Step-by-step instructions for complete beginners. Mac and Windows. If you can copy and paste, you can do this. No coding experience needed.
Claude Code is an AI assistant that lives in your computer's terminal (the black screen where you type commands). You tell it what you want in plain English, and it builds it for you. It writes code, creates files, sets up automations, and deploys your AI employees. Think of it as a developer you can talk to.
There are 5 steps. Each one is short. Follow them in order. Don't skip ahead.
You need two things before installing Claude Code. If you already have these, skip to Step 1.
Node.js is what makes Claude Code work on your computer. You only install this once.
Open your terminal (instructions below) and type this command, then press Enter:
node --version
If you see a number like v18.17.0 or higher, you already have it. Skip to Step 2. If you see "command not found" or an error, keep reading.
How to open the Terminal on Mac:
Command + Space to open Spotlight SearchOption A: Download from the website (easiest)
.pkg file.Option B: Install via Homebrew (if you have it)
If you've used Homebrew before, you can run this in Terminal instead:
brew install node
If you don't know what Homebrew is, use Option A.
Verify it worked:
node --version v22.x.x # You should see a version number npm --version 10.x.x # npm comes with Node.js
How to open the Terminal on Windows:
Windows key on your keyboardClaude Code runs best on Windows with WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux). This sounds scary, but it's just a one-line install. It gives you a Linux environment inside Windows, which is what Claude Code prefers. We'll set this up in the next section.
Step 1a: Install WSL (one command)
Open PowerShell as Administrator (right-click PowerShell > "Run as administrator"), then type:
wsl --install
This installs Ubuntu (a Linux system) inside your Windows. It will ask you to restart your computer. Do it.
Step 1b: Set up Ubuntu
Step 1c: Install Node.js inside WSL
In your Ubuntu terminal, run these commands one at a time:
# Update the system sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y # Install Node.js curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_22.x | sudo -E bash - sudo apt install -y nodejs
Verify it worked:
node --version v22.x.x npm --version 10.x.x
Whenever this guide says "open your terminal," open Ubuntu (search "Ubuntu" in the Start menu), not PowerShell. This is your workspace for Claude Code.
One command. That's it.
Open your terminal (Terminal on Mac, Ubuntu on Windows) and run:
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
This downloads and installs Claude Code globally on your computer. You'll see a bunch of text scrolling. Wait until it finishes (usually 30-60 seconds).
Run it with sudo in front:
sudo npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
It will ask for your computer password. Type it and press Enter. (You won't see characters as you type. That's normal.)
Verify it installed:
claude --version claude-code/2.x.x # You should see a version number
If you see a version number, Claude Code is installed. If you see "command not found," close your terminal, reopen it, and try again.
Installation not working? Errors everywhere?
Don't waste hours Googling. Get a setup call and we'll screen share and get it installed in 10 minutes.
Get a Setup Call - $197 →In your terminal, type:
claude
Press Enter. Claude Code will start up.
First time? It will ask you to sign in:
You'll see something like this:
╭──────────────────────────────────────────╮ │ Claude Code │ │ │ │ Ready to help. What would you like to │ │ work on? │ ╰──────────────────────────────────────────╯ > Type here...
That's it. Claude Code is running. You can now type in plain English and it will respond.
Type: what can you help me with? and press Enter. Claude will explain all its capabilities. You're talking to your AI developer.
Claude Code is running but you're not sure what to do next?
Get a setup call and we'll build your first AI employee together, live on screen share. You'll have it deployed before the call ends.
Get a Setup Call - $197 →You don't need to learn coding. You just need to know these 5 things:
Open your terminal and type claude. That's it. Every time.
claude
Just type what you want in plain English. Be specific about what you need.
# Good examples: > Create an OpenClaw agent that answers customer messages and captures their name, email, and phone number > Set up a follow-up email automation that sends a personalized email 60 seconds after a form submission > Help me connect Twilio to OpenClaw so my AI employee can send text messages > Write a system prompt for an AI receptionist for a dental office called Bright Smiles
When Claude Code wants to create a file, run a command, or make a change, it will ask you first. You'll see a prompt like:
Claude wants to create file: receptionist-agent.yaml Allow? (y/n)
Type y for yes or n for no. You're always in control. It never does anything without your permission.
Before starting Claude Code, navigate to the folder where you want your files. Think of this as opening the right drawer before asking your assistant to file something.
# Mac: Create a folder for your AI employee project mkdir ~/ai-employee cd ~/ai-employee claude # Windows (Ubuntu): Same thing mkdir ~/ai-employee cd ~/ai-employee claude
mkdir = make a new folder. cd = go into that folder. claude = start Claude Code in that folder.
Type /exit or press Ctrl + C to quit Claude Code. Your work is saved. You can come back anytime by running claude again in the same folder.
Now the fun part. You're going to ask Claude Code to build your first AI employee. Copy and paste this into Claude Code:
Paste this into Claude Code:
> I want to set up an AI follow-up agent for my business called [YOUR BUSINESS NAME]. When a new lead fills out a form on my website, I want the AI to: 1. Send them a personalized email within 60 seconds 2. Send them an SMS text message 3. Log their info in a Google Sheet 4. Follow up again on Day 1, Day 3, and Day 5 if they don't respond My business does [WHAT YOU DO]. My booking link is [YOUR CAL.COM LINK]. Help me set this up step by step using OpenClaw.
Replace the [brackets] with your real info. Claude Code will walk you through the entire setup.
Paste this into Claude Code:
> I want to set up an AI receptionist for my business called [YOUR BUSINESS NAME]. It should: 1. Answer messages on Telegram, WhatsApp, and SMS 2. Greet people warmly and ask what they need help with 3. Collect their name, email, and phone number 4. Offer to book an appointment using my Cal.com link: [YOUR LINK] 5. Log every conversation in a Google Sheet My business is a [YOUR INDUSTRY] and our main services are [LIST SERVICES]. Help me set this up using OpenClaw. Start from scratch, I'm a beginner.
It will create the files, write the configs, build the prompts, and tell you exactly what to do at each step. If something goes wrong, just tell it "that didn't work" and it will troubleshoot. You're having a conversation, not writing code.
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code again.sudo before the command. Example: sudo npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code. Enter your Mac password when prompted. You won't see characters as you type. That's normal.npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code. It will update to the latest version automatically.Print this or screenshot it. These are the only commands you need to remember.
# Start Claude Code claude # Go to your project folder first (do this before starting claude) cd ~/ai-employee # Create a new folder mkdir folder-name # See what's in your current folder ls # Exit Claude Code /exit # Update Claude Code npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code # Check your Node.js version node --version # Check your Claude Code version claude --version
Claude Code is installed. You know how to launch it, talk to it, and build with it. Head to the AI Employee Templates guide and start deploying your first AI employee. Tell Claude Code what you want to build and let it handle the rest.
Want the fast track? Skip the DIY completely.
Get a setup call and we'll deploy your AI employee end-to-end. Claude Code setup, OpenClaw config, all channels connected. Done in one session.
Get a Setup Call - $197 →