Installing Claude Code

Installation Methods

Mac/Linux/WSL:

• Use curl command for one-step installation
• Homebrew available but lacks auto-update capability

Windows:

• PowerShell: invoke-rest-method command
• CMD: curl command
• winget available but no auto-update

Initial Setup

• Run claude in your project directory
• Choose color theme and sign in (Pro, Max, Enterprise, or API key)
• Claude gains access to that directory and all subdirectories

IDE Integration

Visual Studio Code:

• Search "Claude code" in Extensions panel (look for Anthropic's blue checkmark)
• Open via Control/Command + Shift + P or Claude logo in editor
• Optional: disable UI and use terminal-only mode in settings

JetBrains IDEs:

• Install Claude code plugin from JetBrains Marketplace
• Restart IDE to see Claude logo and access terminal pane

Platform Options

| Platform | Best For | |----------|----------| | Terminal | Fastest feature updates | | IDE Integration | Seamless editor workflow | | Desktop App | Background processing while multitasking | | **Web (claude. ai/code)** | Remote GitHub work; parallel sessions; GitHub repos only |

Takeaways

• Installation is simple and platform-specific: Use curl on Mac/Linux/WSL, PowerShell/curl on Windows; Homebrew and winget lack auto-update features

• Initial setup requires running claude in your project directory to authenticate (Pro/Max/Enterprise/API key) and grant access to that directory and subdirectories

• IDE integration is available for VS Code and JetBrains IDEs with official extensions; VS Code offers optional terminal-only mode for advanced users

• Choose your platform based on your workflow: Terminal for fastest updates, IDE integration for seamless editing, desktop app for background processing, or web interface for remote GitHub work