How to Download Claude Code: Install Steps for Mac, Windows, and Linux

Claude Code is Anthropic's agentic coding tool — it reads your codebase, edits files, runs commands, and works across your dev tools, available in the terminal, your IDE, a desktop app, and the browser. This guide walks through every way to install it, with the exact commands for macOS, Windows, and Linux. If you're not a developer, there's a note at the end on what you probably want instead.

TL;DR

The fastest way to get Claude Code is the native installer. On macOS, Linux, or WSL, run curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash. On Windows PowerShell, run irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex. Then open a project folder and type claude to start — you'll be prompted to sign in on first use. A paid Claude subscription or Anthropic Console account is required for most surfaces. Prefer a GUI? Use the VS Code extension, the desktop app, or run it in the browser at claude.ai/code. Not a developer? You probably want Claude Cowork, not Claude Code.

Before you start

A couple of things to know:

• You need an account. Most Claude Code surfaces require a paid Claude subscription or an Anthropic Console account. The terminal CLI and VS Code also support some third-party providers.
• Pick your surface. Claude Code runs in several places — terminal, VS Code, JetBrains, a desktop app, and the web — and they all connect to the same engine, so your settings and CLAUDE.md files work across them. Start with whichever matches how you work.

Option 1: Install in the terminal (recommended)

The native installer is the recommended method and auto-updates in the background.

macOS, Linux, or WSL:

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

Windows PowerShell:

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

Windows CMD:

curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.cmd -o install.cmd && install.cmd && del install.cmd

Quick tip if you hit an error: if you see The token '&&' is not a valid statement separator, you're in PowerShell, not CMD. If you see 'irm' is not recognized, you're in CMD, not PowerShell. PowerShell prompts show PS C:\; CMD shows C:\ without the PS.

On native Windows, Git for Windows (opens in a new tab) is recommended so Claude Code can use its Bash tool; without it, Claude Code falls back to PowerShell. WSL setups don't need it.

Option 2: Install with a package manager

If you prefer a package manager:

Homebrew (macOS):

brew install --cask claude-code

Homebrew offers two casks — claude-code (stable channel, ~a week behind) and claude-code@latest (newest releases). Homebrew installs don't auto-update; run brew upgrade claude-code to update.

WinGet (Windows):

winget install Anthropic.ClaudeCode

WinGet installs don't auto-update either; run winget upgrade Anthropic.ClaudeCode periodically. On Debian, Fedora, RHEL, and Alpine, you can also install via apt, dnf, or apk.

Option 3: Start it

Once installed, open any project and launch it:

cd your-project
claude

You'll be prompted to log in on first use. That's it — you're in.

Option 4: Use the GUI surfaces instead

Not everyone wants the command line. Claude Code also ships as:

• VS Code / Cursor extension — search "Claude Code" in the Extensions view (Cmd+Shift+X / Ctrl+Shift+X), install, then open the Command Palette and run "Claude Code: Open in New Tab." Adds inline diffs, @-mentions, and plan review in your editor.
• Desktop app — a standalone app for running Claude Code outside your IDE, with visual diff review and multiple sessions side by side. Download for macOS (Intel and Apple Silicon) or Windows (x64 and ARM64) from Anthropic's site. A paid subscription is required.
• JetBrains plugin — for IntelliJ, PyCharm, WebStorm, etc. Install from the JetBrains Marketplace and restart your IDE.
• Web — no local setup at all. Start coding in your browser at claude.ai/code (opens in a new tab), useful for long-running tasks and repos you don't have locally.

Are you sure you want Claude Code?

Worth a gut check before you install anything. Claude Code is a tool for developers — its whole job is reading and editing codebases, running commands, and managing git. If you don't write software, it's almost certainly not the tool you're looking for.

If you're a business owner or knowledge worker who wants AI to help with documents, research, file organization, and everyday work, the tool you actually want is Claude Cowork — the same agentic engine, but in a desktop app with no terminal and no setup. We break down the difference in Claude Code vs. Claude Cowork, and cover what Cowork does in what Claude Cowork can do.

Frequently asked questions

How do I download Claude Code?

The recommended method is the native installer in your terminal. On macOS, Linux, or WSL run curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash; on Windows PowerShell run irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex. You can also install via Homebrew (brew install --cask claude-code) or WinGet (winget install Anthropic.ClaudeCode), or use the VS Code extension, desktop app, or web version.

Do I need to pay for Claude Code?

Most Claude Code surfaces require a paid Claude subscription or an Anthropic Console account. The terminal CLI and VS Code also support some third-party model providers. Check Anthropic's current pricing for exact terms, since plans change over time.

How do I install Claude Code on Windows?

In PowerShell, run irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex. In CMD, run curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.cmd -o install.cmd && install.cmd && del install.cmd. Or use WinGet: winget install Anthropic.ClaudeCode. Installing Git for Windows is recommended so Claude Code can use its Bash tool. There's also a Windows desktop app for x64 and ARM64.

How do I start Claude Code after installing?

Open your terminal, change into a project directory with cd your-project, then type claude and press enter. On first use you'll be prompted to log in. After that, you can give Claude Code tasks in plain language.

Do I need Claude Code or Claude Cowork?

Claude Code is for developers — it edits codebases, runs commands, and manages git from the terminal or IDE. Claude Cowork is for everyone else — it handles documents, research, and file-based business workflows in a desktop app with no terminal. If you don't write software, you almost certainly want Claude Cowork, not Claude Code.

Next step

If you're a developer, install with the command above, run claude in a project, and try a small task like "write tests for this module and fix any failures."

If you're a business owner or knowledge worker who landed here looking for AI help with everyday work, the better starting point is the free Claude Cowork course — practical lessons and real workflows, built for non-developers. It's a free download.