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Install Claude Code, authenticate with your Anthropic account, and configure your environment for maximum productivity.
Read through the lesson, mark it complete when the concept is clear, then move to the next lesson in the sequence or jump back to the module map.
Claude Code is a Node.js CLI distributed via npm. Install it globally so it's available in any directory:
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
Verify the installation:
claude --version
Claude Code uses OAuth against your Anthropic account. On first launch, it opens a browser window for you to sign in. Your session token is stored locally — you won't need to re-authenticate every session.
If you're on a headless server or CI environment, use an API key instead:
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-...
claude
Claude Code reads a CLAUDE.md file in your project directory as persistent instructions. Create a global one at ~/.claude/CLAUDE.md that applies everywhere:
# My Global Preferences
- TypeScript strict mode always
- Prefer functional patterns
- Always run tests before marking done
- Never commit without explaining why
Project-level CLAUDE.md files override the global one.
Add these aliases to your ~/.zshrc or ~/.bashrc for a smoother experience:
alias cc="claude"
alias ccp="claude --print" # Print-only mode (no interactive)
| Flag | Purpose |
|---|---|
--no-update |
Pin the version (useful for CI) |
--print |
Non-interactive mode, output to stdout |
--dangerously-skip-permissions |
Auto-approve tools (use only in trusted automation) |
--model claude-opus-4-5 |
Override the default model |
Start by asking Claude to explain the codebase structure before asking for edits. This gives Claude the context it needs to make accurate changes. The /status command shows what files Claude has read, what tools are enabled, and the current session cost.