Claude Code Tutorial for Beginners: Setup Guide

Claude Code is one of the easiest ways to get started with AI-assisted coding from your own computer.

This beginner guide shows you how to set up Claude Code step by step, what you need before you start, and how to get your first working coding workflow running quickly.

If you want to use Claude Code for building apps, automating development tasks, or experimenting with AI coding workflows, this walkthrough will get you set up properly.

Sign up to Claude

If you don’t already have a Claude account, go to claude.com and setup your account.

I suggest getting a Pro plan to get started. Claude Code takes up significant amount of tokens and Free plan won’t last you long enough.

Setup IDE (Cursor)

An Integrated Development Environment (IDE) is required to run Claude Code. There are multiple IDE options to choose from and I am using my favourite which is Cursor.

Go to cursor.com and download the application on your computer.

Creating a Project

1. Open Cursor and you will see this screen below. Click ‘Open project‘ and create a new folder.

2. Now you will see this dark and empty screen.

3. Let’s open a terminal by going to the navigation bar -> Terminal -> New Terminal.

4. Go to Claude Code DocsClaude Code overview – Claude Code Docs and copy the code appropriate to your OS (I’m using macOS).

5. Paste the code into the terminal.

6. You’ve now installed Claude Code, well done!👏

Lauch Claude Code

1. Type ‘claude’ into the terminal.

claude

2. You can navigate using arrow keys and press enter to select.

3. (First time only) Login to Claude. When you first install Claude, it will ask you to login. Follow the instructions by clicking the link provided and login from a browser.

I suggest using login method #1 at all times.

4. It will take you to a login page (right) and automatically input your unique key into the terminal (left).

5. Press Enter to complete your setup.

6. Setup is now complete and you’re ready to go!

Initialising Claude Code

Type into Claude Code

/init

This will create a .claude folder with a configuration file about this project. It will have all the settings for Claude.

We looked at how to set up Claude Code on IDE and launch Claude Code on our terminal. Now we are completely set up and ready to go!

Just remember, you only have to login and setup Claude Code once. Also, when you’re working on a new project, always create a new folder.

Follow my socials for more AI stuff 😛

• Link
• LinkedIn
• Threads
• X
• GitHub