How do I install Claude Code?
Three steps in your Mac's Terminal: run Anthropic's install command, add one line so your Mac can find it afterwards, then run claude and sign in. The second step is the one people skip, and skipping it makes codus report that Claude Code is not installed even though it is.
Do this before you open codus. codus runs Claude Code, so until this is working, codus has nothing to drive.
Before you start
You need a paid Claude plan, Pro or Max, bought from Anthropic. The free Claude.ai plan does not include Claude Code, and your codus seat does not include it either.
If your Claude account belongs to a company team or enterprise workspace, sign in with a personal account instead. Those accounts cannot always be used this way, and the failure is confusing when it happens.
Step 1: Install it
Open Terminal. It is in Applications, inside Utilities, and Spotlight finds it if you search "Terminal".
Copy this line, paste it into Terminal, and press return:
curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash
It takes a minute or two, and you will see it working as it goes.
That command is Anthropic's official installer, and it is the same one codus shows you when you download. If it ever stops working, the current version is on Anthropic's setup page, which is the authority. Ours is a convenience copy.
Step 2: Let your Mac find it
Copy this line, paste it into Terminal, and press return:
echo 'export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.zshrc
This is the step everyone misses, and it is the single most common reason codus reports that Claude Code is not installed. The installer puts claude somewhere your Mac does not check by default, so without this line nothing can find it by name. Nothing warns you, and everything looks like it worked.
It is safe to run twice, so if you are not sure whether you already did it, just run it.
Then close Terminal completely and open it again. The change only applies to newly opened windows, so this will not work until you do.
Step 3: Sign in
- In Terminal, type
claudeand press return. - You are asked to pick a colour scheme. Use the up and down arrow keys, then press return. You cannot click these options, which catches people out. Arrows and return are the only way.
- Choose the option for signing in with your Claude subscription and press return.
- Your browser opens at Anthropic. Sign in and approve the request.
- The confirmation email can take about five minutes. This is normal and it is the slowest part of the whole setup. If nothing arrives, see My Claude Code sign-in email hasn't arrived.
- Back in Terminal, work through the remaining prompts with the arrows and return. You will be asked to confirm you trust the folder, and to accept the terms.
How do I know it worked?
In Terminal, type claude and press return. Claude Code should start and already be signed in, with no sign-in prompt.
Once that works, open codus. The Brain panel on the right will show a working agent instead of a Get Claude Code button.