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How to Install and Use Claude Code on Mac: A Beginner's Guide

Before you start

  • A Mac with macOS 13 Ventura or newer and at least 4 GB of RAM. Apple silicon and Intel Macs both work.
  • A paid Claude plan: Pro, Max, Team or Enterprise. A Claude Console (API) account works too. The free plan doesn't include Claude Code.
  • An internet connection and about 10 minutes.

Install Claude Code

Claude Code installs with one command. You don't need anything else first.

  1. 1

    Open Terminal

    Press Command + Space, type Terminal and press Return. A window like this opens.

    Claude Code, step 1: Open Terminal
  2. 2

    Paste the install command

    Copy this command, paste it into Terminal with Command + V and press Return.

    curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash
    Claude Code, step 2: Paste the install command
  3. 3

    Wait for it to finish

    After a minute or two you will see Claude Code successfully installed! Nothing moves while it downloads, so be patient.

    Claude Code, step 3: Wait for it to finish

Fix “command not found”

On a new Mac, Terminal can't find Claude Code yet. These two steps fix that for good.

  1. Optional

    Only on some Macs

    4

    Look for Setup notes

    If the installer shows Setup notes saying ~/.local/bin is not in your PATH, do step 5. If not, skip to step 6.

    Claude Code, step 4: Look for Setup notes
  2. Optional

    Only if you saw Setup notes in step 4

    5

    Paste the PATH command

    Copy this command, paste it into Terminal and press Return.

    echo 'export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.zshrc && source ~/.zshrc
    Claude Code, step 5: Paste the PATH command
  3. 6

    Check that it works

    Type this and press Return. If you see a version number, Claude Code is installed.

    claude --version
    Claude Code, step 6: Check that it works

Start Claude Code and sign in

Claude Code works inside a folder, so you make one for your first project. You only sign in once.

  1. 7

    Make a project folder

    Copy this command, paste it and press Return. It makes a folder called my-first-project and opens it.

    mkdir my-first-project && cd my-first-project
    Claude Code, step 7: Make a project folder
  2. 8

    Start Claude Code

    Type claude and press Return.

    claude
    Claude Code, step 8: Start Claude Code
  3. 9

    Pick a text style

    Press Return to keep Dark mode. Use the arrow keys first if you want another style.

    Claude Code, step 9: Pick a text style
  4. 10

    Choose how to sign in

    Press Return to choose Claude account with subscription.

    Claude Code, step 10: Choose how to sign in
  5. 11

    Sign in in your browser

    Your browser opens. Sign in to Claude and click Authorize. If it doesn't open, press C here and paste the link into your browser.

    Claude Code, step 11: Sign in in your browser
  6. 12

    Read the security notes

    Back in Terminal, read the two notes and press Return.

    Claude Code, step 12: Read the security notes
  7. 13

    Trust your project folder

    Press the down arrow to select Yes, I trust this folder, then press Return.

    Claude Code, step 13: Trust your project folder

Build your first project

Now the fun part. You type what you want in plain English, the same way you would ask a friend who codes.

  1. 14

    Find the message box

    Claude Code is ready. You type everything into the message box at the bottom.

    Claude Code, step 14: Find the message box
  2. 15

    Turn on manual mode

    Press Shift + Tab until you see manual mode on. Now Claude asks before it changes anything.

    Claude Code, step 15: Turn on manual mode
  3. 16

    Ask Claude for something

    Copy this request, paste it into the message box and press Return.

    Make a simple webpage that counts down to New Year's Day. Save it as index.html in this folder.
    Claude Code, step 16: Ask Claude for something
  4. 17

    Say yes to the new file

    Claude shows the file it wants to make. Press Return to choose Yes.

    Claude Code, step 17: Say yes to the new file
  5. 18

    Read what Claude made

    Claude saves index.html and tells you what it did.

    Claude Code, step 18: Read what Claude made
  6. 19

    Ask Claude to open it

    Type this into the message box and press Return.

    open it in my browser
    Claude Code, step 19: Ask Claude to open it
  7. 20

    Say yes to opening it

    Claude asks before it runs anything. Press Return to choose Yes.

    Claude Code, step 20: Say yes to opening it
  8. 21

    See your page

    Your countdown page opens in the browser. You just built your first project.

    Claude Code, step 21: See your page

Useful commands

A few commands you will use all the time.

  1. 22

    See all commands

    Type / in the message box. A list of commands appears.

    Claude Code, step 22: See all commands
  2. 23

    Open the help screen

    Type /help and press Return to see the shortcuts. Press Esc to close it.

    Claude Code, step 23: Open the help screen
  3. 24

    Quit Claude Code

    Type /exit and press Return. Next time, type claude -c in the same folder to carry on where you left off.

    Claude Code, step 24: Quit Claude Code
claudeStart Claude Code in the folder you are in
claude -cCarry on with your last conversation in this folder
/clearStart a fresh conversation
/helpSee the commands and shortcuts
/exitQuit Claude Code (or press Control + D twice)
EscStop Claude in the middle of an answer
Shift + TabSwitch between manual, accept edits, plan and auto mode
Up arrowBring back something you typed earlier

Update or uninstall Claude Code

Claude Code updates itself, so you rarely need this.

  1. Optional

    Claude Code already updates itself

    25

    Update right away

    Type this in Terminal and press Return.

    claude update
    Claude Code, step 25: Update right away

Uninstall Claude Code

Run this in Terminal to remove Claude Code from your Mac.

rm -f ~/.local/bin/clauderm -rf ~/.local/share/claude

To also delete your settings and conversation history, run this too. You can't undo it.

rm -rf ~/.clauderm ~/.claude.json

FAQ

Is Claude Code free?

No. Claude Code needs a paid Claude plan (Pro, Max, Team or Enterprise) or a Claude Console account with API credits. The free plan doesn't include it.

Does Claude Code work on Intel Macs?

Yes. It runs on Apple silicon and Intel Macs with macOS 13 Ventura or newer and at least 4 GB of RAM.

Can I install Claude Code with Homebrew?

Yes. Run brew install --cask claude-code. A Homebrew install doesn't update itself, so run brew upgrade claude-code every now and then.

Do I have to use Terminal?

No. Claude Code is also in the Claude desktop app, in VS Code and JetBrains editors, and on the web at claude.ai/code. Terminal is simply the quickest way to start.

Can Claude Code change or delete my files?

Yes, which is why it asks first. In manual mode, Claude asks before it creates or changes a file or runs a command, and you can always choose No.

That's it. Claude Code is now set up on your Mac, and you have already built your first project with it. From here, just open Terminal, go to a folder and type claude. Want a real task to try next? See our guide on how to debloat any Android phone with Claude Code.

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