to that directory and all of its subfolders.

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If you want to constantly keep up to date with everything, the terminal is the best bet. Features ship there the fastest.

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On the web, you can access Claude Code by going to claude.ai/code. This works very similar to the desktop app. However, you're restricted to GitHub repositories only.

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However you want to use Claude Code, it's up to you.

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macOS/Linux/WSL install (curl, Homebrew)Windows install (PowerShell, CMD curl, winget)Auto-update differences by install methodFirst-run configuration and authentication optionsDirectory scope and permissions modelVS Code extension setup and UI/terminal toggleJetBrains plugin setupClaude Desktop “Code” modeClaude Code on the web (GitHub-only limitation)Choosing terminal vs IDE vs desktop vs web

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