Claude Code 2026: Complete Tutorial & Getting Started Guide

This comprehensive guide will teach you how to use Claude Code, from installation to advanced tips. If you're new to AI-powered development, check out our guide on what AI agents are first.

What is Claude Code?

Claude Code is Anthropic's agentic coding tool that lives in your terminal. Unlike traditional AI coding assistants that just suggest code, Claude Code can actually execute tasks, understand your entire codebase, write and modify files, run commands, and even create commits—all autonomously.

Think of it as having a senior developer sitting next to you who understands your project completely and can take action on your behalf. You describe what you want in plain English, and Claude Code makes it happen. This is what we call an AI Agent—software that can reason, plan, and autonomously execute tasks.

"I've abandoned Cursor's agents for Claude Code. And honestly, there's no going back." — Steve Sewell, Builder.io

Key Features in 2026

• Agentic Capabilities: Claude Code uses Claude Sonnet 4.5 and Opus 4.5 to understand instructions, execute code, and integrate with your tools autonomously.
• Persistent Memory (CLAUDE.md): A dedicated file that stores project context, commands, workflows, and coding standards across sessions.
• Sub-agents: For complex tasks, Claude Code can deploy parallel sub-agents with their own context windows.
• Skills: Define and store prompts and procedures that extend Claude Code's functionality.
• Plan Mode: Claude clarifies ambiguous parts of your prompt before executing, ensuring more reliable outcomes.
• MCP Integration: Connect to Google Drive, Figma, Slack, Jira, and custom developer tooling.

Installation: Get Started in 30 Seconds

Before installing, you'll need:

• A Claude subscription (Pro, Max, Teams, or Enterprise) or Anthropic API key
• Python 3.10+ and Node.js 18+
• At least 4GB of RAM

macOS / Linux / WSL

Windows PowerShell

Homebrew (macOS)

WinGet (Windows)

Your First Session

After installation, navigate to your project directory and launch Claude Code:

Claude Code will automatically scan your repository to build an understanding of your codebase. You can now start giving it tasks in plain English:

Essential Commands

Setting Up CLAUDE.md (Persistent Memory)

Create a CLAUDE.md file in your project root. This becomes Claude Code's "brain" for your project:

# Project: My App

## Tech Stack
- Frontend: React + TypeScript
- Backend: Node.js + Express
- Database: PostgreSQL

## Commands
- npm run dev: Start development server
- npm run test: Run tests
- npm run lint: Check code style

## Coding Standards
- Use functional components with hooks
- All API responses follow { success, data, error } format
- Write tests for all new features

Best Practices and Pro Tips

1. Use /clear Often

Every time you start a new task, clear the chat. You don't need old history eating your tokens.

2. Use Plan Mode for Complex Tasks

For larger features, ask Claude to plan first before executing:

3. Skip Permissions for Speed

If you trust your workflow, skip constant permission prompts:

Note: Only use this in sandboxed development environments you trust.

4. Use @-mentions for Context

Tag specific files when you need Claude to focus on them:

5. Install the VS Code Extension

The Claude Code VS Code extension makes launching easy and lets you run multiple instances in parallel.

Pricing Options

What Claude Code Can Do For You

• Build features from descriptions: Tell Claude what you want in plain English. It will plan, write the code, and ensure it works.
• Debug and fix issues: Paste an error message, Claude analyzes your codebase, identifies the problem, and implements a fix.
• Navigate any codebase: Ask anything about your team's code and get thoughtful answers with full project awareness.
• Automate tedious tasks: Fix lint issues, resolve merge conflicts, write release notes—all in a single command.

Conclusion

Claude Code represents the next evolution in AI-assisted development. It's not just a code completion tool—it's an autonomous coding partner that can take real action on your behalf.

Ready to 10x your development speed? Install Claude Code and start building smarter today.