# Source: https://code.claude.com/docs/en/quickstart.md

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://code.claude.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Quickstart

> Welcome to Claude Code!

This quickstart guide will have you using AI-powered coding assistance in just a few minutes. By the end, you'll understand how to use Claude Code for common development tasks.

## Before you begin

Make sure you have:

* A terminal or command prompt open
* A code project to work with
* A [Claude subscription](https://claude.com/pricing) (Pro, Max, Teams, or Enterprise), [Claude Console](https://console.anthropic.com/) account, or access through a [supported cloud provider](/en/third-party-integrations)

<Note>
  This guide covers the terminal CLI. Claude Code is also available on the [web](https://claude.ai/code), as a [desktop app](/en/desktop), in [VS Code](/en/vs-code) and [JetBrains IDEs](/en/jetbrains), in [Slack](/en/slack), and in CI/CD with [GitHub Actions](/en/github-actions) and [GitLab](/en/gitlab-ci-cd). See [all interfaces](/en/overview#use-claude-code-everywhere).
</Note>

## Step 1: Install Claude Code

To install Claude Code, use one of the following methods:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Native Install (Recommended)">
    **macOS, Linux, WSL:**

    ```bash  theme={null}
    curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash
    ```

    **Windows PowerShell:**

    ```powershell  theme={null}
    irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex
    ```

    **Windows CMD:**

    ```batch  theme={null}
    curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.cmd -o install.cmd && install.cmd && del install.cmd
    ```

    <Info>
      Native installations automatically update in the background to keep you on the latest version.
    </Info>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Homebrew">
    ```sh  theme={null}
    brew install --cask claude-code
    ```

    <Info>
      Homebrew installations do not auto-update. Run `brew upgrade claude-code` periodically to get the latest features and security fixes.
    </Info>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="WinGet">
    ```powershell  theme={null}
    winget install Anthropic.ClaudeCode
    ```

    <Info>
      WinGet installations do not auto-update. Run `winget upgrade Anthropic.ClaudeCode` periodically to get the latest features and security fixes.
    </Info>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Step 2: Log in to your account

Claude Code requires an account to use. When you start an interactive session with the `claude` command, you'll need to log in:

```bash  theme={null}
claude
# You'll be prompted to log in on first use
```

```bash  theme={null}
/login
# Follow the prompts to log in with your account
```

You can log in using any of these account types:

* [Claude Pro, Max, Teams, or Enterprise](https://claude.com/pricing) (recommended)
* [Claude Console](https://console.anthropic.com/) (API access with pre-paid credits). On first login, a "Claude Code" workspace is automatically created in the Console for centralized cost tracking.
* [Amazon Bedrock, Google Vertex AI, or Microsoft Foundry](/en/third-party-integrations) (enterprise cloud providers)

Once logged in, your credentials are stored and you won't need to log in again. To switch accounts later, use the `/login` command.

## Step 3: Start your first session

Open your terminal in any project directory and start Claude Code:

```bash  theme={null}
cd /path/to/your/project
claude
```

You'll see the Claude Code welcome screen with your session information, recent conversations, and latest updates. Type `/help` for available commands or `/resume` to continue a previous conversation.

<Tip>
  After logging in (Step 2), your credentials are stored on your system. Learn more in [Credential Management](/en/authentication#credential-management).
</Tip>

## Step 4: Ask your first question

Let's start with understanding your codebase. Try one of these commands:

```
what does this project do?
```

Claude will analyze your files and provide a summary. You can also ask more specific questions:

```
what technologies does this project use?
```

```
where is the main entry point?
```

```
explain the folder structure
```

You can also ask Claude about its own capabilities:

```
what can Claude Code do?
```

```
how do I create custom skills in Claude Code?
```

```
can Claude Code work with Docker?
```

<Note>
  Claude Code reads your files as needed - you don't have to manually add context. Claude also has access to its own documentation and can answer questions about its features and capabilities.
</Note>

## Step 5: Make your first code change

Now let's make Claude Code do some actual coding. Try a simple task:

```
add a hello world function to the main file
```

Claude Code will:

1. Find the appropriate file
2. Show you the proposed changes
3. Ask for your approval
4. Make the edit

<Note>
  Claude Code always asks for permission before modifying files. You can approve individual changes or enable "Accept all" mode for a session.
</Note>

## Step 6: Use Git with Claude Code

Claude Code makes Git operations conversational:

```
what files have I changed?
```

```
commit my changes with a descriptive message
```

You can also prompt for more complex Git operations:

```
create a new branch called feature/quickstart
```

```
show me the last 5 commits
```

```
help me resolve merge conflicts
```

## Step 7: Fix a bug or add a feature

Claude is proficient at debugging and feature implementation.

Describe what you want in natural language:

```
add input validation to the user registration form
```

Or fix existing issues:

```
there's a bug where users can submit empty forms - fix it
```

Claude Code will:

* Locate the relevant code
* Understand the context
* Implement a solution
* Run tests if available

## Step 8: Test out other common workflows

There are a number of ways to work with Claude:

**Refactor code**

```
refactor the authentication module to use async/await instead of callbacks
```

**Write tests**

```
write unit tests for the calculator functions
```

**Update documentation**

```
update the README with installation instructions
```

**Code review**

```
review my changes and suggest improvements
```

<Tip>
  **Remember**: Claude Code is your AI pair programmer. Talk to it like you would a helpful colleague - describe what you want to achieve, and it will help you get there.
</Tip>

## Essential commands

Here are the most important commands for daily use:

| Command             | What it does                                           | Example                             |
| ------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ | ----------------------------------- |
| `claude`            | Start interactive mode                                 | `claude`                            |
| `claude "task"`     | Run a one-time task                                    | `claude "fix the build error"`      |
| `claude -p "query"` | Run one-off query, then exit                           | `claude -p "explain this function"` |
| `claude -c`         | Continue most recent conversation in current directory | `claude -c`                         |
| `claude -r`         | Resume a previous conversation                         | `claude -r`                         |
| `claude commit`     | Create a Git commit                                    | `claude commit`                     |
| `/clear`            | Clear conversation history                             | `/clear`                            |
| `/help`             | Show available commands                                | `/help`                             |
| `exit` or Ctrl+C    | Exit Claude Code                                       | `exit`                              |

See the [CLI reference](/en/cli-reference) for a complete list of commands.

## Pro tips for beginners

For more, see [best practices](/en/best-practices) and [common workflows](/en/common-workflows).

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Be specific with your requests">
    Instead of: "fix the bug"

    Try: "fix the login bug where users see a blank screen after entering wrong credentials"
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Use step-by-step instructions">
    Break complex tasks into steps:

    ```
    1. create a new database table for user profiles
    2. create an API endpoint to get and update user profiles
    3. build a webpage that allows users to see and edit their information
    ```
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Let Claude explore first">
    Before making changes, let Claude understand your code:

    ```
    analyze the database schema
    ```

    ```
    build a dashboard showing products that are most frequently returned by our UK customers
    ```
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Save time with shortcuts">
    * Press `?` to see all available keyboard shortcuts
    * Use Tab for command completion
    * Press ↑ for command history
    * Type `/` to see all commands and skills
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## What's next?

Now that you've learned the basics, explore more advanced features:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="How Claude Code works" icon="microchip" href="/en/how-claude-code-works">
    Understand the agentic loop, built-in tools, and how Claude Code interacts with your project
  </Card>

  <Card title="Best practices" icon="star" href="/en/best-practices">
    Get better results with effective prompting and project setup
  </Card>

  <Card title="Common workflows" icon="graduation-cap" href="/en/common-workflows">
    Step-by-step guides for common tasks
  </Card>

  <Card title="Extend Claude Code" icon="puzzle-piece" href="/en/features-overview">
    Customize with CLAUDE.md, skills, hooks, MCP, and more
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Getting help

* **In Claude Code**: Type `/help` or ask "how do I..."
* **Documentation**: You're here! Browse other guides
* **Community**: Join our [Discord](https://www.anthropic.com/discord) for tips and support