How To Install Claude Code on Windows: Complete Guide 2025

June 6, 2025

How to Install Claude Code on Windows: Complete 2025 Guide

Master AI-powered development with Anthropic's revolutionary coding assistant through WSL integration

By ITECS Team June 6, 2025 15 min read

Claude Code

$ 
✻ Welcome to Claude Code research preview!
Claude: Ready to transform your development workflow...

Revolutionize Your Windows Development with Claude Code

In the rapidly evolving landscape of AI-powered development tools, Claude Code stands out as a game-changing coding assistant that lives directly in your terminal. Developed by Anthropic, this innovative tool understands your entire codebase and accelerates development through natural language interactions. While Claude Code doesn't natively support Windows, this comprehensive guide will show you exactly how to harness its power using Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).

Ready to supercharge your development workflow with AI? Explore ITECS AI Consulting Services to discover how AI can transform your entire business operation.

X Productivity Boost

Developers report massive efficiency gains

% Code Accuracy

High-quality code generation rate

Hour Support

Always-on development assistance

What is Claude Code? Understanding the AI Revolution

Claude Code represents a paradigm shift in how developers interact with their development environment. Unlike traditional coding assistants that merely suggest snippets, Claude Code is an agentic tool that can:

Edit & Refactor Code

Modify, optimize, and enhance your entire codebase with AI-powered suggestions that understand context and best practices.

Debug & Fix Errors

Identify and resolve bugs, missing dependencies, and performance bottlenecks across multiple files simultaneously.

Understand Architecture

Ask questions about your code's architecture, logic, and dependencies with comprehensive explanations.

Write Tests

Automatically generate comprehensive test suites that ensure code quality and catch edge cases.

Claude Code vs Traditional Development

Aspect	Traditional Development	With Claude Code	Improvement
Code Generation Speed	Manual typing	Natural language commands	10x faster
Bug Detection	Manual debugging	AI-powered analysis	75% faster
Code Understanding	Read documentation	Instant explanations	90% faster
Refactoring	Line-by-line changes	Codebase-wide updates	85% faster

System Requirements: Preparing Your Windows Environment

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

Windows Requirements

Windows 10: Version 2004 or higher (Build 19041+)
Windows 11: Any version
Administrator privileges for WSL installation
At least 4GB available storage
Internet connection for package downloads

Software Requirements

Node.js: Version 18 or higher
npm: Version 10.x or higher
Git: For version control (recommended)
Python 3: For certain operations
WSL 2: Latest version

Account Requirements

Anthropic Account: Free to create
API Access: Billing setup required
Minimum Credits: $5 recommended
Valid Payment Method: Credit card

⚠️ Important Note: Claude Code does not run natively on Windows. WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) is required to create a Linux environment where Claude Code can operate. This guide will walk you through the entire process.

Pre-Installation Setup: Anthropic Account & Billing

Before installing Claude Code, you'll need to set up your Anthropic account and billing. This ensures you can authenticate and use the tool immediately after installation.

Create Your Anthropic Account

Navigate to console.anthropic.com
Click "Sign Up" and create your account
Verify your email address
Complete your profile information

Set Up Billing

Go to the Billing page in your console
Add a valid credit card
Purchase at least $5 in credits (sufficient for extensive testing)
Note: Usage is pay-as-you-go with transparent pricing

Claude Code Pricing Overview

Claude Opus 4

$15 / 1M tokens

Most powerful model for complex tasks

Claude Sonnet 4

$3 / 1M tokens

Balanced performance and cost

Typical Session

$0.10 - $2.00

Average cost per development session

Step-by-Step Installation Process

Follow these detailed steps to install Claude Code on your Windows system. We'll guide you through each phase with clear instructions and troubleshooting tips.

Step 1 Enable Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

1.1 Open PowerShell as Administrator

Press Windows + X
Select "Windows Terminal (Admin)" or "PowerShell (Admin)"
Click "Yes" when prompted for administrator access

PowerShell

wsl --install

Note: This command installs WSL with Ubuntu as the default distribution. The process may take 5-10 minutes depending on your internet speed.

1.2 Handle Execution Policy (if needed)

If you see a red error about execution policy being restricted:

PowerShell

Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser Unrestricted

1.3 Set Up Your Linux User Account

After WSL installation completes, set up your Linux user:

PowerShell

wsl.exe -d Ubuntu

Enter a username (lowercase, no spaces)
Create a password (won't show while typing)
Confirm your password

🔧 Troubleshooting WSL Installation

Error 0x80370102: Enable virtualization in BIOS
Error 0x80004005: Restart Windows and try again
WSL not recognized: Ensure Windows is updated

Step 2 Install Node.js in WSL

2.1 Switch to Linux Home Directory

First, ensure you're in the Linux filesystem:

Ubuntu Terminal

cd ~

2.2 Update System Packages

Update your package manager before installing Node.js:

Ubuntu Terminal

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

2.3 Install Node.js via NVM (Recommended)

Install Node Version Manager for better Node.js management:

Ubuntu Terminal

curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.39.3/install.sh | bash

Activate NVM without restarting:

Ubuntu Terminal

. "$HOME/.nvm/nvm.sh"

Install Node.js version 20 (LTS):

Ubuntu Terminal

nvm install 20

2.4 Verify Installation

Check that Node.js and npm are properly installed:

Ubuntu Terminal

node --version && npm --version

You should see versions like v20.x.x and 10.x.x

Step 3 Install Additional Dependencies

3.1 Install Python (if needed)

Claude Code may require Python for certain operations:

Ubuntu Terminal

sudo apt install python3 python3-pip -y

3.2 Install Git and Ripgrep (Recommended)

These tools enhance Claude Code's functionality:

Ubuntu Terminal

sudo apt install git ripgrep -y

3.3 Configure npm Global Directory (Important)

Avoid permission issues by setting up npm properly:

Ubuntu Terminal

mkdir -p ~/.npm-global
npm config set prefix ~/.npm-global
echo 'export PATH=~/.npm-global/bin:$PATH' >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc

Step 4 Install Claude Code

4.1 Install Claude Code Globally

Now install Claude Code using npm:

Ubuntu Terminal

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

⚠️ Important: Do NOT use sudo when installing Claude Code. If you get permission errors, ensure you've configured npm global directory as shown in Step 3.3.

4.2 Verify Installation

Check that Claude Code is installed:

Ubuntu Terminal

which claude

This should return a path like /home/username/.npm-global/bin/claude

🔧 Common Installation Issues

"npm: command not found": Restart terminal or run source ~/.bashrc
Permission denied: Check npm global configuration
"Claude Code not supported on Windows": Ensure you're in WSL, not Windows terminal
ENOENT errors: You may be in Windows filesystem, switch to Linux with cd ~

Running Claude Code for the First Time

With Claude Code installed, let's configure it and run your first session. This section covers authentication, initial setup, and best practices for using Claude Code effectively.

Navigate to Your Project

Claude Code operates within the context of a specific directory. Navigate to your project folder:

For Linux Projects

cd ~/my-project

For Windows Projects

cd /mnt/c/Users/YourName/Documents/project

💡 Pro Tip: For best performance, work in the Linux filesystem (~/) rather than Windows mounted drives (/mnt/c/).

Launch Claude Code

Start Claude Code in your project directory:

Ubuntu Terminal

claude

Or specify a model:

Ubuntu Terminal

claude --model claude-opus-4-20250514

Authentication Process

Select Terminal Style

Choose your preferred terminal color scheme using arrow keys:

Classic (traditional terminal colors)
Modern (enhanced readability)
Dark (high contrast)
Light (for bright environments)

OAuth Authentication

Claude Code will prompt you to authenticate:

Press Enter to open the authentication page
Your browser will open to the Anthropic Console
Log in with your Anthropic account
Copy the authentication code shown

Enter Authentication Code

Return to your terminal and:

Paste the authentication code
Press Enter to confirm
Claude Code will verify your credentials

Trust Project Files

Claude Code will ask if you trust the files in your directory:

Yes, proceed: Grants full access to project files
No, exit: Cancels the session

Select "Yes, proceed" for your own projects.

Mastering Claude Code: Commands and Best Practices

Now that Claude Code is running, let's explore how to use it effectively. Understanding these commands and patterns will help you maximize productivity.

Essential Commands

/help

Display all available commands and their descriptions

/cost

Check your current session cost in real-time

/bug

Report issues directly to Anthropic team

/exit

End your Claude Code session safely

/undo

Revert the last change made by Claude

/clear

Clear the terminal display

Practical Examples

1. Creating a New Feature

You:

Create a user authentication system with JWT tokens, including login, logout, and middleware for protected routes

Claude:

I'll create a complete user authentication system with JWT tokens. Let me set up the necessary files and implement the functionality...

2. Debugging Code

You:

Find and fix the memory leak in the data processing module

Claude:

I'll analyze the data processing module for memory leaks. Let me examine the code and identify potential issues...

3. Code Explanation

You:

Explain how the dependency injection system works in this project

Claude:

Let me analyze the dependency injection implementation in your project and explain how it works...

Best Practices for Effective Use

✅

Be Specific

Provide clear, detailed instructions about what you want to achieve. The more context you give, the better Claude Code can assist.

🔍

Review Changes

Always review code changes before accepting them. Use per-command authorization initially to maintain control.

💰

Monitor Costs

Use /cost regularly to track spending. Complex operations can accumulate costs quickly.

🎯

Start Small

Begin with simple tasks to understand Claude Code's capabilities before tackling complex projects.

Advanced Features and Integration

Unlock the full potential of Claude Code with these advanced features and integration techniques that can transform your development workflow.

🔗 Git Integration

Claude Code seamlessly integrates with Git workflows:

Commit changes with meaningful messages
Create and switch branches
Resolve merge conflicts intelligently
Generate comprehensive commit histories

Example: "Create a new feature branch and implement user profile functionality with proper commits"

🧪 Automated Testing

Generate and run comprehensive test suites:

Unit tests with high coverage
Integration testing setup
E2E test scenarios
Performance benchmarks

Example: "Write unit tests for the authentication module with 90% coverage"

📚 Documentation Generation

Create professional documentation automatically:

API documentation with examples
README files with setup instructions
Code comments and JSDoc
Architecture diagrams in markdown

Example: "Generate complete API documentation for all endpoints"

Visual Studio Code Integration

Enhance your workflow by combining Claude Code with VS Code:

1. Open VS Code from WSL

Ubuntu Terminal

code .

2. Run Claude Code in Terminal

Use VS Code's integrated terminal to run Claude Code while viewing changes in real-time

3. Review Changes Visually

See Claude's modifications highlighted in VS Code's diff viewer

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Encountering problems? Here are solutions to the most common issues Windows users face when installing and using Claude Code.

Error: "Claude Code is not supported on Windows"

Cause: You're trying to install Claude Code in Windows terminal instead of WSL.

Solution:

Ensure you're in WSL Ubuntu terminal, not PowerShell or CMD
Check your terminal prompt - it should show your Linux username
Run uname -a - it should show Linux, not Windows
If in Windows terminal, open Ubuntu from Start menu or run wsl

Error: "npm: command not found"

Cause: Node.js/npm not installed in WSL or PATH not configured.

Solution:

Verify you're in WSL: echo $SHELL
Reinstall Node.js using NVM as shown in Step 2
Run source ~/.bashrc to reload configuration
Check installation: which npm

Error: "ENOENT: spawn /bin/bash"

Cause: Claude Code can't find the bash shell in Windows environment.

Solution:

Ensure you're running Claude Code from within WSL
Don't use npx from Windows terminal
Navigate to project directory within WSL before running claude
If persists, restart WSL: wsl --shutdown then reopen

Performance Issues in /mnt/c/ Directories

Cause: Cross-filesystem operations between WSL and Windows are slower.

Solution:

Move projects to Linux filesystem: cp -r /mnt/c/project ~/project
Use \\wsl$ in Windows Explorer to access Linux files
For better performance, develop primarily in Linux filesystem
Use Git to sync between Windows and Linux if needed

Permission Denied Errors

Cause: npm trying to install in system directories.

Solution:

Never use sudo with npm install
Configure npm prefix as shown in Step 3.3
Check npm config: npm config get prefix
Should be /home/username/.npm-global

Business Impact: Why Claude Code Matters

Understanding the business implications of adopting Claude Code can help justify the investment in AI-powered development tools. Here's how it transforms your development operations:

ROI Calculator: Claude Code Impact

Number of Developers:

Average Hourly Rate ($):

Hours Saved per Week:

Weekly Savings: $3,750

Monthly Savings: $15,000

Annual Savings: $180,000

⚡

Accelerated Development

10x faster code generation
Reduced time to market
Rapid prototyping capabilities
Instant boilerplate creation

🎯

Improved Code Quality

Consistent coding standards
Built-in best practices
Reduced technical debt
Comprehensive test coverage

💡

Knowledge Amplification

Instant codebase understanding
Built-in documentation
Reduced onboarding time
Continuous learning tool

💰

Cost Efficiency

Reduced development hours
Fewer bugs in production
Lower maintenance costs
Optimized resource allocation

Real-World Impact: Development Team Case Study

Before Claude Code

Average feature development: 40 hours
Bug resolution time: 8 hours
Code review cycles: 3-4 rounds
Documentation: Often outdated

→

After Claude Code

Average feature development: 10 hours
Bug resolution time: 2 hours
Code review cycles: 1-2 rounds
Documentation: Always current

Security Best Practices

When using AI-powered development tools, security should be a top priority. Here's how to use Claude Code safely and protect your intellectual property:

🔐 Access Control

Use per-command authorization for sensitive projects
Review all code changes before accepting
Limit Claude Code access to specific directories
Never grant access to production credentials

🛡️ Data Protection

Avoid processing sensitive customer data
Use environment variables for secrets
Exclude sensitive files from project directory
Regular security audits of generated code

📋 Compliance

Review Anthropic's data handling policies
Ensure compliance with your industry regulations
Document AI-assisted code for audits
Maintain code ownership clarity

Security Checklist

☑️ Configure .gitignore to exclude sensitive files
☑️ Use separate development environments for Claude Code
☑️ Regularly rotate API keys and credentials
☑️ Monitor Claude Code usage and costs
☑️ Train team on secure AI tool usage
☑️ Implement code review processes for AI-generated code

Optimization Tips for Maximum Efficiency

Get the most out of Claude Code with these optimization strategies and productivity tips gathered from experienced users:

💻 WSL Performance Optimization

Use WSL 2 for Better Performance

Ensure you're running WSL 2 for improved file system performance:

wsl --set-default-version 2

Allocate Sufficient Resources

Create .wslconfig in your Windows user directory to optimize performance:

[wsl2]
memory=8GB
processors=4
swap=2GB

Keep Projects in Linux Filesystem

Avoid /mnt/c/ for active development to prevent I/O bottlenecks

💰 Cost Management Strategies

Start with Smaller Models

Use Claude Sonnet for routine tasks, Opus for complex challenges

Batch Related Tasks

Group similar operations to leverage context efficiently

Monitor Usage Patterns

Check /cost regularly and set budget alerts in Anthropic Console

🚀 Productivity Shortcuts

Create Project Templates

Save time by having Claude Code generate reusable project structures

Use Aliases for Common Tasks

Add to ~/.bashrc:

alias claude-project='cd ~/projects && claude'

Leverage Context Files

Create CLAUDE.md files to provide project context automatically

Embrace the Future of AI-Powered Development

You've now mastered the complete process of installing and using Claude Code on Windows through WSL. This powerful AI coding assistant represents just the beginning of what's possible when businesses embrace AI-driven development tools. By following this guide, you've taken the first step toward dramatically improving your development workflow, reducing costs, and accelerating innovation.

Key Takeaways

✅ Claude Code requires WSL for Windows users but delivers exceptional value
✅ Proper setup ensures smooth operation and optimal performance
✅ AI-powered development can reduce coding time by up to 75%
✅ Security and cost management are essential for enterprise adoption
✅ The ROI from improved productivity far exceeds the tool costs

Your Next Steps

Complete Installation: Follow our guide to set up Claude Code today
Start Small: Begin with simple tasks to build confidence
Measure Impact: Track time savings and quality improvements
Scale Adoption: Expand usage across your development team
Explore AI Strategy: Consider broader AI implementation opportunities

Ready to Transform Your Business with AI?

Claude Code is just one example of how AI can revolutionize your operations. At ITECS, we specialize in helping businesses leverage cutting-edge AI technologies to drive growth, improve efficiency, and stay ahead of the competition.

✓

Custom AI Strategy Development

✓

Enterprise AI Tool Implementation

✓

Team Training and Support

✓

Ongoing Optimization Services

Explore AI Consulting Services Schedule a Consultation

References and Additional Resources

Official Documentation

Related ITECS Resources

Community Resources

Claude Code GitHub Repository
Anthropic Developer Forums
WSL Community Support

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