How to Install Claude Code · The Full Guide in English (2026).

**How do you install Claude Code?** Go to claude.ai, download Claude for Desktop, and install it like any other software. Install Node.js. Go through the settings (Capabilities, Connectors, permission modes), and finally create a CLAUDE.md file that gives Claude its "brain" · who you are and how to work with you. The entire process takes about 20 minutes. Claude Code is not just another chat. It is like a senior software developer sitting inside your computer · you give it a task, it plans with you, writes the code, connects to tools, and executes everything from start to finish. You bring the idea, it brings the solution. This guide is the essence of **Session 1 out of 3 in the AI Master Club Claude Code Workshop**. In this session, we covered the full installation and setup · exactly 95% of the work with the tool. From the moment it is installed and configured correctly, it guides you through everything you get stuck on by itself.

What you will have by the end of this guide

• Claude Code installed and running on your computer · Mac or Windows
• All critical settings open · access to files, the network, the browser, and the computer
• Your own CLAUDE.md file · the brain that knows you and your workflow
• An understanding of the 5 permission modes and the models · when to use each one
• Installation checklist + ready-to-use prompt for download · for repeated use

Why install on Desktop rather than in the terminal

Claude for Desktop is free to download, but using Claude Code requires a paid subscription. The base plan (Pro) costs about $17 per month with an annual subscription or $20 per month with a monthly subscription. Recommendation: Start with a monthly subscription, check if it fits you, and cancel if not. Most people stay · once you see what the tool does, it is hard to go back.

Step 1 · Installing Claude for Desktop

Step 2 · Installing Node.js

Windows users will also need to install Git later on. Do not touch that now · we will get to it in the next session along with backups. At this stage, install only Claude Code and Node.js. Everything in steps, without overloading.

Step 3 · Capabilities settings · Giving Claude power

Want to master Claude Code from scratch?

This guide gave you the basics. In the full Claude Code Workshop, we build together step by step: installation, CLAUDE.md, skills, agents, and a live website in the air. 4 recorded sessions, lifetime access.

Connectors · Connecting to external tools via MCP

Claude Code settings · Permission modes and security

Cowork and Dispatch · A personal assistant that executes tasks

Claude in Chrome · Claude working inside the browser

General Desktop settings · keep awake, browser, computer

Workspace overview · Folders and 5 permission modes

The full Claude Code Workshop brings everything together in one place: installation, skills, agents, and website building. 4 recorded sessions with lifetime access.

Models and effort modes · Choosing the right tool

CLAUDE.md · Giving Claude a brain

Two ways to create your CLAUDE.md

Ready-to-use prompt for building CLAUDE.md

I want you to help me build a CLAUDE.md file · my general configuration file for working with you. Before writing anything, ask me questions one after another (not all at once) to understand: 1. Who I am · name, role, field of work, what I work on daily 2. My goals and objectives · what I most want to achieve working with you 3. My common task types · what I will ask you to do over and over 4. My preferred communication style · tone, response length, language (Hebrew/English), level of detail 5. My technical knowledge level · what I am strong at, where I need simple explanations 6. What not to do · words/phrases that are forbidden, styles I hate, boundaries that must not be crossed 7. Technical preferences · tools, platforms, formats I work with After I answer everything, write me a well-organized CLAUDE.md file, divided into clear headings, and as short as possible without sacrificing what matters. Show it to me for approval before saving.

Installation checklist + CLAUDE.md prompt

A text file with all installation and setup steps, the list of Capabilities, the 5 permission modes, and the full prompt for building CLAUDE.md. For repeated use.

Golden rule · Always back up. A story recently surfaced about a company owner who built an entire system with Claude Code · companies had been working with it for 5 years. In a single feature update, an action that took 8 seconds wiped out 3 months of customer data. The conclusion: every project · always, always upload to Git (a code repository backed up in the cloud), do not wait 3 months. And especially · do not give the agent access to finances, a bank account, or credit cards. One mistake is enough. Always work on a specific folder, not the entire desktop.

What is in the next sessions of the workshop

Want to master Claude Code from scratch?

This guide gave you the basics. In the full Claude Code Workshop, we build together step by step: installation, CLAUDE.md, skills, agents, and a live website in the air. 4 recorded sessions, lifetime access.

Frequently asked questions about installing Claude Code

No. 99% of computers run it without any problem · even an old Mac from a few years ago. You do not need to buy a new computer. The tool runs on your regular computer.

Yes, on both. 'Desktop' is simply the workspace you are used to. The website automatically detects the operating system and offers the correct file. Windows users will also need to install Git later.

Claude for Desktop is free to download, but using Claude Code requires a paid subscription. The Pro plan costs about $17 per month (annual) or $20 per month (monthly). You can start monthly and test it out.

Chat is the regular chat, similar to ChatGPT. Cowork is a personal assistant that manages files and applications on the computer. Claude Code is a senior software developer that builds websites, automations, and agents · and it can perform everything Cowork does and more.

This is Claude's 'brain' · a configuration file that tells it who you are, what your role is, how you want it to behave, and what not to do. There is a general file that runs across everything, and specific files for each project. You can ask Claude to build it or use a ready-made prompt.

Its Hebrew is excellent. The only issue is right-to-left writing · when mixing English terms, it sometimes gets confused between right and left. In the browser and development environments, there are plugins that fix this. On Desktop, it does not really get in the way.

Because an agent can make mistakes. We documented a case where a single action wiped out 3 months of data. Git is a cloud-backed code repository · any project uploaded to it can be restored, shared, and accessed from anywhere. Always work with a backup.

That is it. Claude Code is installed, configured, and has a brain that knows you. Now it can build websites, automations, and agents with you · directly from your computer. Your assignment until the next session: make sure everything is installed, and create your first CLAUDE.md. See you in the next session.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a powerful computer to run Claude Code?

No. 99% of computers run this without any issue · even an old Mac from a few years ago. You do not need to buy a new computer. The tool runs on your regular computer.

Can it be installed on Mac and Windows?

Yes, on both. Desktop is simply the working environment you are used to. The website automatically detects the operating system and offers the correct file. Windows users will also need to install Git later.

How much does it cost to use Claude Code?

Claude for Desktop is downloaded for free, but using Claude Code requires a paid subscription. The Pro plan costs about $17 per month (annual) or $20 per month (monthly). You can start monthly and test it out.

What is the difference between Chat, Cowork, and Claude Code?

Chat is the regular chat, similar to ChatGPT. Cowork is a personal assistant that manages files and applications on the computer. Claude Code is a senior software developer that builds websites, automations, and agents · and it can perform everything Cowork does and more.

What is a CLAUDE.md file?

It is Claude's brain · a settings file that tells it who you are, what your role is, how you want it to behave, and what not to do. There is a general file that runs on everything, and specific files for each project. You can ask Claude to build it or use a ready-made prompt.

Is Claude Code's Hebrew good?

Its Hebrew is excellent. The only issue is right-to-left writing · when mixing English terms, it sometimes gets confused between right and left. In browsers and development environments, there are plugins that fix this. In Desktop, it does not really interfere.

Why must you back up to Git?

Because an agent can make a mistake. We documented a case where a single action deleted 3 months of data. Git is a cloud-backed code repository · any project uploaded to it can be restored, shared, and accessed from anywhere. Always work with a backup.