Getting Started with Claude Code

Claude Code is revolutionizing how developers work. Instead of switching between your editor and a chat window, you can now have Claude right in your terminal, understanding your codebase and making changes directly.

What is Claude Code?

Claude Code is Anthropic’s official CLI tool that brings Claude directly into your development workflow. It can:

• Read and understand your entire codebase
• Make edits to files directly
• Run commands in your terminal
• Search for code patterns and files
• Explain complex code sections
• Debug issues by analyzing error logs

Think of it as having a senior developer sitting next to you, but one who never gets tired and has read every programming book ever written.

Installation

Getting started is straightforward. You’ll need Node.js 18 or later installed.

npm install -g @anthropic/claude-code

Once installed, authenticate with your Anthropic account:

claude auth

This opens your browser to complete the OAuth flow. After authentication, you’re ready to go.

Your First Session

Navigate to any project directory and start a session:

cd your-project
claude

Claude will analyze your project structure and be ready to help. Try asking:

• “What does this project do?”
• “Find all the API endpoints”
• “Help me fix the bug in the login function”

Key Features

Codebase Understanding

Claude reads your files, understands the architecture, and remembers context throughout the session. Ask about any file:

> What's the structure of the auth module?

Direct Editing

Instead of copy-pasting code, Claude can edit files directly:

> Add input validation to the signup form

Claude will show you a diff and ask for confirmation before making changes.

Terminal Integration

Need to run tests? Install dependencies? Claude can do it:

> Run the test suite and fix any failures

Multi-file Refactoring

Complex refactors that span multiple files are no problem:

> Rename the User class to Account across the entire project

Best Practices

Be Specific

The more context you provide, the better the results:

> Fix the type error in src/utils/parser.ts on line 45

Let Claude Explore

If you’re not sure where something is, let Claude search:

> Find where we handle payment webhooks

Review Changes

Always review the diffs before confirming. Claude is good, but you know your codebase best.

What’s Next?

Now that you’re up and running, explore these advanced topics:

• Setting up project-specific instructions with CLAUDE.md
• Using hooks to automate common tasks
• Integrating with your CI/CD pipeline

Claude Code transforms how you write software. The key is to think of it as a conversation with a knowledgeable colleague who happens to be able to edit code for you.

Happy coding!