Getting Started with ClaudeCode

Learn how to install, configure, and start using ClaudeCode in just 10 minutes. A complete beginner's guide to AI-powered development.

ClaudeCode Guide Team
beginnerinstallationsetupgetting-started

Welcome to ClaudeCode! This guide will help you get up and running with ClaudeCode in just 10 minutes. By the end, you'll have ClaudeCode installed and ready to boost your development workflow.

What is ClaudeCode?

ClaudeCode is Anthropic's official command-line interface for Claude, designed specifically for software development tasks. It combines the power of Claude AI with deep integration into your development environment, enabling:

  • Intelligent code generation - Write code faster with AI assistance
  • Automated refactoring - Improve code quality with intelligent suggestions
  • Context-aware debugging - Get help understanding and fixing errors
  • Documentation generation - Create comprehensive docs automatically
  • Code review assistance - Receive thoughtful code reviews

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have:

  • Node.js 18.0 or higher - Download here
  • npm or yarn - Comes with Node.js
  • An Anthropic API key - Get one here
  • A terminal/command line - Available on all operating systems
  • A code editor - VS Code, Vim, or your preferred editor

Installation

Step 1: Install ClaudeCode

Install ClaudeCode globally using npm:

npm install -g claude-code

Or using yarn:

yarn global add claude-code

Verify the installation:

claudecode --version

You should see the version number displayed.

Step 2: Configure Your API Key

Set up your Anthropic API key. You have three options:

Option 1: Environment Variable (Recommended)

Add to your shell configuration file (~/.bashrc, ~/.zshrc, etc.):

export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="your-api-key-here"

Then reload your shell:

source ~/.bashrc  # or ~/.zshrc

Option 2: Configuration File

Create a config file at ~/.claudecode/config.json:

{
  "apiKey": "your-api-key-here",
  "model": "claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929"
}

Option 3: Command Line

Pass the API key with each command:

claudecode --api-key "your-api-key-here"

Step 3: Verify Setup

Test your configuration:

claudecode test

If everything is configured correctly, you'll see a success message.

Your First ClaudeCode Session

Let's start your first interactive session:

claudecode

You'll enter an interactive prompt where you can have a conversation with Claude about your code.

Try These Commands

1. Ask a question:

You: How do I reverse a string in JavaScript?

Claude will provide a detailed explanation with code examples.

2. Generate code:

You: Write a function that validates email addresses using regex

Claude will generate a complete, tested function.

3. Analyze code:

You: /read myfile.js
You: Explain what this code does

Claude will analyze your file and provide a detailed explanation.

4. Get help with errors:

You: I'm getting "TypeError: Cannot read property 'map' of undefined"
You: Here's my code: [paste code]

Claude will help debug and suggest fixes.

Essential Commands

ClaudeCode provides several commands to enhance your workflow:

File Operations

  • /read <file> - Read a file and add it to context
  • /write <file> - Write content to a file
  • /edit <file> - Make changes to an existing file
  • /list - List files in current directory

Session Management

  • /save <name> - Save current session
  • /load <name> - Load a saved session
  • /clear - Clear conversation history
  • /exit - Exit ClaudeCode

Context Management

  • /context - Show current context
  • /reset - Reset context and start fresh
  • /model <name> - Switch between Claude models

Help

  • /help - Show all available commands
  • /docs - Open documentation

Configuration Options

Customize ClaudeCode behavior in ~/.claudecode/config.json:

{
  "apiKey": "your-api-key-here",
  "model": "claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929",
  "maxTokens": 4096,
  "temperature": 0.7,
  "editor": "code",
  "theme": "dark",
  "autoSave": true,
  "contextWindow": 10
}

Configuration Explained

  • model - Which Claude model to use (sonnet, opus, haiku)
  • maxTokens - Maximum response length
  • temperature - Response creativity (0.0 = focused, 1.0 = creative)
  • editor - Your preferred code editor command
  • theme - UI theme (dark, light, auto)
  • autoSave - Automatically save sessions
  • contextWindow - Number of previous messages to include

Common Use Cases

1. Code Generation

You: Create a React component for a user profile card

2. Code Review

You: /read src/components/UserCard.jsx
You: Review this code for best practices and potential improvements

3. Refactoring

You: /read legacy-code.js
You: Refactor this to use modern ES6+ syntax

4. Documentation

You: /read api.js
You: Generate JSDoc comments for all functions

5. Testing

You: /read calculator.js
You: Write Jest tests for this module

6. Debugging

You: /read buggy-code.js
You: This code isn't working as expected. Help me debug it.

Best Practices

1. Provide Context

The more context you provide, the better Claude can help:

# Good
You: I'm building a React e-commerce app.
     I need a shopping cart component that handles
     adding/removing items and calculating totals.

# Better
You: I'm building a React e-commerce app with TypeScript.
     I need a shopping cart component that:
     - Adds/removes items
     - Calculates totals with tax
     - Integrates with Redux for state management
     - Follows our project's coding standards

2. Iterate and Refine

Don't expect perfection on the first try:

You: Write a sorting function
Claude: [provides basic sort]
You: Can you make it support custom comparators?
Claude: [improves the function]
You: Now add TypeScript types
Claude: [adds types]

3. Use File Operations

Keep files in context:

You: /read src/utils/helpers.js
You: /read src/components/App.jsx
You: How can I use the helper functions in my App component?

4. Save Important Sessions

Save sessions for future reference:

You: /save api-refactor-session
# Later...
claudecode /load api-refactor-session

5. Break Down Complex Tasks

For complex projects, work in stages:

# Stage 1: Planning
You: I want to build a todo app. Help me plan the architecture.

# Stage 2: Implementation
You: Let's start with the data model

# Stage 3: Features
You: Now add the ability to mark todos as complete

# Stage 4: Testing
You: Write tests for the todo functionality

Keyboard Shortcuts

Improve your efficiency with these shortcuts:

  • Ctrl + C - Cancel current operation
  • Ctrl + D - Exit ClaudeCode
  • Ctrl + L - Clear screen
  • Ctrl + R - Search command history
  • ↑/↓ Arrows - Navigate command history
  • Tab - Auto-complete commands

Troubleshooting

Issue: "API Key Not Found"

Solution:

export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="your-key"

Issue: "Rate Limit Exceeded"

Solution: Wait a few minutes or upgrade your API plan.

Issue: "Command Not Found"

Solution: Reinstall ClaudeCode:

npm install -g claude-code

Issue: "Context Too Large"

Solution: Reset context:

/reset

Issue: "Slow Response Times"

Solution:

  • Use a smaller model (haiku instead of opus)
  • Reduce maxTokens in config
  • Clear context with /reset

Next Steps

Now that you're set up, explore these resources:

  1. Command Reference - Complete list of all commands
  2. Advanced Features - Power user techniques
  3. Integration Guide - Connect with your tools
  4. Best Practices - Pro tips and patterns
  5. Troubleshooting - Common issues and solutions

Tips for Success

  1. Start small - Begin with simple tasks and gradually increase complexity
  2. Be specific - Clear, detailed requests get better results
  3. Iterate - Refine responses through conversation
  4. Save sessions - Keep track of important work
  5. Experiment - Try different approaches and commands
  6. Read docs - Explore advanced features as you grow comfortable

Community and Support

Conclusion

Congratulations! You're now ready to use ClaudeCode to enhance your development workflow. Remember that AI is a tool to augment your skills, not replace them. The best results come from combining your expertise with Claude's capabilities.

Start with simple tasks, experiment with different approaches, and gradually integrate ClaudeCode into your daily workflow. Happy coding!

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