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Setting Up Claude Code

The terminal is the biggest hurdle. Once you get past it, the rest follows. No coding experience required.

This section takes you from zero to a working Claude Code installation. If you want to see what coding agents do before setting one up, start with What Are Coding Agents?.

Watch first: Claude Code for non-engineers (43 min)

This video walkthrough by Ally Miller is the best introduction we have found for non-technical users. She demonstrates real tasks: creating and editing files, building a dashboard from a CSV, turning data into a presentation, managing files on your computer, and creating reusable agents — all in plain English with no coding background assumed. Note: The installation steps shown in the video (~2:00) are outdated — use our install guides below instead. Everything after the install is still accurate and worth watching.

Key moments: Installation (~2:00) | Creating & editing files (~8:45) | CSV to dashboard (~13:45) | Dashboard to presentation (~22:45) | System utilities (~27:00) | Modes & settings (~33:00) | Creating agents (~36:20)

How to Run Claude Code

Our recommendation: just use the terminal. The text-only command line that comes with your Mac or PC is all you need. It is the simplest path, it is what the install guides walk you through, and it is how we run Claude Code day to day. Black screen, blinking cursor -- that is the whole interface.

If you prefer a visual environment, you can optionally run Claude Code inside a code editor like VS Code (free). A code editor gives you a file explorer, a text editor, and a built-in terminal all in one window. Claude Code runs in the editor's terminal, and you can watch its changes appear as color-coded highlights. This can be helpful for longer sessions where you want to see your files while you work.

Terminal (recommended) Code Editor (optional)
What it looks like Black screen, blinking cursor, text only Visual file explorer on the left, editor in the center, Claude in a side panel
Setup Just install Claude Code -- nothing else needed Install VS Code + the Claude Code extension
Best for Most tasks, quick iterations, keeping things simple Longer sessions where you want to browse files visually

If you do want a code editor, VS Code is what we recommend -- it is free and has an official Claude Code extension. Either way, the code editor is optional -- everything on this site works from a plain terminal.

Get Started (Do These in Order)

Step 1: Install Claude Code

Open Terminal (Cmd + Space -> "Terminal" -> Enter), then run:

curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash
claude                  # first run — authenticates in browser

That is it -- one command installs everything. No other software to install first.

Full Mac walkthrough

Install Git for Windows first (required). Then open PowerShell (Windows key -> "PowerShell" -> Enter) and run:

irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex
claude                  # first run — authenticates in browser

Full Windows walkthrough

Steps 2-4: Configure

Step What You'll Do Time
Set Up VS Code (optional) Install VS Code and the Claude Code extension. Helpful for visual file browsing, but not required. 15 min
Your CLAUDE.md Create the instruction file that makes Claude Code work for you -- your role, your courses, your research. 30 min
MCP Setup Connect Claude Code to Gmail, Google Calendar, and other services. 30-60 min

How Claude Code Thinks

When you first launch Claude Code, you are in Default mode -- the safest starting point. Claude proposes changes and waits for you to approve each one before it touches your files. As you get comfortable, you can change that.

The Three Modes

Mode What Claude Does What You See
Default Proposes edits as diffs. You confirm each one. Normal prompt
Plan Mode Explores and proposes -- touches nothing. Reads files, suggests approaches. You decide. (plan) label
Auto-Accept Applies edits automatically without asking. ⏵⏵ accept edits on

Accidentally in Auto-Accept?

If Claude started making changes without asking, look for the ⏵⏵ indicator. Press Shift+Tab until it disappears and you see the normal prompt. To undo changes: Cmd+Z (Mac) or Ctrl+Z (Windows) in VS Code.

How to Switch: Press Shift+Tab to cycle through modes (Default -> Plan -> Auto-Accept -> Default). You can also type /plan to jump to Plan mode directly.

When to Use Each Mode

Situation Mode
"I want to understand what is in this project" Plan mode -- Claude reads and proposes without touching files
"Claude keeps asking me to approve small edits and I trust it" Auto-Accept -- edits apply immediately
"I want Claude to draft something but I want to review first" Default -- Claude proposes, you confirm
"I want Claude to explore options, then I'll decide" Plan mode, then switch to Default to execute

Start in Default mode. Switch to Plan mode when you want Claude to think without acting, and to Auto-Accept when you are doing trusted, routine work and the confirmation prompts slow you down.

Prerequisites

Before starting:

  1. Have used a chatbot (Claude.ai or ChatGPT) at least a few times
  2. Have a paid Anthropic account -- Claude Code requires Pro, Max, Team, or Enterprise. The free Claude.ai plan does not include Claude Code access.
  3. Be comfortable with the idea of using a terminal -- you do not need experience, but you do need willingness. (Or use the Desktop app instead.)

If you have not used chatbots much yet, start with AI Essentials first.

What You'll End Up With

After working through this section:

  • Claude Code installed and authenticated on your computer
  • VS Code configured with the Claude Code extension (optional)
  • A CLAUDE.md file that tells Claude about your role, courses, research, and preferences
  • MCP integrations connecting Claude to your email, calendar, and documents
  • A system that improves over time as you refine your configuration and build workflows

The whole setup takes a few hours spread over a couple of sessions. The time investment pays for itself within the first week of regular use.

Common Issues

If you get stuck during setup, check here before giving up:

Problem Fix
Install command fails Make sure you are using the correct command for your shell. Mac: curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh \| bash. Windows PowerShell: irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 \| iex. See the official setup guide.
"Free plan" error Claude Code requires a paid plan (Pro, Max, Team, or Enterprise). Upgrade at claude.ai.
Browser doesn't open for authentication Copy the URL from Terminal and paste it into your browser manually.
Google OAuth tokens expire every 7 days Your Google Cloud project is in "Testing" mode. Switch to "Production" in the Cloud Console -> Google Auth platform -> Audience. See MCP Setup for details.
MCP server not responding Check that all paths in ~/.claude.json are correct and absolute. Run claude doctor for diagnostics. Restart Claude Code.
Claude can't see my files Make sure you opened a folder (File -> Open Folder in VS Code, or cd to the folder before running claude), not just a single file.

For more help: GitHub Issues.