Resource: Download Claude Code

Set up Claude Code

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.

About 10 minutes, and you only do this once.

💬 Stuck on any step? Drop a question in the free Owner's AI Room community. Jeanette and others answer there daily, you're not doing this alone.

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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.

Mac users, don't go to the Git website

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.

Not sure if you already have it?

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.

Why do we need Git and Node?

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.

Why the desktop app?

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.

Don't overthink this

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.

Already have a folder there?

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.

Windows, seeing a red box about Git?

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:

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.

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.

Windows, app won't actually restart?

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:

$env:Path = [System.Environment]::GetEnvironmentVariable('Path','Machine') + ';' + [System.Environment]::GetEnvironmentVariable('Path','User')

Still stuck?

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.

You're building the tools. Now see where AI actually fits your business.

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