Lesson 5 of 8

Step 2 — Install Node.js and Claude Code

Two commands and you're nearly done.

2 min read· ~10 min to complete

With Homebrew in place, installing Node.js and Claude Code is straightforward. You'll run two commands.

Install Node.js

Node.js is what runs JavaScript code on your computer. Many of the apps you'll build use it.

brew install node

This takes 1–3 minutes. When you see the % prompt again, it's done.

Install Claude Code

npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

This downloads and installs the Claude Code command-line tool.

Start Claude Code for the first time

claude

This opens Claude Code and walks you through logging in with your Anthropic account. Follow the on-screen prompts — it will open your browser to complete authentication.

When you're done and back in Terminal, Claude Code is ready.

If you see Claude's greeting in Terminal, the install worked. You're now talking to an AI that can read and write files on your Mac.

A quick test

Try typing this into Claude Code:

What tools are installed on this Mac?

Claude Code will run a few commands and report what it finds. Type /exit and press Enter to close it for now — the next lesson uses Claude Code to finish the setup automatically.

Verify the installs (optional)

If you want to double-check everything is in order before continuing:

node --version

Should return v20.x.x or higher.

claude --version

Should return a version number.