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Live Classes · Setup guide

How to install Claude Code

This takes about 20 minutes. You don't need to understand any of the commands. Copy them exactly, paste, and press Enter. If something goes wrong, don't worry: we go through setup together in class 1, and you can ask in the group chat any time.

Before you start

  • A laptop or desktop: Windows 10 or newer, or a Mac. A phone or tablet won't work for building.
  • A Claude Pro subscription (about US$20 a month), which includes Claude Code. Sign up at claude.com/pricing.
  • A steady internet connection.

On Windows

  1. 1

    Open PowerShell

    Press the Windows key, type PowerShell, and click Windows PowerShell. A window with a blinking cursor opens. This is called a terminal.

  2. 2

    Install Claude Code

    Copy this line, paste it into PowerShell (right-click pastes), and press Enter:

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

    Wait until it says it has finished. If it only prints a lot of text, you copied part of the line. Try again with the whole line.

  3. 3

    Install Git (recommended)

    Git lets Claude Code keep track of your work and helps when we publish websites in week 2. Download it from git-scm.com and click Next through the installer, keeping every default.

  4. 4

    Start it and sign in

    Close PowerShell, open it again, then type this and press Enter:

    claude

    A browser window opens. Sign in with your Claude account. When it says you're logged in, you're ready.

On a Mac

  1. 1

    Open Terminal

    Press Command + Space, type Terminal, and press Enter.

  2. 2

    Install Claude Code

    Copy this line, paste it into Terminal (Command + V), and press Enter:

    curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash
  3. 3

    Start it and sign in

    Close Terminal, open it again, then type this and press Enter:

    claude

    Sign in with your Claude account in the browser window that opens.

Check it works

Once Claude Code is running, type this and press Enter:

Make a simple web page that says Hello from [your name], with a nice background colour

It will ask before creating a file. Say yes. If a file appears, you're all set for class 1. If you get stuck at any step, take a screenshot and post it in the group chat.

Steps follow Anthropic's official guide at code.claude.com.