Claude Code tutorial for beginners
This Claude Code tutorial takes you from a fresh install to your first commit. Every command here comes from Anthropic's own quickstart, and at the end you will add your first skill.
What do I need before I start?
You need two things. The first is a terminal, and the second is an account. A Claude Pro, Max, Team or Enterprise plan works, and so does a Claude Console account or access through a cloud provider.
How do I install it?
Run one command. On a Mac or on Linux, run this:
curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash
On Windows, open PowerShell and run this one instead.
irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex
You can also use Homebrew or WinGet:
brew install --cask claude-code winget install Anthropic.ClaudeCode
The first two installs keep themselves up to date in the background. Homebrew and WinGet do not, so you will have to upgrade those by hand when a new version comes out.
To check that it worked, open a new terminal and run the line below. It should print a version number.
claude --version
How do I start my first session?
Go to your project folder and type claude.
cd /path/to/your/project claude
The first time, Claude Code asks you to log in, and you finish that step in your browser. You only do this once.
What should I ask first?
Ask it to explain the code. That is the safest place to start. A good first prompt is "what does this project do?" Claude reads your files and gives you a summary, so you learn the project before you change it.
How do I make my first change?
Give it a small job, like "add a hello world function to the main file," and Claude will find the right file and show you the change before it saves anything. If it asks first, pick Yes.
Press Shift+Tab to switch how much Claude can do without asking. The modes run from default to acceptEdits to plan. Plan mode is the one to use when you want Claude to look around before it edits anything.
How do I use Git with it?
Ask in plain words, the way you would ask a friend who knows Git well, and Claude Code will run the Git steps for you. Try "what files have I changed?" first. Then ask it to "commit my changes with a descriptive message," and Claude will write the message.
Which commands will I use every day?
Type / inside a session to see every command and skill you have. These are the ones most people need:
- The
claude -ccommand picks up your last chat in this folder. - The
claude -rcommand lets you pick an older chat to resume. - The
/clearcommand wipes the current chat history. - The
/helpcommand lists your commands. - The
/exitcommand ends it.
Should I use the Claude Code app or the terminal?
Use whichever one you like, because every version runs on the same engine. Your CLAUDE.md files and your MCP servers work in all of them. The terminal version gives you the full command line, and it is the one this guide uses, so every step above works there exactly as written. The desktop app lets you review diffs on screen and run several sessions side by side. It already includes Claude Code. It does need a paid plan.
How do I add a skill to Claude Code?
Put a folder with a SKILL.md file inside ~/.claude/skills/ if you want to use it in every project on your computer, or put it in .claude/skills/ inside the repo and commit it if your whole team should get it. Then type a slash and the skill's name to run it.
Read a skill before you add it. Anthropic warns that a skill can give itself broad tool access, so check its allowed-tools line. Our install guide walks through each step.
FAQ
Can Claude Code read an AGENTS.md file?
Yes, it can. Claude Code reads CLAUDE.md at the start of each session. If your repo already has an AGENTS.md file for other agents, Claude Code can read that file instead.
Can I run one question without starting a session?
Yes, you can. Run claude -p with your question in quotes, and Claude Code answers and then exits.
Where do I find skills to try?
Start with our Claude Code skills list. Every listing links to the author's repo and shows its license.