Quick Summary: Installing Claude Code on Windows requires setting up WSL2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux), installing Ubuntu, and running a simple installation script. The process allows Windows users to access Anthropic’s AI coding assistant through their terminal. Native Windows binaries are available, however WSL2 is still the best practice for Windows installation.
Claude Code is an AI-powered coding assistant that operates directly in the terminal, helping developers build features, fix bugs, and automate development tasks. But there’s a catch for Windows users.
Claude Code is available as a native Windows executable and can be installed via npm or a direct binary download without WSL2. However, it requires the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL2), and the official installation method still relies on WSL2.
Here’s how to get it working on Windows 11 or Windows 10.
System Requirements
Before starting the installation, verify the Windows machine meets these requirements:
- Windows 10 1809+ or Windows Server 2019+
- Windows 11 (any version)
- At least 4GB of RAM available
- Administrative privileges on the system
- Internet connection for downloading WSL2 and Ubuntu
The installation requires disk space for WSL2, Ubuntu, and Claude Code.
Step 1: Enable Windows Subsystem for Linux
WSL2 provides a Linux environment directly within Windows. It’s the foundation that allows Claude Code to function.
Open PowerShell as Administrator. Right-click the Start button and select “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” or “Terminal (Admin)” on Windows 11.
Run this command:
wsl –install
This command enables the necessary Windows features and installs Ubuntu as the default Linux distribution. The system will likely prompt for a restart.
After rebooting, WSL2 completes the setup automatically. Ubuntu launches and asks for a username and password. These credentials are for the Linux environment only—they don’t need to match Windows credentials.
Step 2: Verify WSL2 Installation
Once the system restarts and Ubuntu finishes its initial setup, verify WSL2 is running correctly.
Open the Ubuntu terminal (search “Ubuntu” in the Start menu) and run:
wsl –version
This displays the WSL version information. Look for “WSL version: 2.x.x” in the output.
If the command shows WSL1 instead, upgrade to WSL2 with:
wsl –set-default-version 2
Step 3: Install Claude Code
Now for the actual Claude Code installation. The official documentation provides a one-line installation script.
In the Ubuntu terminal, run:
curl -fsSL claude.ai/install.sh | bash
The script downloads the Claude Code binary, sets up necessary permissions, and adds it to the system PATH. Installation duration varies depending on internet speed and system specifications.
According to the official Claude Code documentation, the installer automatically detects the system architecture and downloads the appropriate binary version.
Common Installation Issues
Some Windows users report seeing “command not found: claude” after installation. This typically happens because the PATH variable hasn’t refreshed.
Close and reopen the Ubuntu terminal, then try again. If the issue persists, this path configuration may help as an unofficial workaround:
echo ‘export PATH=”$HOME/.claude/bin:$PATH”‘ >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc
Step 4: Authenticate Claude Code
Claude Code requires authentication with an Anthropic account before use.
Run this command:
claude
The terminal displays a URL and asks for authentication. The process varies slightly for individual users versus team accounts:
| Account Type | Authentication Method | What’s Required |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | Personal API key | Anthropic account with API access |
| Team/Organization | Organization token | Admin-provided authentication token |
Open the provided URL in a browser, sign in to the Anthropic account, and authorize Claude Code. The terminal confirms successful authentication.
Working with Windows Projects in WSL2
Here’s where things get tricky. Windows file systems and WSL2 file systems are separate.
Windows files are accessible from WSL2 at /mnt/c/ (for C: drive), /mnt/d/ (for D: drive), and so on. But there’s a performance cost. Community discussions indicate performance differences between Windows-mounted and native WSL2 directories.
For best performance, copy project files into the WSL2 home directory:
cp -r /mnt/c/Users/YourName/Projects/your-project ~/projects/your-project
The trade-off? IDE integration becomes more complex. Visual Studio Code handles this well with its Remote-WSL extension, but other IDEs may struggle.
Testing the Installation
Verify Claude Code works correctly with a simple test.
Navigate to a project directory (or create a test folder):
mkdir ~/claude-test
cd ~/claude-test
claude “create a simple hello world Python script”
Claude Code should respond, create the file, and display the code. This confirms the installation succeeded.
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Installing Claude Code on Windows is usually quick. The real cost appears later when developers start testing prompts, running scripts, and integrating the model into applications. That experimentation phase can generate a lot of API calls, and many teams only realize the cost after they begin building.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can Claude Code run natively on Windows without WSL2?
Yes, but WSL2 still remains the best installation method for Windows.
Does Claude Code work with Windows Terminal?
Yes. Windows Terminal can open Ubuntu tabs, allowing access to Claude Code without switching to a separate Ubuntu window. In Windows Terminal, click the dropdown arrow and select Ubuntu from the profile list.
Will my existing Windows development tools work with Claude Code?
It depends on the tool. Visual Studio Code integrates well through the Remote-WSL extension. JetBrains IDEs and other tools may require additional configuration. The official documentation mentions VS Code and JetBrains as supported platforms.
How do I update Claude Code on Windows?
Claude Code updates automatically by default. To manually update, run claude update in the Ubuntu terminal. The auto-update feature can be disabled through configuration files if needed for enterprise environments.
What’s the difference between Claude Code and the Claude API?
Claude Code is a terminal-based coding assistant that executes commands and edits files. The Claude API provides programmatic access to Claude’s language model for building custom applications. They serve different purposes and require different setup processes.
Can I use Claude Code with .NET projects on Windows?
Yes, but with caveats. Community discussions indicate that .NET SDK support in WSL2 works, but requires installing the Linux version of the .NET SDK within Ubuntu. Windows-installed .NET won’t be accessible from WSL2.
How much does Claude Code cost?
Pricing depends on usage and account type. Check the official Anthropic website for current pricing tiers and team plans, as costs vary based on API consumption and organizational requirements.
Next Steps After Installation
With Claude Code installed, start exploring its capabilities. The quickstart documentation recommends beginning with simple tasks like code explanations before moving to more complex operations.
Try these commands to get familiar:
- claude “explain this function” – Get code explanations
- claude commit – Generate Git commit messages
- claude -c – Continue the most recent conversation
The official documentation provides detailed guides for IDE integration, plugin installation, and advanced configuration options. For teams, server-managed settings and analytics tracking offer additional control over Claude Code deployments.
WSL2 setup might seem like extra steps compared to native Windows applications, but it’s currently the only path to running Claude Code on Windows. The good news? Once configured, it runs smoothly and integrates with most development workflows.
