Quick answer: Claude Code is Anthropic's agentic coding tool that works inside your terminal. It reads your codebase, executes commands, edits files and runs tests from plain-language prompts, and integrates with your editor so you can delegate routine coding work to the agent.
Claude Code is Anthropic’s terminal-based AI coding agent that can read your project, plan changes, write code, run tests and fix bugs right from the command line. In this easy tutorial you’ll install it, log in, and finish your first real coding session in about 10 minutes — no prior experience with AI tools required.
What is Claude Code?
Claude Code is an agentic coding tool that lives in your terminal. Instead of copying code between an editor and a chat window, you describe what you want in plain English and Claude works directly in your repository — reading files, editing code, running commands, and showing you a diff you can approve or reject.
Why developers love Claude Code
- Native to the terminal — works on macOS, Windows and Linux next to your Git workflow, no IDE lock-in.
- Really reads your codebase — it searches, greps and maps your project before touching anything, so its edits fit your actual code.
- Safe by default — commands that change files or your system ask for permission before running.
- Plan-first thinking — flip into Plan mode and it proposes an approach before writing a single line.
- Skills, subagents and MCP — you can teach it your team’s rules and connect it to your databases, browsers and APIs.
- Real conversation memory — CLAUDE.md files remember your project conventions across sessions.
If you are learning to code, Claude Code doubles as a patient tutor: ask it to explain a function the way you’d explain it to a beginner, and it will walk you through the logic line by line.
Step 1: Install Claude Code
You need Node.js 18 or newer installed first. If you don’t have it yet, grab the LTS version from nodejs.org. Then open your terminal and run:
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-codeWhen the install finishes, confirm everything is working:
claude --versionStep 2: Log in
Type claude in your project folder and press Enter. On first launch Claude Code asks you to authenticate. You have three options:
- Claude Pro or Max subscription — the simplest route: log in with your existing Anthropic account.
- Anthropic API key — paste a key from the Anthropic Console if you prefer pay-as-you-go billing.
- Amazon Bedrock or Google Vertex AI — for teams already running Claude on cloud providers.
A browser window opens (or a code appears to paste) to complete the sign-in. Done — you’re at the Claude Code prompt, ready to go.
Step 3: Run your first session
Start small so you learn the loop quickly. In any project folder (even an empty one) type:
claudeThen try these three prompts in order:
What does this project do? Give me a quick summary.— Claude maps the codebase and explains it.Create a README.md that explains how to run this project.— Claude writes the file and shows you the diff.Add a /health endpoint that returns JSON {"status":"ok"}.— a small, verifiable feature you can test right after.
Notice the flow: Claude plans a little, proposes edits, asks for approval when running commands, then verifies. You review everything before it lands.
Handy slash commands to remember
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
/init | Scans your project and creates a CLAUDE.md memory file |
/model | Switch between models (Opus class for hard tasks, Sonnet for everyday) |
/compact | Squeezes a long conversation to save context |
/mcp | See and connect MCP servers (databases, browsers, APIs) |
/permissions | Fine-tune what Claude may run without asking |
/cost | See how much the session is using |
/doctor | Diagnose installation or setup problems |
Pro tip: teach Claude your project’s rules
The single highest-leverage habit with Claude Code is a CLAUDE.md file in your project root. Drop in notes like “we use TypeScript strict mode”, “tests run with npm test”, or “never touch the generated dist/ folder”. Claude reads it at the start of every session, so your conventions are respected automatically. Run /init to generate a starting version, then edit it by hand.
Want to take it further? Check out skills (markdown playbooks for repeated tasks) and subagents (specialist assistants for code review, testing or docs) — both are just folders of markdown files.
Claude Code vs other AI coding tools
| Tool | Form factor | Best for | Typical cost model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claude Code | Terminal agent | Deep codebase work, long agentic tasks | Claude Pro/Max or API usage |
| Google Antigravity | Agentic IDE + app + CLI | Visual work, parallel agents, reviewable artifacts | Free tier, paid plans for more runs |
| OpenCode | Open-source terminal agent | Privacy-first, bring-your-own-model | Free app; you pay for tokens/API |
| Freebuff | CLI + desktop + cloud | Students, zero-budget projects | $0 (ad-funded), daily free quota |
Not sure which to pick? The Complete Guide to AI Coding Assistants compares all of them and walks you through choosing, and our Web Development Roadmap 2026 shows how AI tools fit into learning to code today.
Claude Code — quick FAQ
Is Claude Code free to use?
Claude Code itself is a free install. You pay for the underlying AI usage via a Claude Pro or Max subscription, or pay-as-you-go with an Anthropic API key.
Do I need to know programming to use Claude Code?
No. Beginners use it to learn: ask it to explain code, generate starter projects, or fix errors. A basic understanding of your project folder helps you review its changes confidently.
Where does Claude Code run?
It runs locally in your terminal on macOS, Windows and Linux. Your files stay on your machine; Claude sends only the context it needs to Anthropic’s models for processing.
Is Claude Code safe to use on a real project?
Yes, with review. By default Claude asks your permission before running commands or editing files. For important work, use Plan mode, review every diff, and commit your work with Git first so you can always roll back.
Ready for the next one? Continue your AI toolkit with Google Antigravity, the open-source OpenCode, or the 100% free Freebuff. Just starting out? Install your VS Code first.