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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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Published 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

  • Your First Claude Code Project
    Build a working CLI task manager with Claude Code in five minutes. Watch the Write, Bash, and Read tools fire in real time, then debug it with a single prompt.
  • 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.
  • Installer Claude Code
    Installe Claude Code en deux minutes sur Windows, macOS ou Linux. Installateurs natifs, Homebrew et npm avec étapes de vérification, pas de Node.js requis pour le natif.
  • Qu'est-ce que le code Claude ?
    L'assistant de codage agentique d'Anthropic s'exécute dans ton terminal ou ton IDE, lit ton repo et l'historique git, et exécute les commandes avec approbation. Planifie le mode, les compétences, les crochets.

More from Handbook

  • Agent Fundamentals
    Five ways to build specialist agents in Claude Code: Task sub-agents, .claude/agents YAML, custom slash commands, CLAUDE.md personas, and perspective prompts.
  • Agent Harness Engineering
    The harness is every layer around your AI agent except the model itself. Learn the five control levers, the constraint paradox, and why harness design determines agent performance more than the model does.
  • Agent Patterns
    Orchestrator, fan-out, validation chain, specialist routing, progressive refinement, and watchdog. Six orchestration shapes to wire Claude Code sub-agents with.
  • Agent Teams Best Practices
    Battle-tested patterns for Claude Code Agent Teams. Context-rich spawn prompts, right-sized tasks, file ownership, delegate mode, and v2.1.33-v2.1.45 fixes.

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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

Stop configuring. Start building.

SaaS builder templates with AI orchestration.