Getting Started with Claude Code

Getting Started with Claude Code

**Your Guide to Installing and Using Claude Code for the Top 100 Recipes**

*Last Updated: December 2025*

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What is Claude Code?

Claude Code is Anthropic's official command-line interface (CLI) tool that brings Claude's AI capabilities directly into your terminal. Unlike the web interface at claude.ai, Claude Code is designed for professionals who work with files, code, documents, and data on their local machines.

With Claude Code, you can:

• Analyze and transform documents directly from your file system
• Generate reports, summaries, and communications
• Work with spreadsheets, presentations, and business documents
• Automate repetitive knowledge work tasks
• Process multiple files and create structured outputs

The **Top 100 Claude Code Recipes for Knowledge Workers** are designed to work with Claude Code's ability to read your files, understand context, and produce professional outputs—all from your terminal.

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Before You Begin: What You'll Need

Account Requirements

You need **one** of the following to use Claude Code:

Option	Best For	How to Get It
Claude Pro/Max	Individual professionals	Subscribe at claude.ai/pricing
Claude Console	Developers, pay-as-you-go	Create account at console.anthropic.com
Enterprise	Organizations	Contact Anthropic sales or use AWS Bedrock/Google Vertex AI

**Recommendation for Recipe Users:** Claude Max subscription provides the best experience with higher usage limits at a predictable monthly cost. This is ideal if you plan to use multiple recipes regularly.

System Requirements

Requirement	Minimum	Recommended
RAM	4 GB	8 GB+
Storage	500 MB free	1 GB+ free
Internet	Required	Stable broadband
Location	Anthropic-supported country	—

Operating System Compatibility

OS	Versions Supported	Notes
macOS	10.15 (Catalina) or higher	Native support
Windows	Windows 10 or higher	WSL recommended; native PowerShell available
Linux	Ubuntu 20.04+, Debian 10+	Native support

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Installation Instructions

Choose your operating system below and follow the steps.

macOS Installation

macOS users have the smoothest installation experience. Choose one method:

Method 1: Homebrew (Recommended)

If you have Homebrew installed (most Mac developers do):

brew install --cask claude-code

Method 2: Direct Installation

Open Terminal and run:

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

After installation completes, reload your shell:

source ~/.zshrc

*(If you use bash instead of zsh, run `source ~/.bashrc`)*

Verify Installation

claude --version
claude doctor

You should see the version number and a health check confirming everything is working.

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