How To Install Claude Code on Windows: Complete Guide 2025

How to Install Claude Code on Windows: Complete 2025 Guide

Master AI-powered development with Anthropic's revolutionary coding assistant through WSL integration.

Revolutionize Your Windows Development with Claude Code

In the rapidly evolving landscape of AI-powered development tools, Claude Code stands out as a game-changing coding assistant that lives directly in your terminal. Developed by Anthropic, this innovative tool understands your entire codebase and accelerates development through natural language interactions. While Claude Code doesn't natively support Windows, this comprehensive guide will show you exactly how to harness its power using Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).

Ready to supercharge your development workflow with AI? Explore ITECS AI Consulting Services to discover how AI can transform your entire business operation.

What is Claude Code? Understanding the AI Revolution

Claude Code represents a paradigm shift in how developers interact with their development environment. Unlike traditional coding assistants that merely suggest snippets, Claude Code is an agentic tool that can:

Key Features

• Edit & Refactor Code: Modify, optimize, and enhance your entire codebase with AI-powered suggestions that understand context and best practices.
• Debug & Fix Errors: Identify and resolve bugs, missing dependencies, and performance bottlenecks across multiple files simultaneously.
• Understand Architecture: Ask questions about your code's architecture, logic, and dependencies with comprehensive explanations.
• Write Tests: Automatically generate comprehensive test suites that ensure code quality and catch edge cases.

Claude Code vs Traditional Development

System Requirements: Preparing Your Windows Environment

Before diving into the installation process, ensure your system meets these requirements:

Windows Requirements

• Windows 10: Version 2004 or higher (Build 19041+)
• Windows 11: Any version
• Administrator privileges for WSL installation
• At least 4GB available storage
• Internet connection for package downloads

Software Requirements

• Node.js: Version 18 or higher
• npm: Version 10.x or higher
• Git: For version control (recommended)
• Python 3: For certain operations
• WSL 2: Latest version

Account Requirements

• Anthropic Account: Free to create
• API Access: Billing setup required
• Minimum Credits: $5 recommended
• Valid Payment Method: Credit card

Pre-Installation Setup: Anthropic Account & Billing

Before installing Claude Code, you'll need to set up your Anthropic account and billing. This ensures you can authenticate and use the tool immediately after installation.

Step 1: Create Your Anthropic Account

1. Navigate to console.anthropic.com
2. Click "Sign Up" and create your account
3. Verify your email address
4. Complete your profile information

Step 2: Set Up Billing

1. Go to the Billing page in your console
2. Add a valid credit card
3. Purchase at least $5 in credits (sufficient for extensive testing)
4. Note: Usage is pay-as-you-go with transparent pricing

Claude Code Pricing Overview

Step-by-Step Installation Process

Follow these detailed steps to install Claude Code on your Windows system. We'll guide you through each phase with clear instructions and troubleshooting tips.

Step 1: Install Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

1.1 Open PowerShell as Administrator

Open a PowerShell prompt as an Administrator (we recommend using Windows Terminal):

1. Press Windows + X
2. Select "Windows Terminal (Admin)" or "PowerShell (Admin)"
3. Click "Yes" when prompted for administrator access

1.2 Install WSL

Run the following command to install WSL:

wsl --install

1.3 Handle Execution Policy (if needed)

If you see a red error about execution policy being restricted, run:

Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser Unrestricted

Then try the wsl --install command again.

Step 2: Install Ubuntu on WSL

There are two methods to install Ubuntu on WSL. Choose the one that works best for you:

Method 1: Using Microsoft Store (Recommended)

1. Open the Microsoft Store
2. Search for "Ubuntu 24.04 LTS"
3. Click "Get" to install
4. Once installed, click "Open" or search for Ubuntu in your Windows search bar

Method 2: Using WSL Commands

First, check available distributions by running:

wsl --list --online

Install Ubuntu 24.04 LTS by running:

wsl --install -d Ubuntu-24.04

Verify Your Installation

Check all installed distributions and their WSL version:

wsl -l -v

Step 3: Run and Configure Ubuntu

3.1 Launch Ubuntu

To open an Ubuntu 24.04 terminal, run the following command in PowerShell:

ubuntu2404.exe

Or simply search for "Ubuntu" in your Windows search bar and click on it.

3.2 Create Your Linux User Account

Once Ubuntu finishes its initial setup, you will be prompted to:

1. Create a username (lowercase, no spaces)
2. Create a password (it won't show while typing - this is normal)
3. Confirm your password

3.3 Update Ubuntu

It's always good practice to install the latest updates. Run these commands in your Ubuntu terminal:

sudo apt update

sudo apt full-upgrade -y

Step 4: Install Node.js in Ubuntu

4.1 Switch to Linux Home Directory

In your Ubuntu terminal, ensure you're in the Linux filesystem:

cd ~

4.2 Install Node.js via NVM (Recommended)

Install Node Version Manager for better Node.js management:

curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.39.3/install.sh | bash

Activate NVM without restarting:

. "$HOME/.nvm/nvm.sh"

Install Node.js version 20 (LTS):

nvm install 20

4.3 Verify Installation

Check that Node.js and npm are properly installed:

node --version && npm --version

You should see versions like v20.x.x and 10.x.x

Step 5: Install Additional Dependencies

5.1 Install Python (if needed)

Claude Code may require Python for certain operations:

sudo apt install python3 python3-pip -y

5.2 Install Git and Ripgrep (Recommended)

These tools enhance Claude Code's functionality:

sudo apt install git ripgrep -y

5.3 Configure npm Global Directory (Important)

Avoid permission issues by setting up npm properly:

mkdir -p ~/.npm-global
npm config set prefix ~/.npm-global
echo 'export PATH=~/.npm-global/bin:$PATH' >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc

Step 6: Install Claude Code

6.1 Install Claude Code Globally

Now install Claude Code using npm:

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

6.2 Verify Installation

Check that Claude Code is installed:

which claude

This should return a path like /home/username/.npm-global/bin/claude

Running Claude Code for the First Time

With Claude Code installed, let's configure it and run your first session. This section covers authentication, initial setup, and best practices for using Claude Code effectively.

Navigate to Your Project

Claude Code operates within the context of a specific directory. Navigate to your project folder:

# For Linux Projects
cd ~/my-project

# For Windows Projects
cd /mnt/c/Users/YourName/Documents/project

Launch Claude Code

Start Claude Code in your project directory:

# Default model
claude

# Or specify a model
claude --model claude-opus-4-20250514

Authentication Process

1. Select Terminal Style: Choose your preferred terminal color scheme using arrow keys
2. OAuth Authentication: Press Enter to open the authentication page in your browser
3. Enter Authentication Code: Copy the code from your browser and paste it in the terminal
4. Trust Project Files: Select "Yes, proceed" to grant Claude Code access to your project files

Mastering Claude Code: Commands and Best Practices

Now that Claude Code is running, let's explore how to use it effectively. Understanding these commands and patterns will help you maximize productivity.

Essential Commands

Practical Examples

1. Creating a New Feature

2. Debugging Code

Best Practices for Effective Use

• Be Specific: Provide clear, detailed instructions about what you want to achieve
• Review Changes: Always review code changes before accepting them
• Monitor Costs: Use /cost regularly to track spending
• Start Small: Begin with simple tasks to understand Claude Code's capabilities

Advanced Features and Integration

Unlock the full potential of Claude Code with these advanced features and integration techniques that can transform your development workflow.

🔗 Git Integration

Claude Code seamlessly integrates with Git workflows:

• Commit changes with meaningful messages
• Create and switch branches
• Resolve merge conflicts intelligently
• Generate comprehensive commit histories

Example: "Create a new feature branch and implement user profile functionality with proper commits"

🧪 Automated Testing

Generate and run comprehensive test suites:

• Unit tests with high coverage
• Integration testing setup
• E2E test scenarios
• Performance benchmarks

Example: "Write unit tests for the authentication module with 90% coverage"

📚 Documentation Generation

Create professional documentation automatically:

• API documentation with examples
• README files with setup instructions
• Code comments and JSDoc
• Architecture diagrams in markdown

Example: "Generate complete API documentation for all endpoints"

Visual Studio Code Integration

Enhance your workflow by combining Claude Code with VS Code:

1. Open VS Code from WSL

code .

2. Run Claude Code in Terminal

Use VS Code's integrated terminal to run Claude Code while viewing changes in real-time

3. Review Changes Visually

See Claude's modifications highlighted in VS Code's diff viewer

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Encountering problems? Here are solutions to the most common issues Windows users face when installing and using Claude Code.

Error: "Claude Code is not supported on Windows"

Cause: You're trying to install Claude Code in Windows terminal instead of WSL.

Solution:

1. Ensure you're in WSL Ubuntu terminal, not PowerShell or CMD
2. Check your terminal prompt - it should show your Linux username
3. Run uname -a - it should show Linux, not Windows
4. If in Windows terminal, open Ubuntu from Start menu or run wsl

Error: "npm: command not found"

Cause: Node.js/npm not installed in WSL or PATH not configured.

Solution:

1. Verify you're in WSL: echo $SHELL
2. Reinstall Node.js using NVM as shown in Step 4
3. Run source ~/.bashrc to reload configuration
4. Check installation: which npm

Performance Issues in /mnt/c/ Directories

Cause: Cross-filesystem operations between WSL and Windows are slower.

Solution:

1. Move projects to Linux filesystem: cp -r /mnt/c/project ~/project
2. Use \\wsl$ in Windows Explorer to access Linux files
3. For better performance, develop primarily in Linux filesystem
4. Use Git to sync between Windows and Linux if needed

Business Impact: Why Claude Code Matters

Understanding the business implications of adopting Claude Code can help justify the investment in AI-powered development tools. Here's how it transforms your development operations:

Key Benefits

• Accelerated Development: 10x faster code generation and rapid prototyping
• Improved Code Quality: Consistent coding standards and built-in best practices
• Knowledge Amplification: Instant codebase understanding and continuous learning
• Cost Efficiency: Reduced development hours and lower maintenance costs

Real-World Impact: Development Team Case Study

Security Best Practices

When using AI-powered development tools, security should be a top priority. Here's how to use Claude Code safely and protect your intellectual property:

🔐 Access Control

• Use per-command authorization for sensitive projects
• Review all code changes before accepting
• Limit Claude Code access to specific directories
• Never grant access to production credentials

🛡️ Data Protection

• Avoid processing sensitive customer data
• Use environment variables for secrets
• Exclude sensitive files from project directory
• Regular security audits of generated code

📋 Compliance

• Review Anthropic's data handling policies
• Ensure compliance with your industry regulations
• Document AI-assisted code for audits
• Maintain code ownership clarity

Optimization Tips for Maximum Efficiency

Get the most out of Claude Code with these optimization strategies and productivity tips gathered from experienced users:

💻 WSL Performance Optimization

Use WSL 2 for Better Performance

Ensure you're running WSL 2 for improved file system performance:

wsl --set-default-version 2

Allocate Sufficient Resources

Create .wslconfig in your Windows user directory to optimize performance:

[wsl2]
memory=8GB
processors=4
swap=2GB

💰 Cost Management Strategies

• Start with Smaller Models: Use Claude Sonnet for routine tasks, Opus for complex challenges
• Batch Related Tasks: Group similar operations to leverage context efficiently
• Monitor Usage Patterns: Check /cost regularly and set budget alerts

🚀 Productivity Shortcuts

• Create Project Templates: Save time by having Claude Code generate reusable project structures
• Use Aliases for Common Tasks: Add to ~/.bashrc: alias claude-project='cd ~/projects && claude'
• Leverage Context Files: Create CLAUDE.md files to provide project context automatically

Embrace the Future of AI-Powered Development

You've now mastered the complete process of installing and using Claude Code on Windows through WSL. This powerful AI coding assistant represents just the beginning of what's possible when businesses embrace AI-driven development tools. By following this guide, you've taken the first step toward dramatically improving your development workflow, reducing costs, and accelerating innovation.

Key Takeaways

• ✅ Claude Code requires WSL for Windows users but delivers exceptional value
• ✅ Proper setup ensures smooth operation and optimal performance
• ✅ AI-powered development can reduce coding time by up to 75%
• ✅ Security and cost management are essential for enterprise adoption
• ✅ The ROI from improved productivity far exceeds the tool costs

Your Next Steps

1. Complete Installation: Follow our guide to set up Claude Code today
2. Start Small: Begin with simple tasks to build confidence
3. Measure Impact: Track time savings and quality improvements
4. Scale Adoption: Expand usage across your development team
5. Explore AI Strategy: Consider broader AI implementation opportunities

References and Additional Resources

Official Documentation

• Claude Code Official Documentation
• Anthropic Console
• Windows Subsystem for Linux Documentation
• Node.js Installation Guide

Related ITECS Resources

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