Setting up Claude Code on Windows is done with a tool called PowerShell.
Here are the step-by-step instructions to get it running on your Windows PC.
1. How to Open the Terminal (PowerShell)
On Windows, you want to use PowerShell because it has the permissions needed to install new software.
- The Best Way: Right-click the Start button (the Windows icon) and select Terminal (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- Alternative: Press the Windows Key, type “PowerShell”, right-click it, and select Run as Administrator.Note: If a blue box pops up asking “Do you want to allow this app to make changes?”, click Yes.
2. Installation
Once your blue PowerShell window is open, choose one of these methods.
Option A: Native Installer (Easiest)
This is the recommended “one-click” way for Windows. It handles all the background settings for you.
Type and then press enter:
PowerShell
irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex
Option B: NPM Installation
Use this if you are a developer who already has Node.js installed.
Type and then press enter:
Plaintext
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
Simple Tip for Beginners: Windows sometimes has a “security guard” that prevents random scripts from running. If the first command gives you an error, you might need to “unlock” your PowerShell temporarily. To do that, type
Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser, press enter, then try the install command again.
3. Authentication & Sign In
Now you need to connect the tool to your account.
- Launch: Type and then press enter:
claude - Verify: Your browser will open automatically. Sign in to your Claude account and paste the code shown in your PowerShell window.
- Check-up: To make sure Windows is talking to Claude correctly, type and then press enter:Plaintext
claude doctor
4. Basic Commands
Claude Code works within the folder you currently have open in your PowerShell.
| Command | Action |
claude | Start a new AI coding session. |
claude --continue | Pick up where you left off. |
/exit | Close the session (or just close the window). |
? | Get a list of all things Claude can do. |
5. Essential Requirement: Git for Windows
For Claude Code to actually “see” your code changes and save them properly on Windows, you must have Git installed.
If you don’t have it, go to git-scm.com, download the “Standalone Installer,” and run it using all the default settings. Without this, Claude Code will be able to talk to you, but it won’t be able to “touch” your files.