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
npm
npmjs.com › package › @anthropic-ai › claude-code
@anthropic-ai/claude-code - npm
3 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 20, 2025
Version 2.0.75
Author Anthropic
Repository https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code
Claude
code.claude.com › docs › en › setup
Set up Claude Code - Claude Code Docs
Uninstall Claude Code · Native installation · Homebrew installation · NPM installation · Clean up configuration files (optional) Administration · Copy page · Install, authenticate, and start using Claude Code on your development machine. Copy page · Operating Systems: macOS 10.15+, Ubuntu 20.04+/Debian 10+, or Windows 10+ (with WSL 1, WSL 2, or Git for Windows) Hardware: 4 GB+ RAM ·
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, 2025NPM installation vs Binary setup for Claude Code - which do you prefer?
I’m wondering about different ways to install Claude Code and what works best for everyone. There are two main options available right now. You can either use the regular npm package manager installation or try out the newer binary setup that’s still in beta testing. More on community.latenode.com
0
August 1, 2025Bug: claude command not found after npm install -g on macOS with Homebrew due to incorrect symlink
Description When installing @anthropic-ai/claude-code globally via npm on macOS (with Node.js installed via Homebrew), the claude command is not correctly added to the PATH. The installation create... More on github.com
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Claude codeoverview on npm is the most phenomenal thing in AI yet
Did you use AI to write this post? First, there's no such thing as "codeoverview". It's just called "Claude Code". The npm package is @anthropic-ai/claude-code. The page you linked to is an overview of the Claude Code app. Second, it's not nearly as world -changing as you describe. It does what other AI code tools do, but with a more streamlined UI (and by UI I mean the command line interface it provides). You'll still get the same overall results you get with Aider, Cursor, etc. It's great for toy projects and bootstrapping, but not so much for large complex projects. More on reddit.com
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May 2, 2025Videos
08:10
Getting Started With Claude Code: Introducing and Installing - YouTube
10:11
Claude Code Tutorial #1 - Introduction & Setup - YouTube
04:53
How to Get Started With Claude Code in 5 Minutes - YouTube
13:48
**UPDATED 2026** Claude Code Tutorial #1 - Intro & Setup - YouTube
04:18
How to Install And Use Claude Code - YouTube
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.
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
Eesel AI
eesel.ai › blog › npm-install-claude-code
A guide to `npm install claude-code`: Features, limitations, and alternatives - eesel AI
November 14, 2025 - Learn how `npm install claude-code` works and explore its powerful features. We'll also cover the hidden costs and limitations of agentic coding tools and suggest a more integrated approach.
phpFashion
phpfashion.com › en › how-to-install-claude-code-beginners-guide
How to Install Claude Code: A Beginner's Guide » phpFashion
Fedora: sudo dnf install nodejs ... let's install Claude Code itself. In your command line interface, enter: npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code ·...
Micro
novistopheles.micro.blog › 2025 › 10 › 21 › installing-claude-codeedited.html
Installing Claude Code | Novistopheles
October 21, 2025 - If you need to install Node.js on your Mac, you might use Homebrew or download from nodejs.org. For example, type the following in your Terminal: ... You want Node ≥ 20. ... On first run, you’ll be prompted to login/authenticate with your Anthropic account. You should now have Claude Code running in a Terminal window! Get ready because soon we’re going to have some fun. On macOS (especially with Homebrew & npm global installs), there have been reports of the claude command not being found after installation—due to symlink issues with Homebrew directories.
Anthropic
anthropic.com › engineering › claude-code-best-practices
Claude Code: Best practices for agentic coding
April 18, 2025 - 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 ...
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+.
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.
Latenode
community.latenode.com › other questions › npm
NPM installation vs Binary setup for Claude Code - which do you prefer? - NPM - Latenode Official Community
August 1, 2025 - I’m wondering about different ways to install Claude Code and what works best for everyone. There are two main options available right now. You can either use the regular npm package manager installation or try out the newer binary setup that’s still in beta testing.
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 build)…
YouTube
youtube.com › watch
How to Install Claude Code (for beginners) - YouTube
Join Ai Foundations: https://www.skool.com/ai-foundationsIn today's guide I show you how to quickly install and use claude code for a total beginner. I'm usi...
Published July 28, 2025
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 | ITECS Blog
July 30, 2025 - This comprehensive guide walks you through installing Anthropic's Claude Code AI assistant on Ubuntu Linux. You'll learn how to properly configure Node.js and npm, authenticate with the Anthropic API, and start using this powerful AI coding tool in your development workflow.
GitHub
github.com › anthropics › claude-code › issues › 3172
Bug: claude command not found after npm install -g on macOS with Homebrew due to incorrect symlink · Issue #3172 · anthropics/claude-code
July 8, 2025 - Install the Claude Code CLI globally: npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code.
Published Jul 08, 2025
Reddit
reddit.com › r/claudeai › claude codeoverview on npm is the most phenomenal thing in ai yet
r/ClaudeAI on Reddit: Claude codeoverview on npm is the most phenomenal thing in AI yet
May 2, 2025 -
read it here
have been using it for 10 mins... this will change the world!
Top answer 1 of 4
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Did you use AI to write this post? First, there's no such thing as "codeoverview". It's just called "Claude Code". The npm package is @anthropic-ai/claude-code. The page you linked to is an overview of the Claude Code app. Second, it's not nearly as world -changing as you describe. It does what other AI code tools do, but with a more streamlined UI (and by UI I mean the command line interface it provides). You'll still get the same overall results you get with Aider, Cursor, etc. It's great for toy projects and bootstrapping, but not so much for large complex projects.
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It's amazing, it's like being in the future, like having a glimpse at what coding tools will be like 6 months from now. It's also insanely expensive to use. I had days at over $70. I've since switched to using cursor's agent mode, which isn't as good, but getting closer day by day (and massively less expensive). And also sometimes roo.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/chatgptcoding › how to install and use claude code, maybe the best ai coding tool right now?
r/ChatGPTCoding on Reddit: How to Install and Use Claude Code, Maybe the Best AI Coding Tool Right Now?
February 26, 2025 -
Hey everyone,
Since Claude Code has been around for a while now and many of us are already familiar with Claude Sonnet 3.7, I wanted to share a quick step-by-step guide for those who haven’t had time to explore it yet.
This guide sums up everything you need to know about Claude Code, including:
How to install and set it up
The benefits and when to use it
A demo of its capabilities in action
Some Claude Code essential commands
I think Claude Code is a better alternative to coding assistants like Cursor and Bolt, especially for developers who want an AI that really understands the entire codebase instead of just suggesting lines.
https://medium.com/p/how-to-install-and-use-claude-code-the-new-agentic-coding-tool-d03fd7f677bc?source=social.tw