VS Code + Claude Code — Setup Commands

All the commands you need, in order. Click the blue Copy button next to any command, then paste directly into VS Code's terminal.

How to use this page: Open this file in any web browser. As you work through the VS Code setup section of the Bootcamp, come back here and click Copy next to each command rather than typing it manually. This prevents typos that would cause the setup to fail.
2
Verify Node.js installed correctly

After installing Node.js, open the VS Code terminal (press Ctrl + `) and run this to confirm it worked. You should see a version number like v20.11.0.

Check Node.js version
node --version
4
Install Claude Code

Type this in the VS Code terminal and press Enter. A lot of text will scroll past — that is normal. Wait until it finishes and you see a blinking cursor again.

Install Claude Code (Windows / most Mac)
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
Mac only — if you see "permission denied": Use this version instead. It will ask for your Mac password.
Install Claude Code (Mac — permission denied fix)
sudo npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
Verify the installation worked
claude --version

You should see a version number. If you do, Claude Code is installed correctly.

5
Sign in and start Claude Code

Type this in the terminal to start Claude Code. The first time, it will open a browser window and ask you to log in with your Anthropic account.

Start Claude Code
claude

Once signed in and running, try these three test commands one at a time:

Test 1 — confirm Claude can see your files
What files are in my current project?
Test 2 — confirm Claude can create a file
Create a new file called hello.txt and write one sentence describing what Claude Code is.
Exit Claude Code when you are done
/exit
6
Set up your CLAUDE.md file

Create a file called CLAUDE.md in your project folder and paste in the content below. This is the file Claude reads automatically every time it starts in your project.

Starter CLAUDE.md content — click Copy then paste into the file
# Project: My First AI Project This is a practice project for learning Claude Code. ## Standards - Always use plain, clear English in any output - When creating files, confirm what was created - Ask before deleting anything

After saving the file, restart Claude Code and test that it reads your instructions:

Restart Claude Code
claude
Confirm Claude read your CLAUDE.md
What are the standards for this project?

Claude should describe the rules you wrote above. If it does, your setup is complete.

★
Useful commands to keep handy

These are the Claude Code commands you will use most often during your work.

Start Claude Code in any project folder
claude
Check which instruction files are loaded
/memory
Clear the current conversation and start fresh
/clear
Show all available commands
/help
Exit Claude Code
/exit
VS Code keyboard shortcuts:  Open/close terminal: Ctrl + `  ·  Save file: Ctrl + S  ·  Command palette: Ctrl + Shift + P  ·  Undo: Ctrl + Z
(Mac users: replace Ctrl with Cmd)

✓ Setup checklist — tick each one off as you go

AI Builder Bootcamp — VS Code Setup Commands  ·  Keep this file open alongside the course PDF