Get Claude Code installed and run your first real session — step-by-step guide, no tech experience needed.
You need three things:
That's it. You do not need to know how to code. You do not need any technical background. Just follow the steps below exactly as written.
| If you... | Use this option |
|---|---|
| Want the simplest possible setup | Option 1: VS Code Extension |
| Already use VS Code | Option 1: VS Code Extension |
| Are comfortable with a terminal | Option 2: Command Line |
For most people on this team: Option 1.
VS Code is a free text editor made by Microsoft. Even if you've never used it, it takes 2 minutes to install.
Go to this address in your browser: code.visualstudio.com
Click the big blue "Download" button. It will automatically detect if you're on Windows or Mac.
Once downloaded, run the installer. Click "Next" through everything — the defaults are fine.
Find VS Code in your Start Menu (Windows) or Applications folder (Mac) and open it.
You'll see a screen like this when it opens — a dark editor with a sidebar on the left. That's normal.
Look at the left sidebar in VS Code. You'll see a column of icons. Click the one that looks like four squares (it's called "Extensions").
In the search box that appears, type: Claude Code
You'll see a result from Anthropic. Click the blue Install button.
After installing, a Claude icon will appear in the left sidebar. Click it.
A sign-in page will open — use the same email and password you use for claude.ai.
That's it. Claude Code is now installed.
If you already know what a terminal is and you're comfortable using one:
On Mac — open Terminal and paste this:
curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash
On Windows — open PowerShell and paste this:
irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex
Then type claude and press Enter to start.
Once Claude Code is open, try this. It takes 3 minutes and will show you exactly what makes Claude Code different from Claude Chat.
In VS Code, go to File → Open Folder at the top menu.
Pick any folder on your computer. It can be a folder with documents, a project folder, anything with some files in it. If you don't have anything specific, create a new empty folder on your Desktop and open that.
In the Claude Code chat box, type this exactly:
"Look at what's in this folder and tell me what you see. Then suggest 3 things you could help me do with it."
Press Enter and wait.
Claude will read the files in your folder — without you uploading anything — and give you specific suggestions based on what it actually found.
This is the key difference from Claude Chat. Claude Chat works with what you type. Claude Code works with your actual files on your computer.
Type this:
"Create a new file called notes.md and write a brief summary of what's in this folder."
Now open your folder in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac). Look — there's a new file there. Claude created it. On your computer. Without you doing anything else.
That's Claude Code.
"I can't find the Extensions icon in VS Code"
Look for a square icon on the left sidebar, or press Ctrl+Shift+X (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+X (Mac).
"I signed in but don't see the Claude icon"
Close VS Code completely and reopen it. The icon should appear after restart.
"Claude says it can't access my files"
Make sure you opened a folder first (File → Open Folder) before trying to chat. Claude Code needs to know which folder it's working in.
"It seems stuck / not responding"
Press Escape to stop Claude. Then try your message again with simpler instructions.
Still stuck? Take a screenshot and send it to Prime. Don't spend more than 5 minutes troubleshooting on your own.
| Key | What it does |
|---|---|
Escape |
Stop Claude immediately |
Shift+Tab |
Switch between Normal mode and Auto mode |
Normal mode (the default): Claude asks your approval before making any changes. Always start here.
Auto mode: Claude works without asking each time. Use this once you're comfortable and you trust what it's doing.
Next lesson: CLAUDE.md — the file that makes Claude remember everything about how you work.
HivePowered AI — AI Like a Pro Training