Installation

Install Claude Code via npm, native binary, or platform package manager on macOS, Linux, or Windows.

Prerequisites

Before installing Claude Code, make sure you have:

• Node.js 18 or later — Required for the npm installation method. Check your version with node --version.
• npm — Comes with Node.js. Check with npm --version.
• An Anthropic account — Either a claude.ai subscription (Pro or Max) or an API key from console.anthropic.com.

Install via npm

The npm global install is the fastest way to get started and works on all platforms.

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

This installs the claude command to your npm global bin directory. After installation, verify it works:

claude --version

If you see command not found: claude after installing, your npm global bin directory may not be on your PATH. Run npm bin -g to find the directory, then add it to your shell configuration file.

Other package managers

npm

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

Native binary install

Claude Code also distributes a self-contained native binary for each platform. The native install places the binary at ~/.local/bin/claude (or %USERPROFILE%\.local\bin\claude.exe on Windows) and manages updates independently of npm.

To install or switch to the native binary, run the claude install CLI command:

claude install

You can also specify a target version or channel:

claude install stable   # latest stable release
claude install latest   # latest pre-release
claude install 1.2.3    # specific version

The install command:

1. Downloads the latest native binary for your platform and architecture
2. Places it at ~/.local/bin/claude
3. Sets up shell integration so the directory is on your PATH
4. Removes old npm-based installations to avoid conflicts

macOS

The native installer places the binary at ~/.local/bin/claude and creates a symlink. Supported architectures: x64 and arm64 (Apple Silicon).

After running claude install, add ~/.local/bin to your PATH if it is not already there:

echo 'export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.zshrc
source ~/.zshrc

Linux

The native installer supports x64, arm64, and linux-x64-musl (Alpine and other musl-based distros). The binary is placed at ~/.local/bin/claude.

After running claude install, add ~/.local/bin to your PATH if it is not already there:

echo 'export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc

Windows

On Windows, the native installer places a claude.exe at %USERPROFILE%\.local\bin\claude.exe. No symlink is created — the executable is copied directly.

After running claude install, add the directory to your PATH:

1. Open System Properties → Environment Variables
2. Under User variables, select Path and click Edit
3. Click New and add %USERPROFILE%\.local\bin
4. Restart your terminal

PowerShell users can run: [Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable("Path", $env:Path + ";$env:USERPROFILE\.local\bin", "User")

Authentication setup

Run claude after installing. On the first launch, Claude Code prompts you to authenticate.

claude

You will see an authentication menu with two options:

Option 1: Sign in with claude.ai (recommended)

If you have a claude.ai subscription (Pro or Max), choose this option. Claude Code opens an OAuth flow in your browser. After you approve the connection, Claude Code stores a token locally and you are signed in.

Option 2: Use an API key

If you use the Anthropic API directly, choose the API key option and paste your key when prompted. You can also set the key as an environment variable before launching:

export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="sk-ant-..."
claude

Setting ANTHROPIC_API_KEY as an environment variable bypasses the authentication prompt on every launch. This is useful for CI environments and automated workflows.

Switching accounts

To sign in with a different account or switch authentication methods, run /login inside any session:

/login

Verify the installation

After installing and authenticating, confirm everything works:

claude --version

Then start a session and run /help to see available commands:

claude

> /help

You should see a list of all built-in slash commands. If you see the help output, Claude Code is installed and authenticated correctly.

Upgrading

Update to the latest version

Run the claude update command (alias: claude upgrade) to check for and install the latest release:

claude update

To install the native binary or a specific release channel, use claude install:

claude install stable   # latest stable release
claude install latest   # latest pre-release

Update via npm

If you installed via npm, update with your package manager:

npm

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

Automatic updates

Claude Code checks for updates in the background and installs them automatically when a new version is available. You can see the current auto-update settings with /config and toggle them there.

Uninstalling

npm install

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

Native binary

Remove the binary and its parent directory from your PATH:

rm ~/.local/bin/claude

Then remove the data directory if you want to delete all stored settings and session history:

rm -rf ~/.local/share/claude
rm -rf ~/.claude

Troubleshooting

command not found: claude after npm install

Your npm global bin directory is not on your PATH. Run npm bin -g to find it, then add it to your shell’s config file (~/.zshrc, ~/.bashrc, or equivalent).

Could not install — another process is currently installing Claude

Another Claude Code process is already performing an install or update. Wait a moment and try again. If the error persists, use --force:

claude install --force

Authentication errors on startup

Run /login inside a session to re-authenticate. If you are using an API key, check that ANTHROPIC_API_KEY is set correctly in your environment.

Checking your installation status

Use the /doctor command inside a session to run a diagnostic check:

/doctor

This reports your installation type, binary path, authentication status, and any configuration issues.