Installing and verifying Claude Code CLI

Claude Code is an AI coding agent that runs from your terminal. It is separate from the Claude web or desktop app, and is started with the claude command inside the project directory you want to work on.

What you need

• Node.js 18 or later and npm
• Internet access
• An account that can use Claude Code
• A project directory
• A terminal environment

Step 1: Install Claude Code

The official documentation provides an npm-based install command.

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

To update an existing npm install, install the latest version again.

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

Step 2: Check the command

Confirm that your shell can find the claude command.

claude --version
which claude

Step 3: Sign in

Run Claude Code once and follow the authentication prompt for your account or organization.

claude

Step 4: Start it in a project

Move to the project directory and start Claude Code there.

cd your-project
claude

• claude runs from the terminal
• Authentication is complete
• Claude Code starts inside the target project
• The command is available before connecting from Even Terminal