Install Claude Code on Mac

Quick answer. The easiest way to set up Claude Code on a Mac is the free app Set Up Your Mac for Claude Code, which installs Claude Code and the developer tools it needs and verifies it works. If you're a developer with Homebrew installed, to install just the CLI yourself, run one Homebrew command:

brew install --cask claude-code@latest

Then run claude inside a project to start it. ✓ Every command verified on macOS 26.5, 2026-06-26, arm64.

Download the app "Set Up Your Mac for Claude Code"

This page covers Claude Code, the command-line coding tool you run with the claude command. For the graphical Claude Desktop app, see Claude Code vs Claude Desktop.

Before you install: Claude Code needs a developer environment — a terminal, Homebrew, the Xcode Command Line Tools, git, and a paid Claude plan. If your Mac isn't set up for development, see Prerequisites for Claude Code, or let the app above set it all up.

Install with Homebrew (recommended)

brew install --cask claude-code@latest

Homebrew is the recommended method for developers: one command, and the same brew upgrade path as the rest of your tools. Homebrew installs do not auto-update — see Update Claude Code. For the Homebrew details (release channels, auto-update, uninstall), see Brew Install Claude Code.

Start Claude Code and sign in

cd your-project

claude

The first launch opens your browser to sign in. Claude Code requires a paid Claude plan (Pro, Max, Team, or Enterprise) or an Anthropic Console / API account; the free Claude.ai plan does not include it.

Verify the install

claude --version

For a fuller check (install path, config, last update, Keychain):

claude doctor

✓ Every command verified on macOS 26.5, 2026-06-26, arm64.

If claude is not found, see command not found: claude.

Download the app "Set Up Your Mac for Claude Code"

Other install methods

• Native installer (no Homebrew): curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash installs to ~/.local/bin/claude and auto-updates in the background. Open a new terminal window afterward.
• npm works but is not recommended (it adds a Node.js dependency): npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code (needs Node.js 18+; never use sudo).

Sources

• Claude Code setup — https://code.claude.com/docs/en/setup
• Homebrew — https://brew.sh