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Claude Code Native Installer

One command installs Claude Code on Windows, macOS, Linux, or WSL. Zero Node.js, zero npm, zero PATH setup. Auto-updates included. Compared to the npm path.

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speedy_devvWritten by speedy_devvPublished Mar 16, 2026Handbook hubStart here index

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:

FeatureNative Installernpm Install
Requires Node.jsNoYes (v18+)
Auto-updatesYes (background)No (manual)
PATH setupAutomaticOften broken
Platform supportWindows, macOS, Linux, WSLVaries
StabilityProduction-testedPlatform-dependent

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.

Continue in Start here

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  • Claude Code Installation
    Install Claude Code in two minutes on Windows, macOS, or Linux. Native installers, Homebrew, and npm paths with verify steps, no Node.js required on native.
  • What Is Claude Code?
    Anthropic's agentic coding assistant runs in your terminal or IDE, reads your repo and git history, and runs commands with approval. Plan mode, skills, hooks.
  • Ton premier projet Claude Code
    Construis un gestionnaire de tâches CLI fonctionnel avec Claude Code en cinq minutes. Regarde les outils Write, Bash et Read se déclencher en temps réel, puis débogue-le avec un seul prompt.
  • How to Build a SaaS with AI in 2026: The Complete Path
    The realistic 2026 path from idea to a live SaaS using AI: the six stages, where AI coding agents actually help, what still needs a human, and how to avoid the security and tech-debt traps that break vibe-coded apps in production.

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    Release-by-release notes for Claude Code from the v0.2 beta through March 2026. Bare mode, Channels permission relay, OAuth fixes, and every breaking change.
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    Ten prompt recipes that ship code: full-stack scaffolding, APIs, schemas, tests, refactors, debugging, reviews, and CI. Each with failure modes to avoid.

Want the framework behind these builds?

Get the Claude Code system we use to plan, build, test, and ship production software.

See what we build for companies →
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On this page

Quick Start: One Command Install
Why the Native Installer Is Better
Windows: irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex
macOS and Linux: curl https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash
Troubleshooting
"irm is not recognized" (Windows)
"Execution policy" error (Windows)
"command not found" after install
Already have the npm version installed?
What Happens After Install

Want the framework behind these builds?

Get the Claude Code system we use to plan, build, test, and ship production software.

See what we build for companies →