This is pretty common to have different options to install binaries and I assume part of the reason why they do have the second option is to gear towards to non-developers or those unfamiliar with nodejs. Most developers familiar with nodejs would use option 1, `npm install` is as easy as it gets. Usually with nodejs, developers work in many different projects with many nodejs versions. So it's common to manage multiple nodejs environments (with something like nvm or asdf). This is how we avoid installing packages in system folders (which requires sudo). I encourage you to ask Claude honestly, you'll get some pretty good answers. Everything is done in good intentions. Answer from sirneb on reddit.com
Claude
docs.claude.com › en › docs › claude-code › setup
Set up Claude Code
Do NOT use sudo npm install -g as this can lead to permission issues and security risks.
npm
npmjs.com › package › @anthropic-ai › claude-code
@anthropic-ai/claude-code - npm
2 days ago - Install Claude Code: npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code · Navigate to your project directory and run claude. We welcome your feedback. Use the /bug command to report issues directly within Claude Code, or file a GitHub issue.
» npm install @anthropic-ai/claude-code
Published Dec 22, 2025
Version 2.0.76
Author Anthropic
Repository https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code
New to Claude Code - why are there 3 different ways to install this thing?
This is pretty common to have different options to install binaries and I assume part of the reason why they do have the second option is to gear towards to non-developers or those unfamiliar with nodejs. Most developers familiar with nodejs would use option 1, `npm install` is as easy as it gets. Usually with nodejs, developers work in many different projects with many nodejs versions. So it's common to manage multiple nodejs environments (with something like nvm or asdf). This is how we avoid installing packages in system folders (which requires sudo). I encourage you to ask Claude honestly, you'll get some pretty good answers. Everything is done in good intentions. More on reddit.com
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August 27, 2025Don't forget to update your Claude CLI! It makes a huge difference
u can enable auto update. only thing is you have to restart the chat. you can continue from where you left off with `claude -c` More on reddit.com
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June 11, 2025Remove claude code cli on mac
npm uninstall -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code bun uninstall -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code rm -rf $HOME/.bun/bin/claude rm -rf $HOME/.bun/bin/../install/global/node_modules/@anthropic-ai rm -f $HOME/.npm-global/bin/claude rm -rf $HOME/.local/share/claude rm ~/.claude.json rm -rf ~/.claude/ rm -rf $HOME/.local/share/claude rm ~/.claude.json rm -rf ~/.claude/ # check which claude # → not found ls ~/.claude* # → not exist # to reinstall brew install --cask claude-code https://docs.yemreak.com/claude-code/remove-claude-code-macos More on reddit.com
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September 2, 2025How to Install and Use Claude Code, Maybe the Best AI Coding Tool Right Now?
I think better comparison would be something like aider. How does it compare with it? More on reddit.com
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February 26, 2025Videos
How to Install Claude Code (for beginners) - YouTube
04:53
How to Get Started With Claude Code in 5 Minutes - YouTube
04:18
How to Install And Use Claude Code - YouTube
13:48
**UPDATED 2026** Claude Code Tutorial #1 - Intro & Setup - YouTube
10:11
Claude Code Tutorial #1 - Introduction & Setup - YouTube
08:10
Getting Started With Claude Code: Introducing and Installing - YouTube
Reddit
reddit.com › r/claudeai › new to claude code - why are there 3 different ways to install this thing?
r/ClaudeAI on Reddit: New to Claude Code - why are there 3 different ways to install this thing?
August 27, 2025 -
Hey everyone, I'm new to Claude Code and just spent an hour in installation hell. I'm on a Mac
So apparently, there are THREE ways to install this:
npm install:
npm install -gu/anthropic-ai/claude-codeDocs say this is "standard installation"
Gets a permission denied error
Docs then warn "DO NOT use sudo"
curl installer:
curl -fsSLhttps://claude.ai/install.sh| bashCalled "beta" but actually works
Buried in a random troubleshooting article
Installs to
~/.local/bin(need to fix PATH)
sudo npm: sudo npm install -g u/anthropic-ai/claude-code
What actually makes npm work
But docs specifically say DON'T do this
"Security risks" apparently
How did you all install this?
Also, why do they recommend npm when they literally have a note saying "Claude Code has a native installation that doesn't depend on npm" - THEN MAKE THAT THE DEFAULT??
I'm not even mad, this is hilarious. Just want to know if I'm missing something obvious here
Top answer 1 of 3
4
This is pretty common to have different options to install binaries and I assume part of the reason why they do have the second option is to gear towards to non-developers or those unfamiliar with nodejs. Most developers familiar with nodejs would use option 1, `npm install` is as easy as it gets. Usually with nodejs, developers work in many different projects with many nodejs versions. So it's common to manage multiple nodejs environments (with something like nvm or asdf). This is how we avoid installing packages in system folders (which requires sudo). I encourage you to ask Claude honestly, you'll get some pretty good answers. Everything is done in good intentions.
2 of 3
1
This is normal
Substack
designwithai.substack.com › p › how-to-install-claude-code
How to install Claude Code - Design with AI
October 2, 2025 - Guide to installing Claude Code: Simple steps, troubleshooting tips, and solutions if you run into errors.
npm
npmjs.com › package › claude-ai
claude-ai - npm
June 13, 2025 - This is not the official Claude Code package. Latest version: 1.2.3, last published: 5 months ago. Start using claude-ai in your project by running `npm i claude-ai`. There are no other projects in the npm registry using claude-ai.
» npm install claude-ai
Bind AI IDE
blog.getbind.co › 2025 › 08 › 26 › how-to-install-claude-code-cli
How to Install Claude Code CLI – Bind AI IDE
August 27, 2025 - If you encounter permissions errors, consider using a user-local npm directory (npm documentation covers these details). Alternatively, for a fast and dependency-free installation: Open Terminal. Enter: bash curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash · This script auto-downloads and installs the latest stable release of Claude Code CLI.
Medium
medium.com › @lvalics_37568 › setting-up-claude-code-on-windows-macos-449eed161e10
Setting up Claude Code on Windows & macOS | by Valics Lehel | Medium
June 20, 2025 - npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code claude · First-run checklist · Verify CLI version claude --version · Initialise repo map (creates CLAUDE.md) claude init · Try a sample prompt claude "Write me an MVP snake game in Python" Show token ...
iTechs Online
itecsonline.com › post › how-to-install-claude-code-on-ubuntu-linux-complete-guide-2025
How to Install Claude Code on Ubuntu Linux: Complete Guide 2025 | Blog // ITECS
July 30, 2025 - To avoid permission issues, set up npm to install global packages in your user directory: ... Important: Do NOT use sudo when installing Claude Code. This can lead to permission issues and security risks.
Anthropic
anthropic.com › engineering › claude-code-best-practices
Claude Code: Best practices for agentic coding
There’s no required format for CLAUDE.md files. We recommend keeping them concise and human-readable. For example: # Bash commands - npm run build: Build the project - npm run typecheck: Run the typechecker # Code style - Use ES modules (import/export) syntax, not CommonJS (require) - Destructure imports when possible (eg.
ClaudeLog
claudelog.com › home › install
Install Claude Code | ClaudeLog
November 11, 2025 - Claude Code supports the following operating systems: ... Note: The native installer does not require Node.js. Only the legacy npm installation method requires Node.js 18.0+.
KDnuggets
kdnuggets.com › top-5-agentic-coding-cli-tools
Top 5 Agentic Coding CLI Tools - KDnuggets
November 13, 2025 - npm install -g @openai/codex · I have started using it because it is an almost free tool for me to access the latest OpenAI Codex and GPT-5 models. After Claude Code and Droid, I think I will continue using it for my projects.
Buildwithclaude
buildwithclaude.com › docs › cli
CLI Tool - Claude Code Subagents & Commands Collection
# Search for testing-related tools bwc search test # Add multiple items interactively bwc add # Select "Subagent" # Select category or "All" # Use SPACE to select multiple items # Press ENTER to install all ... # .github/workflows/setup.yml - name: Install bwc CLI run: npm install -g bwc-cli - ...
Z
docs.z.ai › scenario-example › develop-tools › claude
Claude Code - Overview - Z.AI DEVELOPER DOCUMENT
# Install Claude Code npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code # Navigate to your project cd your-awesome-project # Complete claude
npm
npmjs.com › package › @schuettc › claude-code-setup
@schuettc/claude-code-setup - npm
August 4, 2025 - ... # Install the package npm install -g @schuettc/claude-code-setup # Initialize Claude Code in your project (interactive) claude-setup init # Or initialize with defaults claude-setup init --quick # List installed plugins and their contents ...
» npm install @schuettc/claude-code-setup
Published Aug 04, 2025
Version 0.17.0
Author Court Schuett
Medium
drlee.io › let-claude-code-write-your-next-app-in-minutes-yes-on-windows-7e40a5e29db6
Let Claude Code Write Your Next App in Minutes (Yes, on Windows) | by Dr. Ernesto Lee | Nov, 2025 | Medium
November 15, 2025 - The Micro-Why: Claude Code is built on Node.js infrastructure. Without Node, the installation script has nothing to work with. Think of Node as the foundation and Claude Code as the house. You need an active Claude account before the CLI will authenticate.
Claude
claude.com › product › claude-code
Claude Code - AI coding agent for terminal & IDE | Claude
1 month ago - ⏺ Bash(cd /Users/claude-code/codebase && npm run lint)…