Install the Desktop App: Step by Step

This lesson is entirely practical. By the end of it, Claude Code will be installed and open on your computer.

Follow each step in order. Do not skip ahead.

Before you start

You need a computer running macOS, Windows 10 or later, or Linux (Ubuntu 20.04 or later). You need an Anthropic account, which is free to create at claude.ai. And you need about 5 minutes.

Step 1: Download the App

Open your web browser and go to claude.com/download. The page will detect your operating system automatically. Click the download button for your system (Mac, Windows, or Linux) and wait for the file to finish downloading.

If you do not see a download button, make sure you are signed into your Anthropic account first. Go to claude.ai, sign in, then return to claude.com/download.

Step 2: Install the App

On Mac: find the downloaded file in your Downloads folder. It will be a .dmg file. Double-click to open it, drag the Claude icon into your Applications folder, then open your Applications folder and double-click Claude to launch it.

On Windows: find the downloaded .exe installer in your Downloads folder. Double-click to run it, click through the installation wizard (Next, Next, Install), then launch Claude from your Start menu or desktop shortcut.

On Linux: find the downloaded .deb or .AppImage file. For a .deb file, open your terminal and run "sudo dpkg -i claude-code-*.deb". For an .AppImage file, right-click it, go to Properties, make it executable, then double-click to run. Note: the Linux version may behave slightly differently from Mac and Windows in some areas.

Step 3: Sign In

Open the Claude Desktop App and click Sign In. Enter your Anthropic account email and password. If you do not have an account yet, click Create Account. It is free.

Claude Code requires an Anthropic account. A free account gets you started. A Pro or Max subscription gives you higher usage limits for heavier building sessions.

Step 4: Find Claude Code Inside the App

Once you are signed in, look for the Claude Code option inside the app. It may appear as a tab at the top of the interface, a button labelled "Code" in the sidebar, or an option when you start a new conversation. Click on it to open the Claude Code interface.

Step 5: Open a Project Folder

Claude Code works inside a project folder. Think of it as a workspace. All the files Claude creates will live in this folder.

Create a new folder on your Desktop and call it "my-first-build". In Claude Code, look for an Open Folder button or New Project option. Select the my-first-build folder you just created. Claude Code is now working inside that folder.

You are set up

If you can see the Claude Code interface with your my-first-build folder open, you are ready.

Do not type anything yet. The next two lessons will show you how to navigate the interface and then make your very first prompt.

Troubleshooting

"The app will not open on Mac": right-click the Claude icon, click Open, then click Open again in the security dialog that appears. This happens because macOS asks for confirmation the first time you open a downloaded app.

"I signed in but I cannot see the Claude Code section": make sure you have the latest version of the app. Go to the menu bar, click Help, then click Check for Updates.

"My download is taking too long": the installer is usually between 100 and 300 MB. If it seems stuck, cancel and try the download again.

"I do not see an Open Folder option": look for a folder icon or a Projects section in the sidebar. The exact layout may vary slightly between app versions.

Your action right now

✓ Download the app

✓ Install it

✓ Sign in

✓ Create a folder called my-first-build

✓ Open that folder in Claude Code

Once all five of those are done, move to the next lesson.