Setup Claude Code
Claude code needs few pre-requisites as mentioned below.
Pre Requisite 1 - Node JS
Node.js version 18 or higher
Goto https://nodejs.org/en/download
Download and install node, verify the vrsion of node and npm
Check Node version after installation, it should be 18 or higher.
node --version
Also check npm version
npm --version
Pre Requisite 2 - Git
Download Git for Windows from: https://git-scm.com/downloads/win
Run the installer with default options (this includes git-bash)
Pre Requisite 3 - Anthropic Subscription or API key
Anthropic Subscription' Go to claude.ai, upgrade (https://claude.ai/upgrade) to Pro or Max.
Anthropic Key: Go to console.anthropic.com, Create an account, Add Credits & Generate an API key
Installation
Now, you can install Claude Code
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
npm install - we're installing a package
-g - the "g" means GLOBAL, so we can use it from anywhere
@anthropic-ai/claude-code - that's the official package name
This will download and install claude-code package and necessary dependencies
Usually takes about 30 seconds depending on your internet speed.
After installation, check the claude version
claude --version
Authentication
Post Installation, you can authenticate with Anthropic subscription or API key.
claude auth login
Your browser pops open, you log in to your Anthropic account, authorize the CLI, and boom - you're done. You'll see a success message in your terminal.
If seamless authentication with browser flow does not happen, you get the Anthropic API key and login in terminal.
claude auth login --api-key YOUR_KEY_HERE
After Authentication, you are all set.