Academy · Terminal agents · TA-02

TA-02 · First agent (recommended)

Claude Code

Install Anthropic's terminal agent the official way and complete one real prompt in a project folder.

30–60 min · same day Needs: TA-01 + Claude account Outcome: claude on PATH + first session

Who this is for

Beginners who want Anthropic's terminal agent. You need Claude Pro/Max/Team/Enterprise or Claude Console access — see the official quickstart. No Anthropic account and won't get one? Skip to TA-03 instead.

Which machine are you on? (saved from TA-01 if you picked there)

↑ Pick one to see only your install path. (Showing all until you do.)

The emergency brake

  • Installer hangs or scrolls forever? Hold Ctrl + tap C, close the terminal, open a fresh one, try once more.
  • Scary red text? Copy the exact error — you'll need it for the fix table below or a consult. Red text is information, not damage.

OS matrix — pick your row

Compare all three OS paths (reference — your picker above already filtered the steps)
macOSWindows nativeWSL
Recommendedcurl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bashPowerShell: irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iexSame curl installer as macOS/Linux
Altbrew install --cask claude-codewinget install Anthropic.ClaudeCodeapt/dnf/apk options — see advanced setup
Git noteNormal gitGit for Windows recommended for Bash toolLinux git

npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code is deprecated per Anthropic — don't use it for new setups.

installmacOS / WSL 
curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash
installWindows PowerShell 
irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex

Install, verify, and run once

  1. Install — pick one row from the matrix above.
  2. Verify: claude --version — expect a version plus (Claude Code).
  3. Auth: cd into a project folder → run claude → complete browser login. Beginners: prefer subscription login over pasting ANTHROPIC_API_KEY. Not sure which folder? Do PF-01 · Why the Folder Matters first — 15 minutes that saves hours.
  4. First successful run: ask “what does this project do?” — or in an empty folder, “create a hello.txt that says hello”.
  5. Exit: /exit or follow the on-screen quit.

Try this

Run the version check for your OS path right now — before the login step.

You should see: a version number. command not found instead? Close the terminal, open a fresh window, and try once more — PATH usually fixes itself.

Undo: wrong install? Re-run your OS block in a fresh terminal. Nothing here deletes files.

New to terminals generally? Anthropic's terminal guide for new users is worth the read.

Success check

  • claude --version prints a version
  • Logged in (browser flow, no shared keys)
  • One real prompt answered about a folder

Common failure modes

FailureFix
PowerShell vs CMD confusionPS prefix → PowerShell script; bare C:\ → CMD script
curl returns HTML / 403See Anthropic troubleshoot install; try Homebrew/WinGet
claude: command not foundNew terminal; run PATH fix from installer notes
No accountStop; get Claude access first — don't share someone else's key

Don't buy / don't install yet

Skip Claude Code if you refuse any Anthropic account and won't use Console credits. A free ChatGPT-only user should try TA-03 instead — no shame in picking the account you already have.

Sources: code.claude.com docs · anthropics/claude-code. Commands checked 2026-09-25; if one fails, the official page wins.

One agent working is a finished project.

Stop here if Claude Code covers your work. Only continue if you genuinely need another vendor's models.

Book free