Claude Code Native Installer

Problem: the old npm install path needed Node.js 18+, caused PATH issues, and broke on some platforms. The native installer solves all of that with one command that works everywhere.

Quick Start: One Command Install

Windows PowerShell:

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

macOS / Linux / WSL:

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

Homebrew (macOS/Linux):

brew install --cask claude-code

That is it. No Node.js. No npm. No PATH setup. Run claude --version to confirm.

Why the Native Installer Is Better

Anthropic now ships the native installer as the recommended install method for every Claude Code user. Here is the comparison:

The native installer handles the whole thing for you: it downloads the right binary for your system, sets PATH, and keeps Claude Code updated in the background.

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

The PowerShell command irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex does three things:

1. irm (Invoke-RestMethod) downloads the install script from Anthropic
2. | pipes the script content to the next command
3. iex (Invoke-Expression) runs the downloaded script

Run as Administrator for the cleanest install:

# Open PowerShell as Administrator, then:
irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex
 
# Verify installation
claude --version

Alternative for CMD users:

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

WinGet option:

winget install Anthropic.ClaudeCode

Note: WinGet does not auto-update. The native installer is the better pick.

macOS and Linux: curl https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash

The bash installer behaves the same way on macOS, Linux, and WSL:

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

The -fsSL flags mean:

• f: Fail silently on HTTP errors
• s: Silent mode (no progress bar)
• S: Show errors if they occur
• L: Follow redirects

Verify and start:

claude --version
cd your-project
claude

Troubleshooting

"irm is not recognized" (Windows)

You are in CMD, not PowerShell. Open PowerShell and run the command there.

"Execution policy" error (Windows)

PowerShell may block scripts by default:

Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser
irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex

"command not found" after install

Close and reopen your terminal to reload PATH, then try claude --version again.

Already have the npm version installed?

Uninstall the npm version first:

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

Then run the native installer.

What Happens After Install

Once Claude Code is in place:

1. Run claude in any project directory
2. Complete the one-time auth with your Anthropic account
3. Start coding with AI

New to Claude Code? Follow the first project tutorial to see it in action. Want more install options? See the full installation guide.

The native installer was announced in October 2025 as Anthropic's recommended method. Simpler, more stable, and it keeps you updated automatically. No Node.js required.