---
title: How do I install Claude Code on Mac or Windows?
question: install Claude Code Mac Windows PowerShell
area: getting-started
surface: desktop
audience: beginner
keywords: [Claude Code, install, sign in, PATH, terminal, PowerShell, team enterprise]
related: [what-do-i-need-before-i-start, how-do-i-install-openai-codex]
updated: 2026-09-09
visibility: public
---

# How do I install Claude Code on Mac or Windows?

Install Anthropic's Claude Code command-line app, then run `claude` and complete its sign-in. Codus can use it for quadrants and Brains. Installing the separate Claude desktop app alone is not the same setup.

## Before you start

You need access to Claude Code through an authentication method supported by Anthropic. Your Codus seat does not include it. If your organisation manages your account, check its access policy rather than creating another personal subscription.

## Install the command-line app

1. On Mac, open **Terminal** and run:

   ```sh
   curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash
   ```

2. On Windows, open **PowerShell** and run:

   ```powershell
   irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex
   ```

Use the command for your operating system. These commands come from [Anthropic's official setup guide](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/setup) and each downloads and runs Anthropic's installer script. Do not add anything that turns off the PowerShell execution policy. If your organisation restricts running downloaded scripts, follow that guide's other installation methods, such as Anthropic's npm package.

3. Open a new terminal and run `claude --version`.
4. Run `claude`, follow the account sign-in prompts and return after browser approval.

If the program is not found, follow the installer's PATH instructions. Do not repeatedly append shell settings without checking the message. On Windows, WSL and native PowerShell are different installation environments.

## Start Claude in Codus

1. Reopen Codus if it was running before installation.
2. Select **Claude** in the Brain, or **start → Claude → boot project** in a project quadrant.
3. Read first-use trust and permission prompts. Approve only the intended folder and recognised tools.
4. If a terminal prompt offers choices, use its arrow keys and **Enter**.

## How do I know it worked?

Claude opens signed in and accepts your message in Codus. A browser sign-in delay is an authentication issue, not proof that installation failed. For a missing command, see [Claude Code is not installed](../troubleshooting/codus-says-claude-code-is-not-installed.md).