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Requirements

  • Node.js 18 or later — Claude Code’s package requires node >= 18.0.0. Check your version: 
    node --version
  • An Anthropic account — required for authentication. Sign up at claude.ai.

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Install Claude Code

npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
This installs the claude binary globally so it is available from any directory.

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Verify the installation

claude --version
You should see output like: 
2.1.88 (Claude Code)

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First-time setup and authentication

The first time you run claude, it walks you through authentication: 
claude
Claude Code opens a browser window and prompts you to sign in with your Anthropic account. After you authorize the app, your credentials are stored locally and the interactive session starts.
Claude Code stores authentication tokens in your system keychain (macOS) or in a secured local file (Linux, Windows). You will not need to re-authenticate on subsequent runs.

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Update Claude Code

To update to the latest version, run the built-in install command from inside Claude Code: 
> /install
Or reinstall using your package manager: 
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

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Platform notes

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macOS

Claude Code is supported on both Apple Silicon (arm64) and Intel (x64) Macs. No platform-specific steps are required beyond the standard npm install. If you installed Node.js via Homebrew, the global npm bin directory ($(npm bin -g)) is typically already on your PATH.

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Linux

Claude Code runs on x64, arm64, and arm (32-bit) Linux. It is tested on Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora/RHEL, Alpine, and Arch-based distributions. After a global npm install, add the npm global bin directory to your shell’s PATH if it is not already there. For bash: 
echo 'export PATH="$(npm bin -g):$PATH"' >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc
For zsh: 
echo 'export PATH="$(npm bin -g):$PATH"' >> ~/.zshrc
source ~/.zshrc

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Windows

Claude Code is supported on Windows (x64 and arm64). The claude binary is installed to %APPDATA%\npm by default. Ensure this path is in your PATH environment variable. Claude Code installs its native binary to %USERPROFILE%\.local\bin\claude.exe on Windows.
On Windows, using Windows Terminal or PowerShell 7+ gives the best experience with Claude Code’s terminal UI.

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WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux)

Claude Code works inside WSL environments. Install it within your WSL distribution using the Linux instructions above. The claude binary will be available in your WSL shell.

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Alternative install methods

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Native installer

Claude Code also supports a native installation that does not require npm. Run this inside an existing Claude Code session: 
> /install
The /install command downloads and installs the native Claude Code binary for your platform.

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mise or asdf

Claude Code can be managed with mise or asdf as a Node.js global tool. Install Node.js 18+ via mise/asdf first, then use npm to install Claude Code globally.

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Troubleshooting

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claude: command not found after install

The global npm bin directory is not on your PATH. Find it and add it: 
npm bin -g
Add the output path to your shell configuration file (~/.bashrc, ~/.zshrc, etc.) using the PATH export shown in the Linux section above, then reload your shell.

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Permission errors during install

Avoid running npm install -g with sudo. Instead, configure npm to use a directory you own: 
mkdir -p ~/.npm-global
npm config set prefix '~/.npm-global'
export PATH="$HOME/.npm-global/bin:$PATH"
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

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Another process is installing Claude

If you see Could not install - another process is currently installing Claude, wait a moment and try again. If the error persists, use the --force flag: 
claude install --force

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Node.js version is too old

Claude Code requires Node.js 18 or later. Check your version with node --version. If you need to upgrade, use nvm, mise, or your system package manager. 
# Using nvm
nvm install 20
nvm use 20

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Authentication issues

If authentication fails or you need to re-authenticate, run: 
claude
Claude Code will detect that your session is expired or missing and prompt you to log in again.
Do not share your authentication tokens or commit them to source control. Claude Code stores credentials in your system keychain or a local secured file, not in your project directory.