Install Claude Code on Mac, Windows and Linux

Claude Code installs with one command in a terminal. Anthropic's native installer is the recommended route on Mac, Linux and Windows, with Homebrew, WinGet and npm as alternatives. The commands below come from Anthropic's setup docs, checked on 4 November 2026.

Before you start

An account that includes Claude Code: a Pro, Max, Ultra, Team or Enterprise plan, or an Anthropic Console account. The free Claude plan doesn't include it. Plans and prices are on the Claude Code pricing page.
A supported system: macOS 13.0 or later, Windows 10 version 1809 or later, Windows Server 2019 or later, Ubuntu 20.04 or later, Debian 10 or later, or Alpine Linux 3.19 or later.
Hardware: 4 GB of RAM or more, on an x64 or ARM64 processor.
A shell: Bash, Zsh, PowerShell or CMD.

Install on Mac, Linux or WSL

Open Terminal and run:

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

Install on Windows

In PowerShell:

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

In the Command Prompt (CMD):

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

Claude Code runs natively on Windows or inside WSL. Git for Windows is optional: without it, Claude Code uses PowerShell as its shell. Sandboxing needs WSL 2.

Other ways to install

Homebrew on a Mac:

brew install --cask claude-code

Homebrew installs don't update themselves, so updates come through Homebrew.

WinGet on Windows:

winget install Anthropic.ClaudeCode

npm, which needs Node.js 22 or later:

npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

Anthropic's docs say not to use sudo with this command.

Check it worked

Run claude --version to see the installed version, or claude doctor for a fuller check of the install. Then move into a project folder and run claude to start a session, signing in with your Claude or Console account when it asks.

Where I run it

My own Claude Code runs on a Mac Mini at home that stays on around the clock, with the sessions inside tmux so they survive any disconnection. I reach it over SSH from whatever device I have on me, including my phone through ShellDrop. The full setup is in running Claude Code from an iPhone.

Next: Claude Code terminal shortcuts, or using Claude Code in VS Code if you'd rather work inside an editor.

Installing it with someone on the call.

The half-day Claude Code course starts from opening Terminal for the first time and ends with an agent operating system for your business running on your own machine.

See the Claude Code course →

Questions about installing Claude Code

What is the easiest way to install Claude Code?

Anthropic recommends its native installer. On macOS, Linux or WSL, run curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash in a terminal. On Windows PowerShell, run irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex.

Do I need Node.js to install Claude Code?

Only for the npm route, which needs Node.js 22 or later. The native installer, Homebrew and WinGet don't need Node.js.

Does Claude Code run on Windows?

Yes. It runs natively on Windows 10 version 1809 or later and Windows Server 2019 or later, or inside WSL. Without Git for Windows installed, it uses PowerShell as its shell.

Is Claude Code free to install?

Installing it costs nothing, but using it needs a Pro, Max, Ultra, Team or Enterprise plan, or an Anthropic Console account. The free Claude plan doesn't include Claude Code.

How to install Claude Code