7.3 KiB
Claude Code Installer for Windows
A colorized, interactive PowerShell installer script that automates the installation of Claude Code on Windows systems.
Quick Install
One-line installation (Run in PowerShell as Administrator):
irm https://git.bitmaster.cc/BitMaster/claude/raw/branch/main/claude-code-installer.ps1 | iex
Or with full command:
Invoke-RestMethod https://git.bitmaster.cc/BitMaster/claude/raw/branch/main/claude-code-installer.ps1 | Invoke-Expression
⚠️ Note: You may need to run PowerShell as Administrator for the installation to complete successfully.
Manual Installation
Step 1: Download the installer script
Invoke-WebRequest -Uri "https://git.bitmaster.cc/BitMaster/claude/raw/branch/main/claude-code-installer.ps1" -OutFile "claude-code-installer.ps1"
Step 2: Allow script execution (if needed)
Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser
Step 3: Run the installer
.\claude-code-installer.ps1
Features
🔍 System Detection
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Windows Detection | Identifies Windows version and build number |
| Architecture | Detects x64, x86, or ARM64 for correct Node.js download |
| System Info | Shows computer name, RAM, and PowerShell version |
| Admin Check | Verifies if running with Administrator privileges |
📦 Node.js Management
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Version Check | Checks if Node.js/npm are installed and their versions |
| Compatibility | Detects if the version is compatible (v18+ required) |
| Clean Removal | Uninstalls existing Node.js via Windows installer |
| Fresh Install | Downloads and installs Node.js 20 LTS from nodejs.org |
| Verification | Verifies installation after completion |
🛡️ Permission Modes
When the installation completes, you'll be prompted to choose how Claude Code runs:
| Mode | Flag | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Normal Mode | (default) | Asks before each operation — safest option |
| 2. Auto-Accept Edits | --auto-accept-edits |
Auto-accepts file changes, confirms commands |
| 3. Full Auto Mode | --dangerously-skip-permissions |
Skips all prompts — use with caution! |
| 4. Exit | — | Don't start Claude, just complete installation |
System Requirements
| Requirement | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 / Windows 11 / Windows Server 2016+ |
| PowerShell | Version 5.1 or later |
| Architecture | x64, x86, or ARM64 |
| Permissions | Administrator recommended |
| Internet | Required for downloading packages |
What Gets Installed
- Node.js 20 LTS — JavaScript runtime (if not already installed or outdated)
- npm — Node package manager (comes with Node.js)
- Claude Code — Anthropic's CLI tool for AI-assisted coding
Installation Paths
| Component | Default Location |
|---|---|
| Node.js | C:\Program Files\nodejs\ |
| npm global packages | %APPDATA%\npm\ |
| npm cache | %APPDATA%\npm-cache\ |
| Claude Code | %APPDATA%\npm\claude.cmd |
Post-Installation
After installation, you can start Claude Code anytime:
Command Prompt or PowerShell:
# Normal mode (recommended)
claude
# Auto-accept file edits
claude --auto-accept-edits
# Full auto mode (dangerous)
claude --dangerously-skip-permissions
If the claude command is not recognized, restart your terminal or open a new PowerShell/Command Prompt window.
Troubleshooting
"claude" is not recognized
Solution 1: Restart your terminal (PowerShell/Command Prompt)
Solution 2: Refresh environment variables
$env:Path = [System.Environment]::GetEnvironmentVariable("Path","Machine") + ";" + [System.Environment]::GetEnvironmentVariable("Path","User")
Solution 3: Manually add npm to PATH
$env:Path += ";$env:APPDATA\npm"
Execution Policy Error
If you see "cannot be loaded because running scripts is disabled":
Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser
Permission Denied / Access Denied
Run PowerShell as Administrator:
- Right-click on PowerShell
- Select "Run as administrator"
- Run the installer again
Node.js Installation Fails
Option 1: Download and install manually from nodejs.org
Option 2: Use winget (Windows Package Manager):
winget install OpenJS.NodeJS.LTS
Option 3: Use Chocolatey:
choco install nodejs-lts
npm Install Fails
Clear npm cache and retry:
npm cache clean --force
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
Uninstallation
Remove Claude Code
npm uninstall -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
Remove Node.js
Option 1: Via Windows Settings
- Open Settings → Apps → Installed apps
- Search for "Node.js"
- Click Uninstall
Option 2: Via Control Panel
- Open Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program
- Find "Node.js"
- Click Uninstall
Option 3: Via PowerShell
# Find and uninstall Node.js
Get-Package -Name "*Node*" | Uninstall-Package
Clean Up Remaining Files
# Remove npm cache and global packages
Remove-Item -Recurse -Force "$env:APPDATA\npm" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
Remove-Item -Recurse -Force "$env:APPDATA\npm-cache" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
Alternative Installation Methods
Using winget (Windows Package Manager)
# Install Node.js
winget install OpenJS.NodeJS.LTS
# Install Claude Code
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
Using Chocolatey
# Install Chocolatey (if not installed)
Set-ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Scope Process -Force
[System.Net.ServicePointManager]::SecurityProtocol = [System.Net.ServicePointManager]::SecurityProtocol -bor 3072
iex ((New-Object System.Net.WebClient).DownloadString('https://chocolatey.org/install.ps1'))
# Install Node.js
choco install nodejs-lts
# Install Claude Code
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
Using Scoop
# Install Scoop (if not installed)
irm get.scoop.sh | iex
# Install Node.js
scoop install nodejs-lts
# Install Claude Code
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
License
This installer script is provided under the MIT License.
Claude Code is a product of Anthropic.
Links
Contributing
Issues and pull requests are welcome at:
https://git.bitmaster.cc/BitMaster/claude
Made with ❤️ for the Claude community