To install Claude Code on Windows, use either WSL 1 or WSL 2 with Linux Node.js, or native Windows with Git for Windows and Git Bash. In the environment you choose, install Node.js 18 or later, run npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code without sudo, then launch claude from your project directory. The key to avoiding common Windows errors is keeping WSL’s Linux tools separate from Windows tools and making sure Claude Code can find Git Bash in native mode.
Choose WSL or native Windows with Git Bash
Anthropic supports Windows 10 and later through WSL 1, WSL 2, or native Windows using Git for Windows and Git Bash. Both approaches work; choose based on whether you want a Linux or Windows command-line environment.
| Consideration | WSL 1 or WSL 2 | Native Windows |
|---|---|---|
| Shell and tools | Linux environment within Windows | Windows with Git Bash |
| Node.js and npm | Install Linux versions inside your WSL distribution | Install Node.js in the Windows environment where you will run Claude Code |
| Git Bash | Not required for the WSL shell | Requires Git for Windows and a discoverable bash.exe |
| Common path issue | WSL may pick up Windows executables under /mnt/c/ instead of Linux tools |
Claude Code may not find Git Bash if it is installed in a nonstandard location |
Use WSL if you want a Linux environment
Install and run Claude Code inside your Linux distribution, with Linux Node.js and npm. Keep your installation and commands on that side of the boundary rather than mixing Windows and Linux runtimes.
Use native Windows if you prefer Git Bash
Install Git for Windows and run Claude Code from a Windows terminal or Git Bash. If Git Bash is portable or installed somewhere Claude Code does not detect, point Claude Code to its executable using the PowerShell variable described below.
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Check the prerequisites
- Windows 10 or later.
- Node.js 18 or later, installed in the same environment where you will run Claude Code.
- At least 4 GB of RAM.
- An internet connection and access from an Anthropic-supported country.
- Git for Windows when using native Windows with Git Bash.
Authentication also requires an Anthropic-supported access method, such as an Anthropic Console account, Claude Pro or Max, or an enterprise provider.
Install and start Claude Code
- Choose the shell. Open your WSL distribution for a Linux installation, or use a Windows terminal or Git Bash for a native installation.
- Install Node.js 18 or later in that environment. In WSL, use a Linux package manager or Linux Node version manager; do not rely on a Windows Node installation for Linux commands.
- Install Claude Code globally with npm. Run
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code. Anthropic warns: “Do NOT usesudo npm install -gas this can lead to permission issues and security risks.” - Change to your project directory and start Claude Code. Run
claude, then complete the authentication flow for your account or enterprise provider. - Check the installation. Run
claude doctorto diagnose setup problems.
Set Git Bash’s path for native Windows
Claude Code needs Git for Windows when running natively. If Git Bash is portable or installed outside the location Claude Code detects, set CLAUDE_CODE_GIT_BASH_PATH in PowerShell to the full path of bash.exe:
$env:CLAUDE_CODE_GIT_BASH_PATH="C:Program FilesGitbinbash.exe"This PowerShell form applies to the current session. To retain a variable for future PowerShell sessions, use Windows’ user or system environment-variable controls, then open a new shell. If Git is installed elsewhere, substitute the actual path to its bash.exe.
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Diagnose command and PATH problems
If the shell says claude is not recognized or cannot be found, the Claude executable may not be installed or its npm global bin directory may not be on that shell’s PATH. Check command discovery and versions in the same environment where you installed Claude Code.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsPowerShell checks
Get-Command claude
Get-Command node
Get-Command npm
$env:Path
where.exe claude
claude --version
node --version
npm --versionGit Bash or WSL checks
which claude
which node
which npm
echo "$PATH"
claude --version
node --version
npm --versionConfirm that the active shell can locate the expected executables. If you change PATH or a persistent environment variable, close and reopen the shell before checking again. For WSL-specific Node and npm path checks, see the next section.
Fix WSL errors involving Node.js or npm
When Claude Code reports node: not found in WSL, check whether npm and Node.js resolve to Linux executables rather than Windows-mounted ones:
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which npm
which nodeBoth paths should point to Linux locations such as /usr/..., not Windows paths under /mnt/c/.... If either command selects a Windows executable, install Node.js inside the Linux distribution and make sure that distribution’s paths resolve to the Linux installation. Mixing Windows and Linux runtimes can cause missing-Node errors or platform-detection failures.
If npm makes an incorrect platform check in WSL, Anthropic documents these commands for that condition:
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →npm config set os linux
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code --force --no-os-checkUse the forced install only when the WSL platform-check problem applies; it is not the general installation command.
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Resolve proxy, certificate, and authentication failures
If installation or authentication fails on a corporate network, ask your network administrator whether proxy or custom certificate settings are required. Anthropic’s documented proxy settings include HTTP_PROXY and HTTPS_PROXY; networks using a custom certificate authority may also require SSL_CERT_FILE and NODE_EXTRA_CA_CERTS.
Set variables in the shell you use
In PowerShell, environment variables for the current session use this form:
$env:HTTP_PROXY="http://proxy.example:port"
$env:HTTPS_PROXY="http://proxy.example:port"
$env:SSL_CERT_FILE="C:pathtoca-certificates.pem"
$env:NODE_EXTRA_CA_CERTS="C:pathtoca-certificates.pem"In Git Bash or WSL, use the corresponding Unix form:
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export HTTP_PROXY="http://proxy.example:port"
export HTTPS_PROXY="http://proxy.example:port"
export SSL_CERT_FILE="/path/to/ca-certificates.pem"
export NODE_EXTRA_CA_CERTS="/path/to/ca-certificates.pem"Replace the example proxy address and certificate paths with values from your administrator. These assignments apply to the current shell session; use your environment’s normal persistent-variable controls if the settings must be available in later sessions.
Check firewall allowlisting and unsupported proxy settings
Ask the network administrator to allow access to api.anthropic.com, statsig.anthropic.com, and sentry.io. Anthropic states that Claude Code does not support the NO_PROXY environment variable or SOCKS proxies. A network that depends on either may prevent the expected connection from working.
Update Claude Code
To update an existing installation manually, run claude update from the environment where Claude Code is installed.
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