Getting Started with Claude Code

What is Claude Code?

Anthropic’s AI-powered coding tool. From the terminal you instruct it in natural language to:

• Write and modify code across multiple files
• Run shell commands and analyze the output
• Author and run tests
• Make git commits and open PRs
• Debug, refactor, and review code

This guide covers the terminal CLI, but Claude Code also runs on the web, the desktop app, the VS Code and JetBrains extensions, Slack, and GitHub Actions / GitLab CI/CD.

Before you start

You’ll need:

• A terminal or command prompt
• A code project to work on
• One of:
  • A Claude subscription (Pro, Max, Teams, or Enterprise) — recommended
  • A Claude Console account (prepaid-credit API access)
  • A supported cloud provider (Amazon Bedrock, Google Vertex AI, Microsoft Foundry)

Step 1 — Install

The official docs recommend Native Install, which auto-updates.

Official quickstart: code.claude.com/docs/en/quickstart — always check the official docs first for the latest install commands and OS-specific differences.

macOS / Linux / 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

Homebrew (macOS / Linux)

brew install --cask claude-code

claude-code tracks the stable channel; claude-code@latest tracks the latest channel. Homebrew installs don’t auto-update — run brew upgrade claude-code (or claude-code@latest) periodically.

WinGet (Windows)

winget install Anthropic.ClaudeCode

WinGet doesn’t auto-update either — run winget upgrade Anthropic.ClaudeCode periodically. On Linux you can also install with apt, dnf, or apk.

Native Install auto-updates and is the simplest path. Pick Homebrew or WinGet only if you prefer those package managers and remember to upgrade manually.

Step 2 — Log in

Run claude to start an interactive session — you’ll be prompted to log in on first use.

claude

Inside a session, /login re-runs the flow.

/login

Supported account types:

• Claude Pro / Max / Teams / Enterprise — recommended
• Claude Console — prepaid-credit API access. A “Claude Code” workspace is auto-created in Console for cost tracking on first login.
• Amazon Bedrock / Google Vertex AI / Microsoft Foundry — enterprise cloud providers

Credentials are saved after the first login, so you don’t have to log in again.

Step 3 — Start your first session

cd into your project and run claude.

cd /path/to/your/project
claude

You’ll see a welcome screen with session info, recent conversations, and the latest updates. /help lists available commands; /resume continues a previous conversation.

Step 4 — Ask your first question

Start with understanding the codebase.

What does this project do?

What technologies does this project use?

Where is the main entry point?

Claude reads project files automatically — you don’t need to add context manually.

Step 5 — Make your first code change

Add a hello world function to the main file

Claude Code will:

1. Find the right file
2. Show the proposed change
3. Ask for permission
4. Apply the edit

It always asks before modifying a file. You can approve individual edits or enable “accept all” for the session.

Step 6 — Use git

What files have I changed?

Commit my changes with a descriptive message

Create a new branch called feature/quickstart

Help me resolve this merge conflict

Step 7 — Fix a bug or add a feature

Describe what you want in natural language. Claude finds the relevant code, understands the context, implements a solution, and runs tests when available.

Add input validation to the user registration form

There's a bug where users can submit empty forms — please fix it

Step 8 — Try other workflows

Refactor the authentication module to use async/await instead of callbacks

Write unit tests for the calculator function

Update the README with installation instructions

Review my changes and suggest improvements

Essential commands

Command	Purpose
claude	Start interactive mode
claude "task"	Run a one-shot task
claude -p "query"	One-shot query and exit
claude -c	Continue the most recent conversation in the current directory
claude -r	Resume a previous conversation
claude commit	Create a git commit
/help	Show available commands
/clear	Clear conversation history
/resume	Continue a previous conversation
exit or Ctrl+C	Quit Claude Code

Full list in the CLI reference.

Beginner tips

• Be specific — prefer “Fix the login bug where users see a blank screen after entering invalid credentials” over “fix the bug”
• Step-by-step instructions — break complex tasks into numbered steps
• Let Claude explore first — ask “analyze the database schema” before requesting changes
• Use shortcuts — ? for keyboard shortcuts, Tab for completion, ↑ for command history, / to list commands

Use CLAUDE.md for project context

A CLAUDE.md at the project root is auto-loaded into every session. Recommended contents:

• Project overview and tech stack
• Directory layout summary
• Common commands (build, dev, test)
• Code conventions and “do not” rules

See the Writing a Great CLAUDE.md guide for details.

Plan mode

For complex work, enter Plan mode (Shift+Tab) so Claude proposes a plan before touching code. Review and approve before execution. See Using Plan Mode Well for details.

Next steps

• ccstatusline — show token usage, active model, and git branch in the status bar
• Superpowers — automate brainstorming, TDD, and systematic debugging workflows
• Installing Your First Plugin — practice the marketplace flow
• Skill vs Plugin vs MCP — understand the three extension types
• Official docs — Quickstart — the source for this guide