Claude Code Intro Lesson 1 of 3

Setup

What this lesson teaches

Before using Claude Code, you need to install it and configure your API access. This lesson walks through the complete setup process.

Prerequisites

Make sure you have:

  • Node.js 18+ installed (check with node --version)
  • A terminal you're comfortable with
  • An Anthropic account for API access

Installation

Install Claude Code globally using npm:

npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

Verify the installation:

claude --version

Authentication

Claude Code needs API access. You have two options:

Option 1: Anthropic API (Direct)

Get your API key from console.anthropic.com and run:

claude config set api_key YOUR_API_KEY

Option 2: Claude Max subscription

If you have Claude Max, authenticate via browser:

claude auth login

Which to choose? Claude Max is simpler for personal use. API keys give more control and are better for teams.

First Run

Navigate to any project folder and start Claude Code:

cd your-project
claude

You'll see an interactive prompt. Try asking something simple:

> What files are in this directory?

Claude will read your directory and respond. That's it—you're set up.

Important: Always start Claude Code from your project root. It uses the current directory as context for understanding your codebase.

Key Takeaways

  • Install with npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
  • Authenticate via API key or Claude Max
  • Always run from your project root directory
  • Type claude to start an interactive session