You have probably heard that AI can now write real code on its own. Maybe a friend mentioned Claude Code, or you watched a demo where someone typed a single sentence and a working feature appeared on screen.

Then you opened the setup instructions, saw the word terminal, and quietly closed the tab. If that sounds familiar, you are in the right place.

This guide explains how to use Claude Code from the very first step. We will install it together, run your first task, and cover the small habits that keep it safe and simple. You do not need any command line experience to follow along.

Here is the short version. You install Claude Code with one command, sign in with your Claude account, open a project folder, type the claude command, and then describe your task in plain English. Claude reads your files, writes the code, and waits for your approval before saving anything. Now let us slow down and do each part properly.

1. What Is Claude Code?

Claude Code is an AI coding assistant built by Anthropic, the company behind the Claude models. It is not a normal chatbot.

A chatbot answers your question and then waits. Claude Code acts. It reads the files in your project, writes and edits code, runs commands, and can even create Git commits for you.

Think of it as a junior developer who joins your project, follows your instructions, and never forgets a rule.

According to Anthropic’s official Claude Code documentation, the tool runs in your terminal, inside the VS Code and JetBrains editors, in a desktop app, and even in a browser. You can start your work in one place and move it to another later.

This is part of a wider shift toward agentic AI, where software completes whole tasks instead of waiting for every small instruction.

2. What You Need Before You Start

The checklist is short. You do not need a powerful computer or years of experience.

• A computer running macOS, Windows, or Linux.
• A paid Claude account. Most setups need a Claude subscription, the Pro plan or higher, or an Anthropic Console account with credits. You can check current options on the Claude pricing page.
• A terminal. This is the text window where you type commands. Mac calls it Terminal, while Windows calls it PowerShell or Command Prompt.

Windows users should also install Git for Windows. It lets Claude Code run shell commands properly. Without it, Claude Code falls back to PowerShell instead.

Tip: The recommended installer does not need Node.js at all. You only need Node.js for the older install method, which we cover at the end of the next section.

3. How to Install Claude Code

Installing Claude Code takes one command and only a few minutes. Follow these four steps in order.

3.1 Open Your Terminal

On a Mac, press Command and Space together, type Terminal, and press Enter. On Windows, open the Start menu, search for PowerShell, and open it.

A window with a blinking cursor appears. That cursor is simply waiting for you to type. There is nothing to break here, so relax.

3.2 Run the Install Command

The native installer is the recommended method, because it updates itself quietly in the background. Copy the command for your system, paste it into the terminal, and press Enter.

On macOS, Linux, or WSL, use this command:

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

On Windows PowerShell, use this one instead:

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

Prefer a package manager? On a Mac you can run brew install --cask claude-code, and on Windows you can run winget install Anthropic.ClaudeCode.

3.3 Verify the Installation

Once the script finishes, confirm that it worked. Type this command and press Enter:

claude --version

If a version number appears on the next line, the installation succeeded. You are ready for the next step.

Note: If you see command not found instead of a version number, close the terminal completely and open a fresh one. This refreshes your system so it recognizes the new claude command.

3.4 Sign In to Your Account

Now move into a project folder and start Claude Code. Replace your-project with the name of any folder on your computer.

cd your-project

claude

On the first launch, Claude Code asks you to sign in. A browser window opens, you approve the connection, and then you return to the terminal. After that, you are ready to work.

You may find older guides that use npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code. That npm method still works, but it is now officially deprecated and needs Node.js version 18 or newer. The native installer above is simpler, so beginners should use it.

4. Your First Claude Code Session

Installation is only half the journey. The real moment of clarity comes from your first task, so let us run one together.

4.1 Open a Project Folder

Claude Code works inside a folder. If you already have a small project, use that. If not, create an empty folder and add one or two simple files, so Claude has something to look at.

Then start a session by running the claude command from inside that folder, exactly as you did during sign in.

4.2 Ask Claude to Explore First

Before you ask for any changes, ask Claude to explain the project. This gives Claude useful context, and it gives you a safe first win. Type this and press Enter:

Look at this project and explain what it does in simple terms.

Claude reads your files and replies with a plain English summary. Nothing on your computer changes during this step, so you can explore freely.

4.3 Give Claude a Real Task

Now try a small, clear task. Specific requests work far better than vague ones. For example, you could type:

Add a short comment at the top of every file explaining its purpose.

Notice how the request names exactly what to do. A vague request like make the project better would confuse Claude, while a clear instruction produces a clean result.

4.4 Review and Approve Changes

Here is the part beginners like most. Claude Code shows you exactly what it plans to change before it saves anything. You then approve or reject each step.

Because of this approval system, you stay in full control the entire time. Read each change, and approve it only when it looks right.

Insight: The best habit for new users is simple. Explore, then plan, then build. Ask Claude to explore the project first, ask it to describe its plan second, and only then let it write code. This single habit prevents most beginner frustration.

5. Use Plan Mode for Safer Edits

Plan Mode is a setting that makes Claude describe its full approach before it touches a single file. For beginners, it works like a safety net.

You can turn it on by typing /plan inside a session. You can also press Shift and Tab together to toggle it on and off without typing anything.

With Plan Mode on, Claude shows a numbered plan and then waits. You read the plan, and you approve it before any code is written. Use it for anything that feels large or risky.

6. Essential Slash Commands for Beginners

Inside a Claude Code session, you can type short shortcuts that start with a slash. These are called slash commands, and they control how the session behaves.

You do not need to memorize them. Type / at any time, and Claude shows the full list. Meanwhile, here are the ones that matter most when you are starting out.

Tip: Typing /clear between two different tasks keeps old context from mixing into your new work. It is one of the simplest habits a beginner can build.

7. Set Up a CLAUDE.md File

If you remember one tip from this guide, remember this one. The CLAUDE.md file is a plain text file that sits in your project folder. Claude Code reads it automatically at the start of every session.

Think of it as an instruction note for a new teammate. Inside it, you write your project rules, your preferred tools, and your coding style. As a result, you never have to repeat yourself.

To create one, type /init inside a session. Claude scans your project and writes a starter file for you. After that, you can edit it whenever you like.

Here is a simple example of what goes inside a CLAUDE.md file:

## Commands

– npm run dev starts the local server

– npm test runs the tests

## Style Rules

– Use clear variable names

– Add a short comment above every function

– Keep functions small

Keep the file short, around one hundred lines at most. Anthropic’s documentation on memory and CLAUDE.md explains that a long file uses up the space Claude needs for real work. In short, less is more.

8. Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

Even with a smooth setup, new users tend to hit the same few bumps. Luckily, each one is easy to avoid.

• Skipping the explore step. Asking Claude to build before it understands the project leads to weak results.
• Giving vague instructions. Fix everything confuses the tool, while rename the login button to Sign In works well.
• Never clearing context. Old details from a finished task can muddle a new one, so use the clear command between tasks.
• Ignoring the CLAUDE.md file. Without it, you repeat the same instructions in every session.
• Approving changes without reading them. Always glance at the plan first, because the code stays your responsibility.

9. Claude Code vs Other AI Coding Tools

Many beginners ask how Claude Code differs from tools they already know. Each tool solves a different problem, as the table below shows.

In short, Copilot helps you type, ChatGPT helps you learn, and Claude Code helps you finish. Many developers use all three together.

If you want a wider view of the options available, our roundup of AI tools that programmers can use to generate code compares many more coding assistants.

10. Which Setup Should a Beginner Use?

Learning how to use Claude Code is far easier than most beginners expect. To summarize the whole process:

• Install Claude Code with the native installer, then verify it with the version command.
• Open a project folder, run the claude command, and sign in once.
• Always ask Claude to explore the project before you ask for changes.
• Turn on Plan Mode for anything large, and create a CLAUDE.md file to save your project rules.

The best way to learn is to start small. Install Claude Code today, run one tiny task, and build from there. Each small win adds real skill quickly.

If you enjoyed this walkthrough, you may also like our how to use Google AI Mode beginner guide, which follows the same simple step by step style for another powerful AI tool.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Claude Code free to use?

Claude Code is the tool, but it needs a paid Claude subscription or an Anthropic Console account with credits to run. There is no fully free tier for ongoing use, so check the current pricing page before you start.

Do I need to know how to code to use Claude Code?

It helps to know basic concepts like files and folders. However, you do not need to be fluent in any language, since Claude Code is designed to be approachable for complete beginners.

Does Claude Code work on Windows?

Yes. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Windows users should also install Git for Windows, so Claude Code can run shell commands smoothly during a session.

Can Claude Code change my files without permission?

No. By default it proposes a plan and waits for your approval. You review each step and stay in control of your code, which makes it safe for first time users.

What is Plan Mode in Claude Code?

Plan Mode makes Claude describe its full approach before touching any file. You turn it on with the plan command or by pressing Shift and Tab. Beginners should use it often.

Can I use Claude Code inside VS Code?

Yes. You can install the Claude Code extension by searching for Claude Code in the VS Code Extensions panel. The extension adds inline diffs and review tools inside your editor.