How do you want to use Claude?
Pick your preferred way to access Claude. You can always switch later!
💻
Claude CLI
Command Line
Run Claude from your terminal
- ✓ Fastest to set up (5 min)
- ✓ Perfect for scripts
- ✓ Automation workflows
- ✓ Lightweight
🖥️
Claude Code Desktop
Native App
Full IDE in a native application
- ✓ Native Mac/Windows app
- ✓ Full IDE experience
- ✓ Code with AI assistance
- ✓ Fast & responsive
Not sure? The Desktop app is best for coding. The CLI is best for automation.
Step 1 of 5
📋 Step 1: Check Requirements
Before installing Claude CLI, make sure you have the basics installed.
✅ Node.js v18+ —
Download
✅ npm or yarn (comes with Node.js)
✅ Text editor: VS Code, Cursor, etc
✅ Git —
Download
Check if you have Node.js installed:
node --version
Check if you have npm installed:
npm --version
❌ Troubleshooting
Q: Command not found (node/npm)
A: Restart your terminal after installation, or add Node to PATH
Q: Old Node version?
A: Download latest from nodejs.org or run: brew install node (Mac)
⚙️ Step 2: Install Claude CLI
Install the Claude CLI tool globally on your system.
Run this command in your terminal:
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-cli
installing packages...
✓ @anthropic-ai/claude-cli@latest
✓ added 45 packages
Wait 1-2 minutes for installation to complete.
❌ Troubleshooting
Q: Permission denied?
A: Add sudo: sudo npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-cli
Q: Installation stuck?
A: Press Ctrl+C and try: npm cache clean --force
✅ Step 3: Verify Installation
Check that Claude CLI installed correctly.
Run this command:
claude --version
claude/2.1.0 (darwin-arm64)
✓ Successfully installed
You should see a version number. If you do, installation is complete!
✓ Installation Verified
Version command returns a number
❌ Troubleshooting
Q: Command not found
A: Restart terminal or check npm: npm list -g @anthropic-ai/claude-cli
🔑 Step 4: Get Your API Key
Set up authentication with Claude.
1. Go to: console.anthropic.com/keys
2. Click "Create API Key"
3. Copy your key (looks like: sk-ant-...)
4. Run this command and paste your key:
claude auth login
Enter your Claude API key:
sk-ant-...
✓ Authentication successful
❌ Troubleshooting
Q: Invalid API key
A: Make sure you copied the full key from console.anthropic.com
🎉 Step 5: Your First Command
Test Claude CLI with your first query!
Run a simple test:
claude "What is AI?"
$ claude "What is AI?"
AI (Artificial Intelligence) is...
[Claude responds here]
🎊 You're done! Claude CLI is ready to use.
✓ Next Steps
Try: claude "write hello world in Python"
Ready to build your portfolio