How to Install and Use Claude Code on Ubuntu Linux: The Complete Guide

In today's rapidly evolving tech landscape, AI-powered development tools are becoming essential for businesses seeking to optimize their workflows and boost productivity. Among these cutting-edge solutions is Claude Code – an impressive AI coding assistant developed by Anthropic that lives in your terminal, understands your codebase, and accelerates your development process through natural language interactions.

At ITECS, we're committed to keeping you updated on the most innovative technologies to enhance your business operations. This guide will walk you through installing and configuring Claude Code on Ubuntu Linux, unlocking powerful AI capabilities for your development team.

What is Claude Code?

Claude Code is an agentic coding tool that integrates directly into your terminal environment. Unlike many AI assistants that merely suggest code, Claude Code can take real actions in your development environment:

• Edit files and fix bugs across your entire codebase
• Answer detailed questions about code architecture and logic
• Execute and fix tests, linting, and other commands
• Manage git workflows including resolving merge conflicts and creating PRs
• Assist with complex refactoring and implementation tasks

Currently available as a beta research preview, Claude Code is built on Anthropic's powerful Claude 3.7 Sonnet model, offering sophisticated reasoning capabilities for coding tasks.

Prerequisites for Ubuntu Installation

Before we dive into the installation process, ensure your system meets these requirements:

• Ubuntu 20.04+ or Debian 10+
• Node.js 18 or higher
• At least 4GB of RAM
• Active internet connection
• An Anthropic API key (requires an account with active billing)

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

1. Update Your System

Always start with a system update to ensure you have the latest packages:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

2. Install Node.js and npm

Claude Code requires Node.js 18 or higher. If you don't have it installed or have an older version, follow these steps:

# Remove any old Node.js installations (optional)
sudo apt remove nodejs npm

# Install Node.js 20.x (LTS as of 2025)
curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_20.x | sudo -E bash -
sudo apt install -y nodejs

# Verify installation
node --version  # Should show v20.x.x
npm --version   # Should show 10.x.x or higher

3. Configure npm for Global Packages (Recommended)

To avoid permission issues, set up npm to install global packages in your user directory:

mkdir -p ~/.npm-global
npm config set prefix ~/.npm-global

Then add this directory to your PATH by adding these lines to your ~/.bashrc file:

echo 'export PATH=~/.npm-global/bin:$PATH' >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc

4. Install Additional Dependencies (Optional but Recommended)

For improved functionality, install Git and Ripgrep:

sudo apt install -y git ripgrep

5. Install Claude Code

Now that your environment is prepared, install Claude Code using npm:

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

Important: Do NOT use sudo when installing Claude Code. This can lead to permission issues and security risks. If you encounter permission errors, revisit step 3 to configure npm properly.

6. Authenticate with Anthropic API

Start Claude Code and authenticate:

# Navigate to your project directory first
cd your-project-directory

# Start Claude Code
claude

On first launch, you'll be guided through a one-time OAuth process to connect to your Anthropic account. Follow the on-screen instructions to authorize Claude Code and select your preferred terminal style.

Terminal text style selection during Claude Code installation on Ubuntu Linux

Using Claude Code in Your Projects

Now that Claude Code is installed, here are some practical ways to leverage it in your development workflow:

Understanding New Codebases

When joining a project or exploring unfamiliar code, ask Claude to summarize key components:

claude > summarize this project's architecture

Or generate a project guide:

claude > /init

This creates a comprehensive CLAUDE.md file that explains the project structure.

Code Editing and Debugging

Fix errors across multiple files with simple commands:

claude > fix the type errors in the auth module

Or implement new features:

claude > create a rate limiting middleware for our express app

Git Workflow Management

Streamline your git operations:

claude > commit my changes with a descriptive message

Or handle complex git tasks:

claude > rebase on main and resolve any merge conflicts

Key Commands to Remember

Troubleshooting Common Installation Issues

"Command Not Found" After Installation

If you encounter a "command not found" error after installation, check your PATH configuration:

echo 'export PATH=~/.npm-global/bin:$PATH' >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc

Node.js Version Compatibility

If you experience issues related to Node.js versions, ensure you have a compatible version:

node --version  # Should be 18.x or higher

Authentication Failures

If you encounter authentication problems:

1. Try logging out and back in:

   claude > /logout
   claude > /login

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2. Check your Anthropic account status and ensure billing is active

Best Practices for Security

When using Claude Code in your business environment, follow these security best practices:

1. Never use sudo when installing or running Claude Code
2. Store API keys securely using environment variables
3. Review commands before approving them, especially with untrusted code
4. Configure Claude Code to ignore sensitive directories (like .env files)
5. Regularly update to the latest version with claude update

Enterprise Deployment Considerations

For enterprises considering broader deployment of Claude Code:

• Start with a small pilot group to establish usage patterns
• Set up workspace spending limits in Anthropic Console
• Consider development container setups for consistent environments
• Implement network access controls for sensitive environments

Conclusion

Claude Code represents a significant advancement in AI-assisted development, offering businesses a powerful tool to enhance developer productivity and streamline coding workflows. By following this guide, your team can quickly integrate this cutting-edge technology into your Ubuntu Linux development environment.

At ITECS, we're committed to helping Dallas-area businesses leverage the latest technological innovations to drive growth and efficiency. Whether you're looking to implement AI-powered tools like Claude Code or need comprehensive managed IT services, our team of experts is ready to assist.

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