How To Install Claude Code On Mac

Description

In this tutorial, you will learn how to install and run the AI Coding Assistant, Claude Code, on a Mac computer.

In this tutorial, you’ll learn:

• System Requirements to run Claude Code on Macs
• How To Install Claude Code using Terminal
• How To Confirm Installation
• How To Check Health of Installation
• How To Authenticate Account
• How To Interact With Claude Code
• How To Run Claude Code (Demo)

**System Requirements:
**MacOS 10.15 or later
Node.js installed on Mac

**Download & Install Node.js:
**https://nodejs.org

**Install Claude Code Snippet:
**npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

How To Install Claude Code (knowledge base article):
https://docs.anthropic.com/en/docs/claude-code/setup

Terminal Commands CheatSheet:
node —version (check to see if Node.js is installed)
claude update (How To Update Claude)
claude —version (check if Claude Code is installed)
claude doctor (check health of installation)
claude (run Claude Code)

/help (Claude Code command help)
/exit (exit Claude Code and return to Terminal Home)

clear (quick clear of Terminal window)
Cmd + L (clear Terminal and retain scrollback history)
Cmd + K (clear Terminal and scrollback)

cd Change Directory
cd + Return (Home Folder)|
pwd Print Working Directory (show path)

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Gear I Use:
https://mikemurphy.co/resources

**To try or buy Adobe After Effects CC 2025:
**https://mikemurphy.co/adobe (affiliate link)

**Terrapin Textures:
**https://terrapintextures.com

⭕️ **Check out my Domestika Course on Adobe Audition:
**https://mikemurphy.co/domestika

——————

✅ **Chapters:
**00:00 Intro: About The Tutorial
00:14 What You Will Learn
00:36 What is Claude Code?
00:56 Claude Pricing Plans
01:16 Is Claude Code Too Technical For Me?
01:42 Step 1: Prerequisites_System Requirements
02:53 Node.js Confirmation & Install
03:25 Download & Install Node.js
04:11 Step 2: Install Claude Code Snippet
04:40 Verify Claude Code Installation
05:09 Claude Doctor
05:30 Terminal Keyboard Shortcuts (Clear)
05:57 Step 3:Run Claude Code & Authenticate
06:25 Select Login Method
06:44 Claude Terminal Setup Optimization
07:36 Help & Exit Claude Code
07:59 Step 4: Get Starting Using Claude Code
08:34 Navigate To Claude Demo (cd)
09:16 Change Directory Demo (cd)
10:20 pwd (Print Working Directory)
10:56 Shortcut: New Folder at Terminal
11:18 Run Claude Code
11:44 Enter Text Prompt
13:03 Making Changes Using Text Prompts
13:57 Exit & End Session

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How to Install Claude Code:

1. Upgrade Claude.ai account to Pro or Max Plan
2. Click Apple in top left corner of Mac
3. Confirm MacOS is 10.15 or later
4. Open Terminal (located in Utilities Folder in Applications Folder)
5. Confirm Node.js is installed by typing node —version in Terminal
6. You will see version number if installed
7. If Node.js is not installed, visit https://nodejs.org to download and install
8. Re**-**confirm Node.js is installed by typing node —version in Terminal
9. Clear Terminal (type ‘clear’ or Cmd + K)
10. Install Claude Code by pasting snippet of code:
    npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
11. Confirm installation by typing claude —version
12. Confirm health of install by typing claude doctor
13. Authenticate Preferred Login by selecting 1 for Web (most common)
14. Select 2 for using Claude Code API only
15. Tap Return to authenticate
16. Select Yes to setup Claude Code Terminal Optimization
17. Enter /help to view Claude Code commands
18. Tap /exit to exit the Repl

How to Run Claude Code (Demo):

1. Create a Project Folder in Home Directory (or Desktop, etc)
2. Open Terminal
3. Use Change Directory (cd) to navigate to project folder
4. Tip: Right-click on Folder and go to Services….New Terminal at Folder
5. Type claude to open Claude Code
6. Type anything you want Claude Code to do
7. Create a cool, retro/vintage interactive data visualization with the phrases ‘Mike Murphy’ and ‘AI Handyman’ floating around
8. Chat with Claude Code to make changes
9. /exit to exit Claude Code

• 10. Cmd+K to clear Terminal**
**