# How to use Claude Code in 2026: install, first session, VS Code, phone and Windows

Install it in one line, sign in with a paid Claude plan, and start in your project folder. The commands that matter, and where else it runs.

Published 2026-10-07 by Richard Kaminsky and Mitchell Lipyansky, the co-founders of Poly. Canonical: https://usepoly.co/how-to-use-claude-code
Poly is a multiplayer AI coding workspace: a shared room where your team works with one AI agent, together. Free to start: https://usepoly.co/

**To use Claude Code, Anthropic's coding agent, install it with one command (`curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash` on Mac, Linux or WSL, or `irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex` in Windows PowerShell), open a terminal in your project folder, run `claude` and sign in. It needs a Pro, Max, Team or Enterprise plan or an API account: Anthropic's docs say the free Claude plan "does not include Claude Code access." It also runs in VS Code and Cursor, the Claude desktop app, the browser at claude.ai/code and the Claude phone app.**

## Key takeaways

- **Install:** one line on every system, or Homebrew, WinGet or npm. The native installer updates itself.
- **Plan:** Pro at $20 a month is the cheapest way in; the free plan doesn't include it.
- **First session:** run `claude` in your project, then `/init` to write a CLAUDE.md with your project's commands and conventions.
- **Permissions:** since v2.1.283 new sessions start in auto mode; Shift+Tab switches to Manual, Accept edits or Plan.
- **Other places:** the VS Code extension (Cursor too), the desktop app's Code tab, claude.ai/code and the Code tab in the Claude app for iOS and Android.

*Where you can use Claude Code, from Anthropic's docs, October 7, 2026.*

| Surface | How to start | Good for |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Terminal (Mac, Linux, Windows) | Install, then run claude in your project | Everything; every command |
| VS Code and Cursor | Install the Claude Code extension | Diffs and plans next to your code |
| Desktop app | The Code tab in the Claude app | No command line |
| Browser | claude.ai/code | Cloud sessions on a GitHub repository |
| Phone | The Code tab in the Claude app | Cloud sessions and Remote Control |

## How do you install Claude Code?

From Anthropic's setup guide ([Anthropic](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/setup)):

- **Mac, Linux or WSL:** `curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash`
- **Windows PowerShell:** `irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex`
- **Windows CMD:** `curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.cmd -o install.cmd && install.cmd && del install.cmd`
- **Homebrew:** `brew install --cask claude-code`. **WinGet:** `winget install Anthropic.ClaudeCode`. Neither updates itself; upgrade with `brew upgrade claude-code` or `winget upgrade Anthropic.ClaudeCode`.
- **npm:** `npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code`, with Node.js 22 or later. Never use sudo.

Open a new terminal and run `claude --version` to check. The native install updates itself in the background; `claude update` updates it now. You need macOS 13, Windows 10 (1809) or Ubuntu 20.04 or later, and 4 GB of memory.

## How do you install Claude Code on Windows?

Press Win+X, open PowerShell (not as Administrator), and run `irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex`. You can also install inside WSL with the Mac and Linux command.

- **Git for Windows is optional.** With it, Claude runs commands in Git Bash; without it, in PowerShell.
- **Sandboxing** works only in WSL 2, not on native Windows.
- **The common errors** mean the wrong shell: `'irm' is not recognized` means you're in CMD, and an `-fsSL` error means you ran the Mac command in PowerShell. If `'claude' is not recognized`, add `%USERPROFILE%\.local\bin` to your PATH and open a new terminal ([Anthropic](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/troubleshoot-install)).

## Can you use Claude Code for free?

Not officially. You need Pro ($20 a month, or $17 billed annually), Max, Team, Enterprise, or an API account with prepaid credits ([Anthropic](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/setup#authenticate)). Anthropic also doesn't support pointing Claude Code at other labs' models. More in [Is Claude Code free?](/is-claude-code-free) and [Claude Code pricing](/claude-code-pricing).

## Your first session in the terminal

1. Open a terminal, go to your project with `cd`, and run `claude`. The first run opens a browser to sign in; `/login` switches accounts later.
2. Ask about the project: "what does this project do?" or "where is the main entry point?" Claude reads files as it needs them.
3. Run `/init`. It writes a CLAUDE.md with your build and test commands and conventions, which Claude reads at the start of every session ([CLAUDE.md vs AGENTS.md](/claude-md-vs-agents-md)).
4. Ask for a change: "add input validation to the signup form." Claude edits the files and shows what changed.
5. Then: "commit my changes with a descriptive message."

The commands you'll use most ([Anthropic](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/commands)):

- `/model` picks the model. On paid plans the default is Opus 5.5; `/model sonnet` switches to Sonnet 5.5.
- `/clear` starts a fresh conversation, `/compact` summarizes it to free up room, and `/resume` or `claude -c` picks up an earlier one.
- **Esc** stops Claude mid-step and keeps the work; Esc twice opens rewind.
- **@** points at a file. Paste images with Ctrl+V (Alt+V on Windows).
- `/usage` shows how much of your plan's limit you've used ([Claude Code usage limits](/claude-code-usage-limits)), and `/context` how full the conversation is ([context window](/claude-code-context-window)).

## What are the permission modes?

Since v2.1.283, interactive sessions start in **auto mode**: a classifier reviews each action instead of asking you ([Anthropic](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/permission-modes)). **Shift+Tab** cycles the others:

- **Manual** asks before every edit and command.
- **Accept edits** makes file changes without asking but still asks before commands.
- **Plan** reads and proposes a plan without changing anything ([Claude Code plan mode](/claude-code-plan-mode)).

To always start in Manual, set `defaultMode` to `default` in your settings. Anthropic's tips for working well with it are in [Claude Code best practices](/claude-code-best-practices).

## How do you use Claude Code in VS Code or Cursor?

Search "Claude Code" in the Extensions view (`anthropic.claude-code`), install it, open a file, and click the spark icon in the editor toolbar ([Anthropic](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/vs-code)). It needs VS Code 1.94 or later, and Anthropic's page has an install link for Cursor too.

- **What it adds:** side-by-side diffs you accept or reject, plans you can comment on, and Claude sees the file and the lines you have selected.
- **Change the model:** click the model name under the prompt box, or type `/model`.
- **The terminal too:** the extension doesn't add `claude` to your PATH; install the CLI to use it in the editor's terminal. Both share history, so `claude --resume` opens extension chats.

## Can you use Claude Code without the terminal?

- **The desktop app:** the Claude app for Mac, Windows and Linux (beta) has a Code tab. Pick a folder and a model; no Node.js or command line needed ([Claude Code vs Claude desktop](/claude-code-vs-claude-desktop)).
- **The browser:** claude.ai/code runs sessions on Anthropic's machines against a GitHub repository, and they keep going after you close your laptop ([Claude Code on the web](/claude-code-on-the-web)).
- **Your phone:** the Code tab in the Claude app for iOS and Android starts cloud sessions or drives a session on your own computer through Remote Control ([Claude Code on your phone](/claude-code-remote-control)).

## What if Claude Code isn't working?

- Run `/doctor` in a session; it checks the install, PATH and settings and offers fixes. If `claude` won't start at all, run `claude doctor` from your shell ([Anthropic](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/troubleshooting)).
- **VS Code never responds:** check your connection, start a new conversation, then run `claude` in a terminal to see the real error.
- **It hangs:** Ctrl+C, then `claude --resume`.

## Using Claude Code as a team

A Claude Code session belongs to the person who started it. Poly (usepoly.co) runs Claude Code and Codex in a shared browser room: a team works with one agent, everyone sees each step live, and any member can approve a change before it happens. Free to start. [What is Poly?](/what-is-poly)

## Common questions

**How do I install Claude Code?**

On Mac, Linux or WSL run curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash. On Windows run irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex in PowerShell. Homebrew, WinGet and npm work too. Then run claude in your project folder and sign in.

**Can I use Claude Code for free?**

No. Anthropic's docs say the free Claude plan does not include Claude Code. The cheapest way in is Pro at $20 a month, or an API account with prepaid credits.

**How do I use Claude Code in VS Code?**

Install the Claude Code extension (anthropic.claude-code), open a file and click the spark icon in the editor toolbar. It needs VS Code 1.94 or later and also installs in Cursor.

**How do I change the model in Claude Code?**

Type /model and pick one, or start with claude --model sonnet. In VS Code, click the model name under the prompt box. On paid plans the default is Opus 5.5.

**Does Claude Code work on Windows?**

Yes, natively or in WSL. Install it from PowerShell with irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex; no Administrator rights are needed. Git for Windows is optional, and sandboxing needs WSL 2.

More guides: https://usepoly.co/guides · Security: https://usepoly.co/security · Pricing: https://usepoly.co/pricing