How to Restore Claude Code Settings From a Backup

Description

Reinstalling Claude Code doesn’t have to mean starting from scratch.

In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to restore all of your custom commands, skills, and settings from a backup folder on your computer. If you followed my previous video on backing up Claude Code before uninstalling, this is the next step.

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What You’ll Learn:

• How to confirm Claude Code is installed and check its version on a fresh install
• How to verify your install method (native vs. npm) and what to do if you’re on the older npm method
• How to check that your fresh Claude Code install is a blank slate before restoring
• How to restore all custom commands, skills, and settings with a single terminal command
• How to run Claude Doctor to confirm your restored install is healthy and working

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Key Commands:

Check version:

claude --version

Check install location (Mac):

which claude

Check install location (Windows):

where claude

View Claude Code settings:

ls -la ~/.claude/

Check Global Config:

cat ~/.claude/settings.json

Restore Everything:

cp -r ~/claude-backup/.claude ~/

Verify everything:

claude doctor

🔗 Links Mentioned

How to Backup & Uninstall Claude Code: https://youtu.be/QdAtrdBHjBY
How to Install Claude Code (Native Installer): https://youtu.be/uPpj6CZ6LLo

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⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 Intro: About The Tutrial
00:37 Confirm Claude Code Status
01:11 Which Claude
01:21 .local Directory (Native Installer)
02:31 Restore Everything from Backup
03:38 Claude Doctor

🪜The Step-By-Step:

1. Open a terminal window on your computer.
2. Confirm Claude Code is installed by running claude –version.
3. Check where Claude Code was installed. On Mac, run which claude. On Windows, run where claude.
4. Before restoring, confirm the fresh install is empty.
5. Run ls -la ~/.claude/ to check for custom commands and skills
6. Run cat ~/.claude/settings.json to check the settings file. Both should be blank or minimal.
7. Run the restore command to copy everything from your backup folder into the Claude Code directory:
8. cp -r ~/claude-backup/.claude ~/.
9. The cp stands for copy and the -r flag means recursive, so it copies the entire folder and everything inside it.
10. Verify the restore worked by running the same two commands from Step 4 again.
11. You should now see your custom commands, skills, and settings populated.
12. Run claude doctor in the terminal to let Claude Code run a quick diagnostics check and confirm everything is working correctly.
13. Press Return to exit when done.