Just the installation specifics — not the broader "what to expect" framing, which is covered elsewhere. This is about getting it running correctly, start to finish.
You'll need one to authenticate once installed — Free, Pro, Max, Team, or Enterprise, depending on how you plan to use it. Sort this out before installing so authentication isn't a separate blocker afterward.
Check Anthropic's current official documentation for the exact install command — installation methods can change, and a third-party source isn't a reliable place to get it from. This is the one step worth double-checking against the real, current docs rather than an older guide.
Running outside of WSL is the most common source of early friction on Windows. Setting up WSL first, then installing inside it, avoids most of the setup snags people hit — see Windows vs Mac for the full comparison.
Sign in with the account from Step 1. This connects the installed tool to your actual plan and usage.
Run it inside a real project directory and ask something simple and read-only — explain what this file does. A correct, sensible response confirms setup worked end to end, before you touch anything that matters.
The free guide covers the permission model and a first real workflow — the natural next step after setup.
Get the Free Guide →Through Anthropic's official channels directly — check the current official documentation for the exact install command, since installation methods can change and a third-party source isn't a reliable place to get it from.
Yes — you'll need a Claude account (Free, Pro, Max, Team, or Enterprise depending on how you plan to use it) to authenticate once installed.
On Windows, running outside of WSL is the most common source of friction — setting up WSL first, then installing inside it, avoids most early issues.
Run it in a real project directory and ask it something simple and read-only, like explaining what a file does. A correct, sensible response confirms setup worked end to end.