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Learn to install Claude Code correctly with this step-by-step tutorial. Fix npm permission errors, configure PATH, and resolve 'command not found' issues in 15-25 minutes with proven solutions.
This tutorial teaches you to install Claude Code without permission errors in 15-25 minutes. You'll learn platform-specific installation methods, fix npm EACCES errors, and configure PATH correctly. Perfect for developers encountering common installation issues.
Master Claude Code installation without encountering common npm permission errors. By completion, you'll have Claude Code running in your terminal and understand PATH configuration fundamentals. This guide covers multiple installation methods, PATH configurations, and real-world troubleshooting scenarios.
Prerequisites: Basic terminal knowledge
Time Required: 15-25 minutes active work
Tools Needed: Node.js 18+, Terminal, Browser
Outcome: Working Claude Code installation with proper PATH
Skills and knowledge you'll master in this tutorial
Master native curl installer for macOS and Linux. Configure WSL2 properly for Windows systems.
Fix EACCES errors without using sudo. Create user-level npm directories permanently.
Configure shell-specific PATH correctly. Debug 'command not found' errors systematically.
Use Volta or NVM for clean isolation. Prevent Node.js version conflicts completely.
Follow these steps to install Claude Code without permission errors
# Check Node.js version
node --version
# Should output: v18.0.0 or higher
# Verify npm is installed
npm --version
# Expected output: 8.0.0 or higher
# Create npm global directory
mkdir ~/.npm-global
# Configure npm to use it
npm config set prefix '~/.npm-global'
# Add to PATH (for bash)
echo 'export PATH=~/.npm-global/bin:$PATH' >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc
# Native installer (recommended)
curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash
# Alternative: npm installation
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
# Verify installation
claude --version
# For Zsh (macOS)
echo 'export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.zprofile
source ~/.zprofile
# For Bash (Linux)
echo 'export PATH="$HOME/.npm-global/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc
# Verify PATH
echo $PATH | grep -E '(npm-global|.local)'
# Run diagnostics
claude doctor
# Test basic functionality
claude
# Should open authentication in browser
# Check installation location
which claude
# Should show: /home/user/.npm-global/bin/claude
# Navigate to project
cd ~/your-project
# Start Claude Code
claude
# Authenticate via browser
# Select Claude Console option
# Test with simple command
# Type: "Read package.json and summarize"
Understanding these concepts ensures you can adapt this tutorial to your specific needs and troubleshoot issues effectively.
Essential knowledge for mastering this tutorial
npm tries to install global packages in system directories by default. System directories require root access that npm shouldn't have. This creates EACCES errors affecting many installations.
Key benefits of user directories:
See how to apply this tutorial in different contexts
Scenario: Fresh Ubuntu installation with no Node.js
# Install Node.js first
curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_20.x | sudo -E bash -
sudo apt install -y nodejs
# Configure npm directory
mkdir ~/.npm-global
npm config set prefix '~/.npm-global'
echo 'export PATH=~/.npm-global/bin:$PATH' >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc
# Install Claude Code
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
# Expected result:
# claude command available globally
// Verify installation programmatically
const { execSync } = require('child_process');
try {
const version = execSync('claude --version').toString();
console.log('Claude Code installed:', version);
} catch (error) {
console.error('Installation failed:', error.message);
}
Outcome: Working Claude Code installation in 10 minutes without permission errors
Scenario: macOS with Homebrew and multiple Node versions
// Install with Volta for version management
interface InstallConfig {
nodeVersion: string;
claudeVersion?: string;
autoUpdate: boolean;
}
const config: InstallConfig = {
nodeVersion: '20.11.0',
claudeVersion: 'latest',
autoUpdate: true
};
// Installation script
const installCommands = [
'curl https://get.volta.sh | bash',
'volta install node@20',
'volta install @anthropic-ai/claude-code'
];
# Fix Homebrew symlink issues
brew unlink node
brew link --overwrite node
# Create manual symlink if needed
ln -sf /opt/homebrew/bin/claude /usr/local/bin/claude
# Add to Zsh profile
echo 'export PATH="/opt/homebrew/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.zprofile
source ~/.zprofile
# Verify with full path
/opt/homebrew/bin/claude --version
Outcome: Clean installation with version isolation and Homebrew compatibility
Scenario: Windows 11 with WSL2 Ubuntu integration
# WSL2 configuration
workflow:
name: claude-code-wsl
steps:
- name: install-wsl
run: |
wsl --install -d Ubuntu
wsl --set-version Ubuntu 2
- name: configure-nodejs
run: |
# Inside WSL
sudo apt update
sudo apt install nodejs npm
- name: install-claude
run: |
mkdir ~/.npm-global
npm config set prefix '~/.npm-global'
export PATH="$HOME/.npm-global/bin:$PATH"
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
Outcome: Windows integration with 100% Unix compatibility for Claude Code
Issue 1: EACCES permission denied to /usr/local/lib
Solution: Never use sudo. Reconfigure npm prefix to ~/.npm-global directory. This fixes the root cause permanently.
Issue 2: claude: command not found after installation
Solution: Add npm global bin to PATH. Source your shell config file immediately.
Issue 3: Update installed. Restart to apply loop
Solution: Run claude migrate-installer command. Switches to native installer with working auto-updates.
Performance Optimization: Consider pinning to a stable version for consistent performance. Test newer versions in development first.
Security Best Practice: Always configure API keys as environment variables. Never commit keys to version control.
Scalability Pattern: Use Volta for team installations. Provides automatic version switching and improved shell startup.
How to verify your implementation works correctly
claude --version returns version number within 1 second
claude doctor shows all green checks without warnings
Browser opens for OAuth when running claude command
Claude reads local files without permission errors
Common questions about advancing from this tutorial
Essential commands and concepts from this tutorial
Native installer that handles updates automatically
Sets user directory for global packages permanently
Adds npm global binaries to shell PATH
Verifies installation and shows current version
Comprehensive system and dependency check
Applies PATH changes without terminal restart
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View ResourceProduction-ready setup with CLAUDE.md files. Configure Claude Code for team usage.
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View ResourceComplete Windows Subsystem for Linux setup. Unix environment on Windows machines.
View ResourceUser-submitted solutions and platform variations. Learn from community experiences.
View ResourceCongratulations! You've mastered Claude Code installation without permission errors.
What you achieved:
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Last updated: September 2025 | Found this helpful? Share it with developers struggling with Claude Code installation and explore more Claude tutorials.
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