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Introduction to Claude Code: How Do You Properly Start the Claude Code Setup Process?

What Is the Correct First Step to Begin Installing Software?

Learn the essential first step for setting up Claude Code: downloading the official installer. This guide explains why obtaining the software from the official source is the correct initial action and clarifies why restarting your computer is not the starting point.

Question

What is the first step you need to take in order to set up Claude Code on your system?

A. Download the Claude Code installer from the official website.
B. Restart your computer to clear any previous configurations.

Answer

A. Download the Claude Code installer from the official website.

Explanation

Starting by downloading the installer ensures you have the right tools to proceed with the setup.

The Correct First Step: Obtaining the Installer

This is the foundational step for any software installation process, as you cannot begin the setup without the necessary files.​

The primary and most secure method to begin installing any software is to acquire the installation package directly from the developer’s official source. In the case of Claude Code, the official documentation provides several ways to do this, such as using package managers like Homebrew for macOS or running a curl command in the terminal to download and execute an installation script from the claude.ai domain. These commands all perform the same essential first step: they fetch the required software from its official repository to your local system. This ensures you are installing an authentic and up-to-date version of the application.​

Analysis of the Incorrect Option

B. Restart your computer to clear any previous configurations: Restarting a computer is generally not the first step in a software installation workflow. While a reboot might be required to complete an installation, to apply system-wide changes, or to troubleshoot a problem, it is a responsive action, not a preparatory one for a new setup. Initiating the process by restarting is illogical, as there is nothing yet to install or configure. Standard installation procedures begin with pre-installation checks and acquiring the software.​

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