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To set up Claude Code, check that your system meets Anthropic’s requirements, install it with npm, open it from your project directory, and sign in using an eligible account or enterprise provider. The 15-minute framing is a target for a straightforward setup—not a completion time Anthropic guarantees.
What you need before installing Claude Code
Anthropic lists these prerequisites for Claude Code. Check the current setup documentation because supported platforms and requirements can change.
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- Operating system: macOS 10.15 or later; Ubuntu 20.04 or later or Debian 10 or later; or Windows 10 or later using WSL 1/2 or Git for Windows.
- Hardware and runtime: at least 4 GB of RAM and Node.js 18 or later.
- Shell and connectivity: Bash, Zsh, or Fish is preferred, and an internet connection is required.
- Location: Claude Code must be available in an Anthropic-supported country.
How to install and start Claude Code
- Install Node.js 18 or later if it is not already available, then open a terminal.
- Install Claude Code globally with
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code. Anthropic’s setup documentation explicitly warns: “Do NOT usesudo npm install -gas this can lead to permission issues and security risks.” - Check the installation: run
claude doctor. Anthropic says this checks the installation type and version. - Open your project directory in the terminal using
cd, then runclaude. - Complete sign-in using the route that matches your account or organization.
The installation command and account eligibility are separate: a successful install does not provide access to an account route that requires a plan or active billing.
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Which Claude Code sign-in route should you choose?
Anthropic documents these routes; the right choice depends on how you or your organization access Claude.
#1 Best Overall
| Route | Who it fits | Requirement stated by Anthropic |
|---|---|---|
| Anthropic Console | Users authenticating through the Console | Active billing is required. |
| Claude.ai | Users signing in with a Claude.ai account | A Pro or Max plan is required. |
| Amazon Bedrock or Google Vertex AI | Enterprise deployments using a cloud platform | Anthropic lists these as enterprise setup options; the setup page does not state a single universal account condition for either route. |
These are the options listed on Anthropic’s Claude Code setup page. If authentication fails, first identify the route you selected and confirm its account or billing condition before treating the problem as an installation failure.
Four common Claude Code setup mistakes
1. Running the global npm install with sudo
Do not prepend sudo to the documented install command. Anthropic warns that doing so can lead to permission issues and security risks. If the command fails, diagnose the npm permissions problem rather than repeating the installation with elevated privileges.
2. Confusing sign-in eligibility with an install problem
The CLI can be installed even when the chosen account route is not eligible. Console authentication requires active billing, while Claude.ai authentication is listed for Pro or Max. Verify the relevant condition first; the setup documentation does not say that a basic Claude.ai account qualifies for this CLI route.
3. Using the wrong Windows path
Anthropic documents Windows use through WSL 1/2 or Git for Windows. If you use portable Git, the guide shows configuring CLAUDE_CODE_GIT_BASH_PATH to point to bash.exe. Do not assume that instructions for a Unix shell apply unchanged to every Windows terminal.
4. Overlooking network restrictions or terminal behavior
On managed networks, a proxy or custom certificate can prevent access even when installation succeeded. Anthropic’s network configuration guide supports HTTP_PROXY and HTTPS_PROXY, but not NO_PROXY or SOCKS proxies. For custom certificates, it documents SSL_CERT_FILE and NODE_EXTRA_CA_CERTS. The guide lists api.anthropic.com, statsig.anthropic.com, and sentry.io among destinations that may need to be allowed by network policy.
If Shift+Enter does not insert a line break in VS Code or iTerm2, Anthropic documents the /terminal-setup command for terminal configuration. See the terminal configuration guide.
Rank #4
Make the first session useful
Once Claude Code starts in the project directory, ask it for a summary of the project to establish context. Anthropic also suggests running /init to generate a CLAUDE.md project-instructions file; review it and commit it to your repository if it accurately captures the guidance the project should retain. See Anthropic’s memory documentation.
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