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
Step 1: Install Claude Code
NPM Install
If you have Node.js 18 or newer installed:
Native Install
Alternatively, try our new native install, now in beta.
macOS, Linux, WSL:
Windows PowerShell:
Step 2: Start your first session
Open your terminal in any project directory and start Claude Code:
You’ll see the Claude Code prompt inside a new interactive session:
Your credentials are securely stored on your system. Learn more in Credential Management.
Step 3: Ask your first question
Let’s start with understanding your codebase. Try one of these commands:
Claude will analyze your files and provide a summary. You can also ask more specific questions:
You can also ask Claude about its own capabilities:
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.
Step 4: Make your first code change
Now let’s make Claude Code do some actual coding. Try a simple task:
Claude Code will:
- Find the appropriate file
- Show you the proposed changes
- Ask for your approval
- Make the edit
Claude Code always asks for permission before modifying files. You can approve individual changes or enable “Accept all” mode for a session.
Step 5: Use Git with Claude Code
Claude Code makes Git operations conversational:
You can also prompt for more complex Git operations:
Step 6: Fix a bug or add a feature
Claude is proficient at debugging and feature implementation.
Describe what you want in natural language:
Or fix existing issues:
Claude Code will:
- Locate the relevant code
- Understand the context
- Implement a solution
- Run tests if available
Step 7: Test out other common workflows
There are a number of ways to work with Claude:
Refactor code
Write tests
Update documentation
Code review
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.
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 | 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 for a complete list of commands.
Pro tips for beginners
What’s next?
Now that you’ve learned the basics, explore more advanced features:
Common workflows
Step-by-step guides for common tasks
CLI reference
Master all commands and options
Configuration
Customize Claude Code for your workflow
Getting help
- In Claude Code: Type
/helpor ask “how do I…” - Documentation: You’re here! Browse other guides
- Community: Join our Discord for tips and support