Claude Code overview - Claude Code Docs (original) (raw)

Claude Code is an AI-powered coding assistant that helps you build features, fix bugs, and automate development tasks. It understands your entire codebase and can work across multiple files and tools to get things done.

Get started

Choose your environment to get started. Most surfaces require a Claude subscription or Anthropic Console account. The Terminal CLI and VS Code also support third-party providers.

The full-featured CLI for working with Claude Code directly in your terminal. Edit files, run commands, and manage your entire project from the command line.To install Claude Code, use one of the following methods:

macOS, Linux, WSL:

curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash

Windows PowerShell:

irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex

Windows CMD:

curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.cmd -o install.cmd && install.cmd && del install.cmd

If you see The token '&&' is not a valid statement separator, you’re in PowerShell, not CMD. Use the PowerShell command above instead. Your prompt shows PS C:\ when you’re in PowerShell.Windows requires Git for Windows. Install it first if you don’t have it.

brew install --cask claude-code

Homebrew offers two casks. claude-code tracks the stable release channel, which is typically about a week behind and skips releases with major regressions. claude-code@latest tracks the latest channel and receives new versions as soon as they ship.

winget install Anthropic.ClaudeCode

Then start Claude Code in any project:

You’ll be prompted to log in on first use. That’s it! Continue with the Quickstart →

The VS Code extension provides inline diffs, @-mentions, plan review, and conversation history directly in your editor.

Or search for “Claude Code” in the Extensions view (Cmd+Shift+X on Mac, Ctrl+Shift+X on Windows/Linux). After installing, open the Command Palette (Cmd+Shift+P / Ctrl+Shift+P), type “Claude Code”, and select Open in New Tab.Get started with VS Code →

A standalone app for running Claude Code outside your IDE or terminal. Review diffs visually, run multiple sessions side by side, schedule recurring tasks, and kick off cloud sessions.Download and install:

After installing, launch Claude, sign in, and click the Code tab to start coding. A paid subscription is required.Learn more about the desktop app →

Run Claude Code in your browser with no local setup. Kick off long-running tasks and check back when they’re done, work on repos you don’t have locally, or run multiple tasks in parallel. Available on desktop browsers and the Claude iOS app.Start coding at claude.ai/code.Get started on the web →

A plugin for IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, WebStorm, and other JetBrains IDEs with interactive diff viewing and selection context sharing.Install the Claude Code plugin from the JetBrains Marketplace and restart your IDE.Get started with JetBrains →

What you can do

Here are some of the ways you can use Claude Code:

Use Claude Code everywhere

Each surface connects to the same underlying Claude Code engine, so your CLAUDE.md files, settings, and MCP servers work across all of them. Beyond the Terminal, VS Code, JetBrains, Desktop, and Web environments above, Claude Code integrates with CI/CD, chat, and browser workflows:

I want to… Best option
Continue a local session from my phone or another device Remote Control
Push events from Telegram, Discord, iMessage, or my own webhooks into a session Channels
Start a task locally, continue on mobile Web or Claude iOS app
Run Claude on a recurring schedule Cloud scheduled tasks or Desktop scheduled tasks
Automate PR reviews and issue triage GitHub Actions or GitLab CI/CD
Get automatic code review on every PR GitHub Code Review
Route bug reports from Slack to pull requests Slack
Debug live web applications Chrome
Build custom agents for your own workflows Agent SDK

Next steps

Once you’ve installed Claude Code, these guides help you go deeper.