WHAT IS CLAUDE CODE?
Claude Code is Anthropic's agentic coding tool. Unlike Claude.ai (the chat interface), Claude Code runs in your terminal and can write, read, edit, and execute code autonomously. It's not just an autocomplete — it can plan and implement multi-step tasks across your entire codebase.
INSTALLATION
Requirements: macOS, Linux, or Windows WSL. Node.js 18+ installed.
Step 1: Install via npm npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
Step 2: Navigate to your project cd your-project-folder
Step 3: Launch Claude Code claude
Step 4: Set your API key (first run) You'll need an Anthropic API key from console.anthropic.com
FIRST THINGS TO TRY
Once inside a project folder, try these commands:
"Explain what this codebase does and how it's structured." "Find all the places where user authentication is handled." "Add input validation to the signup form." "Write tests for the payment module." "Fix the bug causing the 500 error on the /api/users endpoint."
Claude Code reads your entire codebase first, then acts. It will show you what it plans to do and ask for confirmation before making changes.
WHAT CLAUDE CODE DOES BETTER THAN GITHUB COPILOT
- Works across multiple files simultaneously
- Can run code and fix errors in a loop
- Understands your entire project context, not just the open file
- Can write tests, documentation, and refactors — not just completions
- Works from the command line, so it integrates with any editor
REAL-WORLD USE CASES
Bug fixing: Describe the bug in plain English → Claude reads the relevant code, identifies the cause, proposes a fix, and implements it with your approval.
Feature building: "Add a dark mode toggle to the settings page" → Claude identifies what files need changing, writes the code, and wires it together.
Code review: "Review this PR for security vulnerabilities" → Claude reads the diff and gives specific, actionable feedback.
Refactoring: "Refactor the database layer to use async/await throughout" → Claude plans the changes, shows you the scope, then executes.
Documentation: "Write JSDoc comments for all exported functions" → Done across the entire codebase in minutes.
SAFETY CONTROLS
By default, Claude Code asks for permission before:
- Writing or modifying files
- Running commands
- Installing packages
You can adjust trust levels in settings, but the defaults are sensible for most users.
COST
Claude Code uses the Anthropic API. Typical usage costs $2-10 per session depending on codebase size and task complexity. Not cheap for heavy use, but often cheaper than the time it saves.
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