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Setup Guide

macOS
Step-by-step guide

Install Claude Code on your Mac

Follow these steps in order. You copy a line of text, paste it into one app, and press a key. That's the whole thing.

Takes about 5 minutes No tech skills needed For Mac computers

Claude Code lets you talk to Claude (the AI assistant) right on your own computer, so it can help with the files and projects on your Mac. To set it up, you'll use an app called Terminal that already comes built into every Mac. You don't need to install anything else first.

Tip: See an underlined wordAny word with a dotted line under it has a simple explanation. Just rest your mouse on it (or tap it on a phone) to read what it means.? Rest your mouse on it for a plain explanation.
1

Open the Terminal app

The TerminalA small app that already comes with every Mac. Instead of clicking buttons, you type or paste in short lines of text. You don't need to install it — it's already there. is the app you'll use for the next few steps. To open it: hold the Command (⌘) key and tap the Spacebar. A search box pops up. Type the word Terminal, then press the Return key.

Spotlight Search
🔍 Terminal ───────────────────────────────── ⌥ Terminal — Application Press Return to open

A plain window with text will open up. That's the Terminal. You're ready for the next step.

2

Copy and paste the setup line

Copy the line of text below. Then click inside the Terminal window, paste it in, and press Return. The Mac will take care of the rest on its own.

Terminal — bash
you@mac ~ % curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash Downloading Claude Code... Installing to ~/.local/bin ............ done ✓ Claude Code installed successfully # Restart your Terminal after this finishes
What is this doing? This line of textAn instruction for the computer. You don't need to know what it means — just copy it exactly as shown. tells your Mac to download Claude Code and set it up. You don't have to do anything while it runs. When it finishes, close the Terminal window and open it again so the setup is ready to use.
3

Point it at your folder

Claude Code helps with the files inside one folderA normal folder on your Mac that holds your files — the same kind of folder you open in Finder. at a time. To tell it which folder to use, type cd (short for "change to") followed by a space and the folder's name, then press Return. Swap the example name below for your own folder's name.

Terminal — bash
you@mac ~ % cd Desktop/my-project you@mac my-project % # you're now inside the folder
Not sure which folder to use? No problem. You can skip this step for now and go straight to the next one. You can always point it at a folder later.
4

Turn it on

Type the word claude and press Return. The very first time, it will ask you to sign in. It opens your web browser so you can log in, just like signing in to any website.

Terminal — claude
you@mac my-project % claude ✻ Welcome to Claude Code Sign in to continue: > Claude account (subscription) Anthropic Console (API key) Use ↑ ↓ to choose, then press Return

Choose Claude account if you pay for a Claude plan (most people pick this). Choose Anthropic Console only if you were given an API keyA private code some people use to pay for usage instead of a monthly plan. If nobody gave you one, you don't need it.. When the browser opens, click to approve the sign-in, then switch back to the Terminal.

5

You're all set — just type

After you sign in, you'll see a spot to type. Write whatever you need in normal, everyday English, the same way you'd ask a person. Ask a question or describe what you want, and Claude does the work in your folder.

Terminal — claude
✻ Claude Code · my-project > explain what's in this folder Claude is reading your files... Type /help any time to see what's possible
And you're done. To close it, type /exit and press Return. To use it again another day, just open the Terminal, point it at your folder, and type claude. You only install it once.
Something not working? If the Terminal says "command not found: claude", fully close the Terminal (hold ⌘ and tap Q), open it again, and try once more. If it says "command not found: curl", paste this line first — xcode-select --install — click Install on the popup that appears, wait for it to finish, then go back and do Step 2 again. Still stuck? Use the button below and we'll help.

Want us to do it with you?

If your screen looks different, or you'd just rather have someone walk you through it on a quick call, we're happy to help. Pick a time and we'll get you set up.

Schedule a setup call