✅ Step-by-Step Getting Started Guide
Follow these steps to install and start using Claude Code.
Step What to Do Key Details/Examples
1. Install Run the appropriate install command for your OS in your terminal. macOS/Linux/WSL:
BASH
1curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash
Windows (PowerShell):
POWERSHELL
1irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex
2. Authenticate Start an interactive session with claude and follow the prompts to log in. Your credentials are stored locally after the first login.
3. First Interactions In your project directory, start Claude Code by typing claude in your terminal. Then, simply ask it to write you a hello world PowerShell script.
I installed Claude Code
BASH
1curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash
curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash
BASH
1echo 'export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.zshrc && source ~/.zshrc
echo 'export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.zshrc && source ~/.zshrc
claude
Dark mode
Claude account with subscription
Claude Pro Plan
Monthly subscription
Authorize
Login successful
Enter
Yes, use recommended settings
Yes, continue
Prompt
PROMPT
1create a new PowerShell script file named "HelloWorld.ps1". The script should simply output the string "Hello, World!" to the console. Show me the code and explain how to run it.
create a new PowerShell script file named "HelloWorld.ps1"...
"I've created HelloWorld.ps1 with the following code"
Yes, allow all edits during this session (shift+tab)
run it
Yes, and don't ask again for pwsh commands in /Users/neilhaddley/Documents/GitHub/gettingstarted
The script executed successfully and output Hello World! to the console.
pwsh ./HelloWorld.ps1
Claude Code's Visual Studio Code Extension.
what does this script do?