# How to install Claude Code (October 2026)

Canonical: https://theagenticweekly.com/what-is/how-to-install-claude-code · Last verified: 2026-10-27 · Published: 2026-10-27 · Author: Agentic Weekly (operated independently from Texas, US) · Evidence: Evidence: Reported. Install commands are copied from Anthropic's setup docs read from the sources listed below on 2026-10-27 (America/Chicago). We did not run these products or models for this page; our separate smoke test of Claude Code is on its test log.

> Install Claude Code on macOS or Linux with `curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash`, on Windows PowerShell with `irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex`, or with Homebrew (`brew install --cask claude-code`), WinGet (`winget install Anthropic.ClaudeCode`) or npm. Then run `claude --version`. You need a paid Claude plan or Console account: the free plan does not include Claude Code. Read from Anthropic's docs on Oct 27, 2026.

## Install commands

Table: Claude Code install methods from Anthropic's docs, read 2026-10-27

| Method | Command | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Native installer (macOS, Linux) | `curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh / bash` | Auto-updates |
| Windows PowerShell | `irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 / iex` | Auto-updates |
| Homebrew | `brew install --cask claude-code` | Does not auto-update |
| WinGet | `winget install Anthropic.ClaudeCode` | Does not auto-update |
| npm | `npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code` | Needs Node.js 22 or newer |

The docs also list apt, dnf and apk package repositories for Linux.

## Check it worked

1. Run `claude --version` to confirm the install.
2. Run `claude doctor` to check the installation and configuration.
3. Run `claude` in a project folder and sign in with a Pro, Max, Team or Enterprise account, or a Console account.

## FAQ

### How do I install Claude Code?

Run the native installer: `curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash` on macOS or Linux, or `irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex` in Windows PowerShell. Homebrew, WinGet and npm also work (Anthropic docs, read Oct 27, 2026).

### Do I need a paid plan to install Claude Code?

Installing is free, but using it needs a Pro, Max, Team, Enterprise or Console account, or Bedrock, Vertex AI or Foundry. The free claude.ai plan does not include Claude Code. See [Claude Code pricing](https://theagenticweekly.com/what-is/claude-code-pricing).

### Does Claude Code update itself?

Native installs auto-update, per the docs. Homebrew and WinGet installs do not; update them with the package manager.

## Sources

- [Claude Code setup docs](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/setup) (fetched 2026-10-27)

## Related

- [Claude Code pricing](https://theagenticweekly.com/what-is/claude-code-pricing)
- [Claude Code: our smoke test and notes](https://theagenticweekly.com/tools/claude-code)
- [Claude Code test log](https://theagenticweekly.com/tests/claude-code)
- [Best AI coding agents](https://theagenticweekly.com/best/ai-coding-agents)
- [Cursor pricing](https://theagenticweekly.com/what-is/cursor-pricing)
- [Cursor vs Codex CLI](https://theagenticweekly.com/compare/cursor-vs-codex-cli)
- [Cursor vs Claude Code vs Codex CLI](https://theagenticweekly.com/compare/cursor-vs-claude-code-vs-codex-cli)
- [AI coding tool questions answered](https://theagenticweekly.com/what-is/ai-coding-tool-questions-answered)
- [All explainers and answers](https://theagenticweekly.com/what-is)

## Changelog

- 2026-10-27: First published. Facts read from the sources listed below on this date.

## How to cite

Agentic Weekly, "How to install Claude Code (October 2026)", last updated 2026-10-27, https://theagenticweekly.com/what-is/how-to-install-claude-code