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Claude Code Setup with Claude Pro

The task: get Claude Code installed, signed in on a Pro plan, and answering in your own terminal — before any coursework depends on it.

about 30 minutesClaude Pro, US$20 / monthmacOS · Windows · Linux
Steps
  1. •Before you start
  2. 1Part 1 — Create the account
  3. 2Part 2 — Upgrade to Pro
  4. 3Part 3 — Install
  5. 4Part 4 — Verify
  6. 5Part 5 — Sign in
  7. 6Part 6 — First session
  8. •Reference
  9. •Usage limits
  10. •Links
•

Before you start

From: a Gmail address. To: Claude Code running on your computer. Time: about 30 minutes.

Requirements

  • macOS 13+, Windows 10 1809+, Ubuntu 20.04+ or Debian 10+.
  • 4 GB RAM, 64-bit.
  • A payment card.
Claude Code is not included in the free plan. Part 2 is mandatory.
create the accountupgrade to Proinstallverifysign infirst session
1

Part 1 — Create the account

  • Go to https://claude.ai
  • Click Continue with Google and pick your Gmail.
  • Enter your name and date of birth. Enter an SMS code if asked.
✅ Checkpoint 1: Claude replies when you type “hello”.
2

Part 2 — Upgrade to Pro

  • Click your initials, bottom-left → Settings → Billing → Upgrade plan.
  • Click Get Pro plan. Choose monthly (US$20).
  • Enter card details → Subscribe.
✅ Checkpoint 2: Settings → Billing shows an active Pro subscription.
Do not continue until you see it. Most Part 5 failures are a missing subscription.
3

Part 3 — Install

Do only your operating system's section. Copy commands exactly, paste, press Enter. Wait for “Claude Code successfully installed!”

macOS

Open Terminal: Cmd + Space → type Terminal → Enter. Paste with Cmd + V.

bash
curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash

Linux

Open a terminal: Ctrl + Alt + T. Paste with Ctrl + Shift + V — with Shift.

bash
curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash

Windows

Step 1 — Git for Windows (optional, recommended). Download from https://git-scm.com/downloads/win, run it, click Next on every screen. Keep the recommended option on the “Adjusting your PATH environment” screen. You never need to learn Git.

Step 2 — Open PowerShell. Press Win + X → Windows PowerShell. Your prompt must read PS C:\Users\YourName>. If there is no PS, you are in CMD — close it and reopen via Win + X. Do not use the entry marked (x86).

Step 3 — Paste (Ctrl + V):

powershell
irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex
Use native Windows, not WSL. WSL 2 adds sandboxing but splits your files across two filesystems.
4

Part 4 — Verify

bash
claude --version

Expect a version number, for example 2.1.211 (Claude Code).

✅ Checkpoint 3: a version number prints.

If you see “command not found” / “not recognized”

Run the fix for your system, then close the terminal and open a new one.

macOS

zsh
echo 'export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.zshrc && source ~/.zshrc

Linux

bash
echo 'export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.bashrc && source ~/.bashrc

Windows PowerShell

powershell
$currentPath = [Environment]::GetEnvironmentVariable('PATH', 'User')
[Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable('PATH', "$currentPath;$env:USERPROFILE\.local\bin", 'User')

Anything else: run claude doctor, or see the install troubleshooting guide.

5

Part 5 — Sign in

  • Run claude
  • A browser opens. Sign in with the same Gmail from Part 1. A different account will not find your Pro plan.
  • Approve, close the tab, return to the terminal.
  • Type /status
✅ Checkpoint 4: /status names your Pro plan.
  • Wrong account: type /login to switch.
  • No subscription option offered: /logout → claude update → close and reopen the terminal → claude.
⚠ If /status mentions an API key or Console account, you will be billed per use on top of your $20. Run claude logout, then claude login, and sign in with Pro credentials only.
6

Part 6 — First session

Make a practice folder and start there.

macOS / Linux

bash
mkdir ~/claude-lab && cd ~/claude-lab && claude

Windows PowerShell

powershell
mkdir $env:USERPROFILE\claude-lab; cd $env:USERPROFILE\claude-lab; claude

Type this

Prompt
make me a simple webpage that says hello world with a blue background

Claude asks permission before writing files. Press Enter for Yes. Open the claude-lab folder in Finder or File Explorer and double-click the .html file.

✅ Checkpoint 5: the page opens in your browser.

Then try:

Prompt
make the text much bigger and centre it on the page

Type exit to leave.

Reference

Inside Claude Code

/helpList commands
/statusAccount, plan, remaining usage
/login /logoutSwitch or sign out
/clearReset the conversation, stay open
/resumeReopen a past conversation
exitQuit

Keys: Esc stop Claude · ↑ previous message · Shift + Tab change permission mode · Ctrl + D twice quit

In the terminal

claudeStart in the current folder
claude --versionVersion
claude doctorDiagnose problems
claude updateUpdate now

Usage limits

Chat and Claude Code share one allowance: a session limit resetting every 5 hours, and a weekly limit. See Settings → Usage on claude.ai for your reset time.

To stay inside $20: decline any offer to continue on API credits and wait for the reset.

To use less: /clear between unrelated tasks, work in small folders, ask specific questions. Cancel at Settings → Billing.