Getting Started with Claude Code

Claude Code is the official command-line interface for Claude, bringing the power of AI-assisted development directly to your terminal. Whether you’re building web applications, debugging code, or exploring new technologies, Claude Code can help accelerate your development workflow.

Installation

Installing Claude Code is straightforward. You can use npm, brew, or download the binary directly:

# Using npm
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

# Using Homebrew (macOS)
brew install claude-code

# Using curl
curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | sh

First Steps

Once installed, authenticate with your Anthropic API key:

claude-code auth login

This will prompt you to enter your API key, which you can generate from your Anthropic Console.

Basic Usage

Claude Code operates in two main modes:

1. Interactive Mode

Start a conversation with Claude in your terminal:

claude-code chat

This opens an interactive session where you can ask questions, request code generation, or get help with debugging.

2. Task Mode

Execute specific tasks directly:

claude-code task "refactor this function to use async/await"
claude-code task "add error handling to index.js"
claude-code task "explain how the authentication flow works"

Key Features

File Context

Claude Code automatically understands your project context:

# Analyze specific files
claude-code chat --files src/app.js,src/utils.js

# Scan entire directories
claude-code chat --scan src/

Code Generation

Generate boilerplate, components, or entire features:

claude-code generate component UserProfile --props name,email,avatar
claude-code generate api-route /users --methods GET,POST

Debugging Assistant

Get help understanding errors and fixing bugs:

# Pass error output directly
npm test 2>&1 | claude-code debug

# Or start an interactive debugging session
claude-code debug --watch

Best Practices

1. Be Specific: The more context you provide, the better Claude can assist you
2. Iterate: Start with broad questions and refine based on responses
3. Review Changes: Always review generated code before committing
4. Use .claudeignore: Exclude sensitive files or large dependencies

Next Steps

Now that you’re set up, explore these resources:

• Advanced Configuration
• Workflow Integration
• Best Practices

Happy coding with Claude!