C9PG
Claude Code Docs

First-Time Setup

This page gets you into Claude Code with the least possible friction. The goal is not to build the final repo setup yet. The goal is to sign in correctly, get the terminal and editor working, and choose the lightest bootstrap path that fits what you need today.

Use the team account for this setup

  • Personal account: fine for side experiments or learning in your own sandbox.
  • Team account: use this for real repo work, shared access, and the subscription-backed environment this site assumes.
  • If Claude Code opens under the wrong account, restart claude and sign back into the team workspace before continuing.

Normal developer onboarding on this team does not start with an API key. Treat API-backed headless auth as a later automation topic in CI/CD Integration.

1. Install Claude Code

Native installer (recommended):

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

npm (useful when your team pins versions):

bash
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

Verify the install:

bash
claude --version
claude doctor

2. Sign in with the team account

Start Claude Code normally:

bash
claude

What you should see: Claude Code opens an interactive session and, if needed, a browser sign-in flow. Choose the team account or team workspace, not your personal account.

3. Configure the terminal once

Run this inside your first session:

text
/terminal-setup

This enables the controls you will use constantly:

  • Shift+Tab to cycle permission modes
  • Ctrl+C to interrupt a bad turn
  • Ctrl+G to edit plans in your own editor
  • Alt+T / Option+T to toggle extended thinking
  • Alt+P / Option+P to open the model picker

4. Connect your editor

From inside Claude Code:

text
/ide

What you should see: install or connect the VS Code extension so diffs, mentions, and plan review work without leaving the terminal workflow.

If you want the editor-specific walkthrough after this page, continue with VS Code Integration.

5. Choose your bootstrap path

You do not need the full project setup on day one. Start with one of these:

PathUse it whenCommand
Fast baselineYou want Claude to generate a starting CLAUDE.md quickly and you already know the repo context./init
Guided bootstrapYou want the broader interactive setup flow that helps you think through the baseline in more detail.CLAUDE_CODE_NEW_INIT=1 claude

Fast baseline: /init

Inside an interactive Claude Code session:

text
/init

This is the lighter path. It is usually the right choice when you just need a starting CLAUDE.md and want to keep moving.

Guided bootstrap: CLAUDE_CODE_NEW_INIT=1 claude

From your repo root:

bash
CLAUDE_CODE_NEW_INIT=1 claude

This is the better path when you want a more guided walkthrough and are ready to think about the broader repo baseline.

6. What to do next

Do not jump straight to the full configuration page unless you already understand the daily workflow.

Recommended next steps:

  1. Learn the most useful commands in Core Session Commands.
  2. Practice the flow in Your First Feature.
  3. Turn that into a repeatable habit in Daily Workflow.
  4. Come back to Project Setup once the workflow feels familiar.