Blog · October 24, 2026 · Agentdex Editorial

Claude Code Download (2026): How to Install on macOS, Windows, Linux and Desktop

Q: How do I install Claude Code on Windows?

Run irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex in PowerShell, or winget install Anthropic.ClaudeCode if you use WinGet. Git for Windows is recommended but optional.

Q: Is the npm version of Claude Code deprecated?

No. The npm package @anthropic-ai/claude-code is still supported and needs Node.js 22 or later. Anthropic recommends the native installer because it updates automatically.

Claude Code (Agentdex profile) is Anthropic's AI coding agent. It reads your codebase, edits files, runs commands and can open pull requests, working from your terminal, your IDE or the Claude desktop app. The download itself is free, but using Claude Code needs a paid Claude plan or a Claude Console (API) account. This guide shows every official way to install it as of October 24, 2026, how to check it works, and which option to pick.

Key Takeaways

The recommended install is Anthropic's native installer: one command on macOS, Linux, WSL or Windows. Native installs update themselves automatically.
Homebrew, WinGet and Linux package managers (apt, dnf, apk) are also supported, but they do not auto-update. npm is still supported and needs Node.js 22 or later.
Claude Code also runs inside the Claude desktop app (the Code tab) on macOS, Windows and Linux (beta).
You need a Claude Pro, Max, Team or Enterprise plan, or a Claude Console account. The free Claude plan does not include Claude Code. Claude Pro is $20/month, or $17/month billed annually.
After installing, run claude --version and claude doctor to confirm everything is set up.

A laptop showing a terminal window next to a code editor

Claude Code download options at a glance

Method	Platforms	Auto-updates	Best for
Native installer (recommended)	macOS, Linux, WSL, Windows	Yes	Most people
Homebrew	macOS, Linux	No (run brew upgrade)	Developers who manage tools with Homebrew
WinGet	Windows	No (run winget upgrade)	Windows users who prefer a package manager
apt, dnf or apk	Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora/RHEL, Alpine	No (system updates)	Linux servers and managed machines
npm	Any platform with Node.js 22+	No	Teams that already standardize on npm
Claude desktop app	macOS, Windows, Linux (beta)	App updates	People who prefer a graphical interface

System requirements

Operating system: macOS 13 or later, Windows 10 version 1809 or later (or Windows Server 2019+), Ubuntu 20.04+, Debian 10+ or Alpine Linux 3.19+.
Memory: 4 GB of RAM or more.
Processor: x64 or ARM64.
Network: an internet connection, because Claude Code sends requests to Anthropic's models.
Account: a Claude Pro, Max, Team or Enterprise subscription, or a Claude Console account with API credits.

How to install Claude Code on macOS, Linux or WSL

Open a terminal and run the native installer:

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

Or, if you use Homebrew:

brew install --cask claude-code

The Homebrew cask follows the stable release channel. A claude-code@latest cask is also available if you want new releases sooner. Homebrew installs do not update automatically, so run brew upgrade from time to time.

How to install Claude Code on Windows

In PowerShell, run:

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

In Command Prompt (CMD), run:

curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.cmd -o install.cmd && install.cmd && del install.cmd

Or use WinGet:

winget install Anthropic.ClaudeCode

Installing Git for Windows is recommended, because Claude Code can then use Git Bash for shell commands. It is optional: without it, Claude Code uses PowerShell. If you prefer a Linux environment, you can also install Claude Code inside WSL using the macOS/Linux command above.

Installing with npm

If your team standardizes on npm, you can still install the npm package. It needs Node.js 22 or later:

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

Do not use sudo with this command. If you get permission errors, fix your npm global directory permissions or use the native installer instead.

Check that it works

Run these two commands after installing:

claude --version
claude doctor

claude --version confirms the install. claude doctor checks your installation type, version and configuration, and points out common problems such as a conflicting older install.

Then go to a project folder and start Claude Code:

cd your-project
claude

The first time, Claude Code asks you to sign in with your Claude account or a Console account.

A small team of developers working together on laptops

Claude Code in the desktop app

If you prefer not to work in a terminal, download the Claude desktop app and open the Code tab. Claude Code runs there with a graphical interface: you can run several sessions in parallel, review diffs, preview your running app, and monitor pull request status.

The desktop app is available for macOS (Intel and Apple Silicon), Windows (x64, with an ARM64 installer) and Linux in beta (Ubuntu and Debian via apt or .deb). The app itself works on the free plan for chat, but Claude Code inside it needs a Pro, Max, Team or Enterprise plan. If you already use the CLI, typing /desktop moves a terminal conversation into the app.

Claude Code in your IDE

You do not have to give up your editor. Claude Code works alongside VS Code, JetBrains IDEs and others, either through Anthropic's IDE integrations or simply by running it in your editor's built-in terminal. The desktop app can also open files in installed editors such as VS Code, Cursor (Agentdex profile) and Zed (Agentdex profile).

What Claude Code costs

The download is free, but usage is not. As of October 24, 2026:

Claude Pro: $20/month, or $17/month billed annually. Includes Claude Code.
Claude Max: from $100/month, with 5x or 20x the usage of Pro.
Team and Enterprise: include Claude Code for organizations.
Claude Console (API): pay as you go at API rates.

Claude Code also works with Anthropic models through Amazon Bedrock, Google Cloud's Agent Platform and Microsoft Foundry for companies that buy AI through their cloud provider. Our Claude Code pricing guide explains plans and limits in detail, and the Claude Code profile summarizes the tool.

Privacy and security basics

Claude Code runs on your machine, but the code and context it reads are sent to Anthropic's models to generate responses, so your code does leave your computer. By default it asks before editing files or running commands, and you can choose more or less autonomy with permission modes. Use the more permissive modes only in environments you are comfortable letting an agent change, such as a container or a disposable branch.

Which install should you choose?

Most people: the native installer, because it keeps itself up to date.
Homebrew or WinGet users: use your package manager, and remember to upgrade regularly.
Linux servers: the native installer or your distribution's package repository.
Prefer a GUI: the Claude desktop app's Code tab.

Once it is running, compare it with other agents in Cursor vs Claude Code, Codex vs Claude Code and Claude Code alternatives.

FAQ

Is Claude Code free to download?

Yes, downloading and installing Claude Code is free. Using it requires a Claude Pro, Max, Team or Enterprise plan, or a Claude Console account with API credits. The free Claude plan does not include Claude Code.

How do I install Claude Code on Windows?

Run irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex in PowerShell, or winget install Anthropic.ClaudeCode if you use WinGet. Git for Windows is recommended but optional.

Is the npm version of Claude Code deprecated?

No. The npm package @anthropic-ai/claude-code is still supported and needs Node.js 22 or later. Anthropic recommends the native installer because it updates automatically.

Can I use Claude Code on a headless Linux server?

Yes. Install it with the native installer or a package repository over SSH and run claude in the terminal. The desktop app can also run sessions on a remote machine over SSH.

How do I update Claude Code?

Native installs update automatically. Homebrew, WinGet and Linux package installs need to be upgraded through the package manager.

Written by Agentdex Editorial. Agentdex is an independent directory reviewing AI coding tools; we are not affiliated with the companies mentioned. Prices and features are as of October 24, 2026, from official sources linked above. Always confirm on the vendor's site.