How this guide works
Every Stein Solutions workshop builds on three things working on your computer: Git, Node.js, and Claude Code. If you already have all three running, paste the verification prompt below and you'll see confetti. If anything is missing, work through the install steps underneath until you do.
Paste this into Claude Code first
Copy this prompt
Check if Git and Node.js are installed on this computer. Run "git --version" and "node --version" and tell me clearly what's installed and what's missing. If anything is missing, give me the download link and walk me through installing it step by step. If both are installed, show me the version numbers and then create a fun celebration HTML file in my project folder called "setup-complete.html". Make it colorful with animated confetti, a big headline that says "You did it!", today's date, and the Git and Node version numbers displayed like achievement badges. Then open it in my browser so I can see it.
Did you get confetti? Yes: You're done. You can close this page and head back to your workshop. No: The prompt told you what's missing. Work through the install steps below until you can re-run the prompt and see confetti.
If you need to install anything
Run the prompt above first. If you saw confetti, you can skip all of this. If anything was missing, work through the steps below, then re-run the prompt.
Watch the walkthrough, or follow the written steps below.
Claude Code is your AI collaborator. It sees your files, takes action, and does the actual work, not just answers questions. It creates files, edits documents, searches the web, and runs tasks for you. Let's get it installed, point it at a folder, and make sure everything works.
Step 1: Install Git
Already have Git installed? Skip to Step 2.
Git is one of two small tools Claude Code needs running behind the scenes. You only install it once, and you'll never need to learn how to use it, Claude handles everything.
Windows Go to git-scm.com/downloads/win and download Git for Windows. Run the installer, accept all the defaults, click Next through everything, then Finish. A new window may open after, safe to close it.
Mac Open Terminal (Cmd + Space, type "Terminal", hit Enter). Paste this and hit Enter: xcode-select --install, then click Install on the popup and wait a few minutes. Close Terminal when it's done.
The Git download page for Mac shows confusing options you don't need. The Terminal command above installs Git directly from Apple, one command, no choices. If the popup says tools are "already installed," you're good to go.
Just install it. If it's already on your computer, the installer updates it and nothing breaks.
Step 2: Install Node.js
Already have Node.js installed? Skip to Step 3.
Node.js is the second little helper Claude Code needs in the background, same deal as Git. Install it once, never think about it again. Go to nodejs.org and click the big green LTS button to download it. Run the installer, accept all the defaults, click Next through everything, then Finish.
They're tools Claude Code uses behind the scenes. You won't need to learn them, Claude handles everything, but the app needs them installed to work properly.
Step 3: Download Claude Code (the desktop app)
Go to claude.ai in your browser and make sure you're logged in, this saves you a headache during the download. Then go to claude.com/download and download the desktop app for your computer (Mac or Windows).
Claude Code requires a paid plan. I recommend starting with the Pro plan at $20/month, plenty of room to work, and most people get a lot done at that level. You can always upgrade later. Check your plan at claude.ai/settings/billing.
Claude has two versions: a browser version (chat back and forth) and a desktop app that lives on your computer. We want the desktop app because it can actually see your files and do real work, not just have a conversation.
Step 4: Create a folder on your Desktop called "Claude"
Already using Claude Code with a project folder? Skip to Step 5.
Create a new folder called Claude and place it on your Desktop. This is where Claude Code keeps all your files, and putting it on the Desktop makes it easy to find.
You can organize and rename it later. For now, we just need it there.
Step 5: Open the app, switch to Code, and select your folder
Open the Claude desktop app. If you just downloaded it, it probably opened automatically, look for the icon on your bottom toolbar (Windows) or your Dock (Mac). If you don't see it, search your apps for "Claude."
Switch to Code mode. At the very top center you'll see tabs: Chat, Cowork, and Code. It usually starts on Chat, click Code.
Select your project folder. A new Code session opens with a prompt box in the middle, and right underneath it at the bottom is a button that says Select Folder. Click it, navigate to your Desktop, and select the Claude folder you just created.
Trust the workspace. The first time, Claude Code asks if you trust this workspace, that just means you trust the folder you created. Click Trust Workspace.
Leave it alone, that means you've already set one up and likely have information in it. We'll pull that in so you don't start over.
If you see "Git is required," it means Git didn't install correctly in Step 1. Close Claude Code, re-run the Claude Code installer (the file you downloaded in Step 3), let it finish, then open Claude Code again. That usually fixes it.
Step 6: Run the setup check
This is the fun part. Copy and paste this prompt into Claude Code and hit Enter. It verifies everything is working and gives you a little celebration:
If both are installed: you'll see your version numbers and then a confetti celebration page pops open in your browser. That's Claude Code showing off, it just built a real webpage on your computer and opened it for you. Screenshot it and share it!
If something is missing: no stress. Claude gives you a download link and walks you through every click.
Step 7: Something not working? No stress.
The most common fixes:
Claude asks permission to run a command or create a file: that's normal, click "Allow" or "Yes." Claude Code always asks before making changes, which is a good thing.
You see an error about your plan: double-check you're signed into the paid account (not a free one) at claude.ai/settings/billing.
Claude can't find your folder: make sure you selected the right folder when you set up the project. You can change it in the app settings.
Red "Git is required" box (Windows): close Claude Code, re-run the Claude Code installer from Step 3, then reopen the app.
Git or Node.js won't install: follow the link in Step 1 or Step 2. If the installer asks questions you don't understand, just accept the defaults.
Clicking the X doesn't always fully restart Claude. Right-click the taskbar → Task Manager, find Claude, click End Task, then reopen Claude. If that still doesn't fix it, paste this into the Claude Code prompt box, it refreshes what the app can see without restarting:
Come into the free Owner's AI Room community and post your question. Jeanette and other attendees answer there daily, you're not on your own.
Step 8: Post your screenshot to the community
Got your confetti page? Screenshot it and post it on this thread in The Owner's AI Room community. We love seeing these, and if you ran into trouble, post your question there too and we'll help you out.
You just did something most people haven't.
Most people are still chatting with AI in a browser window. You just set up an AI that can work inside your files, check what's installed on your computer, and build a webpage from scratch. That's a big deal, and everything we build from here gets easier.
Make it remember your business
The Workshop · $27
Now that Claude Code is installed, make it actually remember your business.
Most people install Claude Code and then ask, "okay, now what?" In Set Up Claude Code the Right Way, you build the same foundation Jeanette uses every day. By the end of the 90 minutes, every future session of Claude Code picks up where the last one left off, instead of starting from scratch.
- ✓ A personalized CLAUDE.md that loads at the start of every session
- ✓ Context files built around your business, guided so you never face a blank page
- ✓ A /close routine that makes every session smarter than the last
90-minute video replay · Interactive guide with copy-paste prompts · Lifetime access
What's next
- Claude Code Basics, a plain-language guide to every term, popup, and permission you'll see
- Add Extensions to Claude Code, give Claude the ability to browse the web and interact with sites
- Join the Stein Solutions Mastermind waiting list, go deeper with hands-on AI implementation in a small group
- Join The Owner's AI Room, free community where you can ask questions
You're building the tools. Now see where AI actually fits your business.
The free 5-minute AI Efficiency Audit scores your operations and hands you your first three moves, emailed the moment you finish. No call required.
Take the Free Audit →