Getting Started with Claude Code: Your First AI-Powered Terminal Session
A beginner-friendly guide to setting up and using Claude Code for AI-assisted development.
What is Claude Code?
Claude Code is an AI-powered terminal interface that brings Claude's capabilities directly to your command line. It can read your codebase, understand context, write code, run commands, and help you build software faster than ever.
Prerequisites
Before getting started, make sure you have:
- Node.js 18+ installed on your machine
- An Anthropic API key (get one at console.anthropic.com)
- A terminal application (Terminal, iTerm, Windows Terminal, etc.)
Step 1: Install Claude Code
# Install globally via npm
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
Step 2: Set Your API Key
# Set your Anthropic API key
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="your-api-key-here"
Step 3: Start Your First Session
Navigate to your project directory and run Claude:
cd ~/my-project
claude
Your First Commands
Once Claude Code is running, try these starter prompts:
"Explain what this codebase does""Find all TODO comments""Create a new React component called UserProfile""Fix the TypeScript errors in src/utils.ts"
Tips for Better Results
- Be specific: "Add error handling to the login function" beats "fix login"
- Provide context: Tell Claude about your tech stack and conventions
- Review changes: Always review AI-generated code before committing
- Iterate: If the first result isn't perfect, provide feedback
Monitor Sessions Remotely with Bridge Terminal
Long-running Claude sessions can keep you tied to your desk. Bridge Terminal lets you monitor and control your sessions from your phone - get notified when Claude needs input, approve changes on the go, and never miss a critical moment.
Control Claude Code from Anywhere
Get Bridge Terminal and monitor your AI coding sessions on the go.
Download Bridge Terminal FreeBridge Terminal Team
AI Development Tools