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Claude Code: Anthropic's coding agent

Claude Code is Anthropic's agentic coding tool. It reads your codebase, edits files, runs commands and works with your development tools, and it runs in the terminal, in VS Code and JetBrains IDEs, in the Claude desktop app and in the browser. Anthropic made it generally available on May 22, 2025.

Claude Code is for developers and for people learning to build software with an AI agent. Where a personal agent works across your apps and accounts, Claude Code works inside a code repository: it plans a change, edits the files, runs your tests and can commit the result. Most surfaces run on a Claude subscription or an Anthropic Console account, and the terminal CLI, VS Code and JetBrains can also run on a third-party model provider. The desktop app is the one surface the docs say requires a paid subscription. New to it? Start with the Claude Code beginner's guide.

#How do you install Claude Code?

On macOS, Linux and WSL the native installer is one command:

bash
curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash

On Windows, run irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex in PowerShell, run the install.cmd script in CMD, or install with WinGet (winget install Anthropic.ClaudeCode). On macOS you can also use Homebrew (brew install --cask claude-code). Then run claude inside a project folder and log in when it asks.

#How do Claude Code skills work?

A skill is a folder with a SKILL.md file: optional YAML frontmatter, then the instructions Claude follows. Personal skills live in ~/.claude/skills/ and project skills in .claude/skills/, one folder per skill. The folder name becomes the command, so .claude/skills/deploy/SKILL.md runs as /deploy, and Claude can also start a skill on its own when the skill's description matches the task. Claude Code extends the Agent Skills open standard with fields of its own, such as disable-model-invocation and context.

For a worked example of writing a skill, see custom skills and slash commands; for running your own checks around them, hooks for beginners.

Key facts

Key facts about Claude Code
MakerAnthropic
TypeCoding agents
StatusGenerally available
PriceIncluded with Claude Pro ($20 a month, $17 billed annually) and Max (from $100 a month); or Anthropic API billing
AvailabilityTerminal on macOS, Linux, WSL and Windows; VS Code and JetBrains; desktop app; web and the Claude mobile app
Your own skillsYes. Agent Skills SKILL.md in .claude/skills, plus plugins that bundle skills, agents, hooks and MCP servers (skills docs)
Websitecode.claude.com
DocsClaude Code docs
Last verified

Want a guided start? Claude Code for Builders, the ClawDocx playbook

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Frequently asked questions

Is Claude Code free?
No. Claude Code is not part of the free Claude plan. It comes with Pro ($20 a month, or $17 a month billed annually), Max (from $100 a month), Team and Enterprise, and it also works with an Anthropic Console account billed for API use.
On Windows, is it better to install natively or in WSL?
Both work. A native install needs Git for Windows if you want Claude Code's Bash tool; without it, Claude Code uses PowerShell as the shell tool instead. In WSL you get the same one-line installer as macOS and Linux and a Bash shell, and the docs note that WSL setups do not need Git for Windows.
What is the difference between a Claude Code skill and a plugin?
A skill is one folder of instructions with a SKILL.md file. A plugin is a package that can bundle several skills with agents, hooks and MCP servers. Adding a .claude-plugin/plugin.json file turns a skill folder into a plugin, and plugin skills run as /plugin-name:skill-name.

Sources

  1. Claude Code docs: Overview
  2. Claude Code docs: Extend Claude with skills
  3. Claude pricing
  4. Anthropic: Introducing Claude 4 (Claude Code generally available)