Terminal guide for new users

A step-by-step guide to installing Claude Code for first-time terminal users on macOS and Windows.

You can use Claude Code even if you’ve never used a terminal before. This guide walks you through opening a terminal, installing Claude Code, and your first interactions.

• macOS and Linux
• Windows

Don’t want to use the terminal? The Claude Code desktop app lets you skip the terminal entirely. Download it for macOS or Windows, then see the Desktop quickstart to get started.

macOS and Linux

Follow these steps to install and start Claude Code from a macOS or Linux terminal. Claude Code requires macOS 13.0 or later. See the system requirements for supported Linux distributions.

1. Open a terminal

   macOS: Press Cmd + Space to open Spotlight Search, type Terminal, and press Enter.

   Linux: Open your terminal app. On most distributions, press Ctrl + Alt + T or search for “Terminal” in your application menu.

   A window will appear with a blinking cursor. This is your terminal, where you type commands.

2. Install Claude Code

   Copy this line, paste it into your terminal (Cmd + V on macOS, Ctrl + Shift + V on Linux), and press Enter:

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

   This downloads and runs the Claude Code installer from claude.ai. You’ll see text scrolling as it works. When it’s done, you’ll see “Claude Code successfully installed!” If you see an error instead, check the troubleshooting section below.

3. Start Claude Code

   Type claude and press Enter:

   claude
   

   You’ll be prompted to log in with your Claude account. Follow the on-screen instructions. A browser window will open for you to sign in.

4. Start using Claude Code

   Once logged in, you can start asking Claude questions about your code or anything else. Claude Code runs entirely in text. You type messages and press Enter to send them. A few things to know:

   • You can’t click on things in the terminal. Use the arrow keys to move around.
   • Press Esc to interrupt Claude if it’s running.
   • Type exit or press Ctrl + D to leave Claude Code.
   • Type /help to see available commands.

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Windows

Follow these steps to optionally install Git for Windows, set up PowerShell, and start Claude Code on Windows. Claude Code requires Windows 10 version 1809 or later. See the system requirements for full details.

1. Install Git for Windows (optional)

   Git for Windows provides Git Bash, which enables the Bash tool. Without it, Claude Code uses PowerShell instead. You won’t need to learn Git yourself.

   If you don’t already have it:

   1. Go to git-scm.com/downloads/win and download the installer
   2. Run the installer. Click Next on each screen to accept the defaults. The installer has many screens, but you don’t need to change anything.
   3. If it asks you to choose an editor, keep the default and click Next.
   4. When you see “Adjusting your PATH environment,” keep the recommended option selected.

   Already have Git? You can skip this step. If you’re not sure, install it anyway. Reinstalling won’t cause problems.

2. Open PowerShell

   PowerShell is Windows’ built-in terminal for typing commands. It comes pre-installed on every Windows computer.

   Press Win + X and select Windows PowerShell (or Terminal) from the menu. A window with a blinking cursor will appear. This is where you’ll type commands.

   Windows has two command-line programs: PowerShell and CMD. They look similar but use different commands. Make sure you’re in PowerShell for the next step.

   How to tell which one you’re in:

   • PowerShell: shows PS C:\Users\YourName> at the start of each line
   • CMD: shows C:\Users\YourName> without the PS
3. Install Claude Code

   Copy this line, paste it into PowerShell with Ctrl + V or right-click, and press Enter:

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

   This downloads and runs the Claude Code installer. irm fetches the file and iex runs it. You’ll see text scrolling as it works. When it’s done, you’ll see “Claude Code successfully installed!” If you see an error instead, check the troubleshooting section below.

   If you’re in CMD instead of PowerShell, use this command:

   curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.cmd -o install.cmd && install.cmd && del install.cmd
   
4. Start Claude Code

   Close PowerShell and open a new PowerShell window so it recognizes the newly installed claude command. Then type:

   claude
   

   You’ll be prompted to log in with your Claude account. Follow the on-screen instructions. A browser window will open for you to sign in.

5. Start using Claude Code

   Once logged in, you can start asking Claude questions about your code or anything else. Claude Code runs entirely in text. You type messages and press Enter to send them. A few things to know:

   • You can’t click on things in the terminal. Use the arrow keys to move around.
   • Press Esc to interrupt Claude if it’s running.
   • Type exit or press Ctrl + D to leave Claude Code.
   • Type /help to see available commands.

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What’s next?

Once you see the Claude Code welcome screen, you’re ready to go. You don’t need to know how to code. Describe what you want in plain English, and Claude writes the code for you.

Build something

Claude can create projects from a description:

make me a simple webpage that says hello world

Claude creates the files for you. Double-click the HTML file to open it in your browser.

Work with files on your computer

Claude can read and organize files you already have:

look at the screenshots on my Desktop and rename them based on what's in each image

Ask questions

Claude can explain things, help you learn, or plan out a project:

I want to build a personal budget tracker. What would I need?

If you don’t have a project yet, that’s fine. Claude can help you start a new one.

Other ways to use Claude Code

You don’t have to use the terminal. Claude Code is also available in:

• VS Code and JetBrains IDEs as editor extensions
• The desktop app, with no terminal required
• The web at claude.ai/code for remote sessions
• GitHub Actions and GitLab CI/CD for automation

Learn more

• Quickstart: a guided walkthrough of your first project with Claude Code
• How Claude Code works: understand how Claude reads your files, runs commands, and makes edits
• Best practices: get better results with effective prompting and project setup
• Common workflows: step-by-step guides for debugging, testing, refactoring, and more
• Terminal configuration: customize your terminal for the best Claude Code experience

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Troubleshooting

macOS and Linux troubleshooting

If you run into problems installing on macOS or Linux, check these common issues:

'command not found: claude'

If you see command not found: claude after installing, your terminal needs to reload its settings. Close the Terminal window and open a new one, then try claude again.

If it still doesn’t work, add the install directory to your PATH. Run the command for your shell:

# Zsh (macOS default)
echo 'export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.zshrc
source ~/.zshrc

# Bash (Linux default)
echo 'export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc

Then try claude again. For more details, see fix your PATH.

Error with HTML code or 'syntax error near unexpected token'

If you see bash: line 1: syntax error near unexpected token '<' or HTML code like <!DOCTYPE html> in your terminal, the install URL returned a web page instead of the installer script.

If the page says “App unavailable in region,” Claude Code is not available in your country. See supported countries.

Otherwise, try running the command again. If it keeps happening, install with Homebrew instead:

brew install --cask claude-code

'dyld' error or 'built for Mac OS X 13.0'

If you see dyld: cannot load, dyld: Symbol not found, or built for Mac OS X 13.0, your macOS version is likely older than Claude Code supports.

Open the Apple menu and select About This Mac to check your version. If it’s older than 13.0, update macOS through Software Update. See the macOS troubleshooting guide for more details.

For other errors, see the full installation troubleshooting guide.

Windows troubleshooting

If you run into problems installing on Windows, check these common issues:

'irm is not recognized'

You’re in CMD, not PowerShell. Close this window and open PowerShell instead (Win + X then select Windows PowerShell).

Alternatively, use the CMD install command:

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

SSL/TLS error or 'Could not create SSL/TLS secure channel'

This usually happens on older Windows 10 systems. Run this line first, then retry the install:

[Net.ServicePointManager]::SecurityProtocol = [Net.SecurityProtocolType]::Tls12
irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex

'Claude Code on Windows requires either Git for Windows (for bash) or PowerShell'

Neither PowerShell nor Git Bash was found. Claude Code needs at least one shell.

1. Ensure powershell.exe is on your PATH. Its default location is C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\. Alternatively, install PowerShell 7, which provides pwsh.
2. If you’d rather use Git Bash, install Git for Windows per the first step in the Windows section.
3. If Git is installed but Claude Code can’t find it, tell it where to look:
   $env:CLAUDE_CODE_GIT_BASH_PATH="C:\Program Files\Git\bin\bash.exe"
   
   Then run claude again. If your Git is installed somewhere else, find the path by running:
   Get-Command git | Select-Object Source
   
   Look for the Git\bin folder in that path and use it instead.

To make this permanent so you don’t have to set it every time, see configure Git Bash path.

'claude is not recognized'

Restart your computer and try again. This usually fixes the problem.

If restarting didn’t help, run these commands to add Claude Code to your PATH:

$currentPath = [Environment]::GetEnvironmentVariable('PATH', 'User')
[Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable('PATH', "$currentPath;$env:USERPROFILE\.local\bin", 'User')

Close PowerShell, open a new window, and try claude again. See verify your PATH for more details.

For other errors, see the full installation troubleshooting guide.