Getting Started with Claude Code on Mac

What Costs Money and What Doesn't

This is important to understand upfront:

Bottom line: Everything in this guide is free to install. The only ongoing cost is using Claude Code itself, which requires a paid Anthropic plan. A typical working session costs $0.50 to $5.00. The Claude Max subscription gives you a fixed monthly rate instead of per-use pricing.

Where Your Files Live: Local vs GitHub

Local Files (Your Computer Only)

When you create a file on your Mac, it lives only on your computer. If your laptop dies, those files are gone. Nobody else can see them. This is "local" storage.

When you use Claude Code without setting up a git repository, everything stays local. Claude reads and writes files in whatever folder you're working in, and those files only exist on your machine.

Git Repositories (Version-Controlled, Optionally Shared)

A git repository (or "repo") is a folder where git tracks every change you make. Think of it like a detailed changelog — you can see what changed, when, and why. You can undo mistakes by going back to any previous version.

Public vs Private Repositories on GitHub

Important: Claude Code creates and modifies files on your computer locally. Nothing goes to GitHub until you explicitly "push" them. Claude will always ask before pushing. If you're working with sensitive information, be especially careful about which files go into a public repo.

When to Use What

• Just exploring / learning: Work locally, no repo needed.
• Personal project you want backed up: Create a private repo.
• Something you want to share: Create a public repo.
• Work for a company: Almost always a private repo.

Step 1: Open the Terminal

The Terminal is already on your Mac — no installation needed.

1. Press Command + Space to open Spotlight Search
2. Type Terminal
3. Press Enter

The terminal is just a way to give your computer instructions by typing instead of clicking. Every command in this guide is copy-paste safe.

Step 2: Install Homebrew FREE

Homebrew is the unofficial "app store" for developer tools on Mac.

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

It will ask for your Mac password. When you type it, nothing will appear on screen — that's a security feature. Just type it and press Enter.

Add Homebrew to your path (Apple Silicon Macs):

echo 'eval "$(/opt/homebrew/bin/brew shellenv)"' >> ~/.zprofile
eval "$(/opt/homebrew/bin/brew shellenv)"

Verify:

brew --version

Step 3: Install Node.js FREE

Claude Code runs on Node.js. Without it, Claude Code can't start.

brew install node

Verify:

node --version

Step 4: Install Git and GitHub CLI FREE

Git tracks changes to files. GitHub is where code lives online. The GitHub CLI lets Claude Code interact with GitHub.

brew install git gh

Set up Git:

git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "your.email@example.com"

This name and email will be attached to any changes you make. If you use public repos, this information will be visible.

Create a GitHub account:

Go to github.com and sign up. The free plan includes unlimited public and private repos.

Log into GitHub from Terminal:

gh auth login

1. Choose GitHub.com
2. Choose HTTPS
3. Choose Login with a web browser
4. Copy the one-time code, press Enter, paste in browser, authorize

Verify:

gh auth status

Step 5: Install Visual Studio Code FREE

VS Code is a free code editor with a built-in terminal, so you can see files AND run Claude Code in one window.

Option A: Download

Go to code.visualstudio.com and drag to Applications.

Option B: Homebrew

brew install --cask visual-studio-code

Install the Claude Code extension:

1. Open VS Code
2. Press Command + Shift + X to open Extensions
3. Search for "Claude Code" (by Anthropic)
4. Click Install

Enable the code command:

1. Press Command + Shift + P
2. Type "Shell Command: Install 'code' command in PATH"
3. Click it

Step 6: Install Claude Code PAID TO USE

npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

Launch for the first time:

claude

It will ask you to log into your Anthropic account. You'll need either:

• API credits — pay-as-you-go, billed by usage
• Claude Max subscription — $100 or $200/month for a fixed allowance

Verify:

claude --version

Step 7: Configure the Status Line

The status line shows the AI model, your GitHub login, current folder, and session cost at the bottom of every Claude Code session.

claude config set statusLine '{"type":"command","command":"npx -y ccstatusline@latest","padding":0}'

What you'll see:

Step 8: Install Plugins FREE

Plugins are free and extend what Claude Code can do.

claude plugins browse

Recommended starters:

Step 9: Your First Session

Everything stays local on your computer until you decide to push to GitHub.

mkdir ~/my-first-project
cd ~/my-first-project
claude

Try these inside a session:

• What can you help me with?
• Create a simple HTML page that says Hello World
• /help — see all available commands
• /exit — end the session

Quick Reference Card

Terminal Basics

Claude Code Essentials

Keyboard Shortcuts

Troubleshooting

"command not found: brew"

eval "$(/opt/homebrew/bin/brew shellenv)"
echo 'eval "$(/opt/homebrew/bin/brew shellenv)"' >> ~/.zprofile

"command not found: claude"

npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

If that doesn't work, close Terminal completely and reopen it.

"command not found: code"

Open VS Code, press Command + Shift + P, type "Shell Command", and install the PATH command.

Cost Summary