Install Claude Code

Get Claude Code running on your machine

⏱ Est. ~9 min

01 · Read

Installing Claude Code is simple — it's an npm package, just like the ones you learned about in Level 7. You install it globally so you can use it from any directory on your machine.

You need three things:

1. Node.js (you already have this from Level 7) 2. The Claude Code package (install via npm) 3. An Anthropic account (for authentication)

Let's get set up.

Key points

Claude Code installs via npm, like any other package
Global install (-g) makes it available everywhere
You need an Anthropic account to authenticate

02 · Real-machine exercise

Install Claude Code globally using npm. The -g flag makes it available system-wide, not just in one project.

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

03 · Real-machine exercise

Verify the install by checking the version. Seeing a version number means Claude Code is installed correctly.

claude --version

04 · Quiz

What does the -g flag mean when installing an npm package?

Install the latest version
Generate a config file
Integrate with Git
Install globally (available system-wide)

05 · Fill in the blank

To install Claude Code globally, type npm install _____ @anthropic-ai/claude-code.

06 · Real-machine exercise

Now let's authenticate. Run claude for the first time to launch it. It'll walk you through logging into your Anthropic account. Follow the on-screen prompts — it'll open a browser for you to sign in.

claude

07 · Quiz

You just finished installing Claude Code and running it for the first time. If you open a brand new terminal window and type claude, what happens?

It launches Claude Code, because the -g flag made it available system-wide
It fails, because every terminal window needs its own install
It tells you to run npm install first
It only works in the folder you installed it in

08 · Fill in the blank

To confirm Claude Code is installed, run claude _____ in the terminal.

Other lessons in this chapter

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※ This is an independent Traditional Chinese teaching project — not an official Anthropic product. Claude™ is a trademark of Anthropic, PBC.