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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Claude Code set up is simple so long as you observe just a few easy steps.
- Initiatives are scoped by listing, so setup location issues.
- Correct setup unlocks quick, steady, agentic improvement workflows.
Claude Code has been making waves within the improvement world. I not too long ago used Anthropic’s coding assistant to construct a posh and pretty refined iPhone app from begin to end.
I began through the use of Claude Code inside Apple’s Code Intelligence function of Xcode, however discovered Code Intelligence to be buggy. It crashed or hung pretty persistently. I confirmed that it was Code Intelligence, not Claude Code, inflicting the problems, as a result of after I tried utilizing OpenAI’s Codex in Code Intelligence, I encountered the identical buggy habits.
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After I arrange Claude Code to run from the terminal by way of command line, every thing settled down. I had an extremely productive expertise. That is what we’ll focus on on this article: the right way to arrange Claude Code within the terminal, and the right way to get it working with Xcode.
Please do not assume this text will solely be useful for those who’re planning to code an Apple app. Every part I’ll present you applies to different apps as effectively. It is simply that my venture is an iPhone app, so that is what will likely be in my examples.
Let’s get you signed up
This is the factor: You may’t get a whole lot of agentic coding executed with the free tier of Claude. You have to to enroll in the Professional plan ($17/month) or the Max plan (beginning at $100/month). I like to recommend beginning with the Professional plan. After about 5 hours, for those who resolve you want Claude Code, you may have to maneuver to the Max plan, nevertheless it’s pretty straightforward to do.
I’ve discovered that you just get a whole lot of mileage from the Max plan. I have been utilizing it extensively this month, and it hasn’t minimize me off but. That places Claude Code at about $100/month lower than OpenAI’s Codex, which begins at $200/month for those who do any ongoing improvement.
Subsequent, you may want to connect with GitHub. I discovered that even for those who do not wish to use GitHub, you continue to want to connect with it.
GitHub is a greatest observe that many builders use, however not all tasks want GitHub, particularly for those who’re a lone developer. So, for those who’re already means into GitHub, you are golden.
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If you happen to’re not utilizing GitHub, do not trouble attempting to keep away from it. Signing up for GitHub is free, and so is creating repos. Claude has some degree of separation nervousness. It won’t transfer on with the mandatory setup steps and not using a totally approved GitHub connection. Luckily, the method is just about on rails, so observe my pointers, and you will get previous this gorgeous simply.
I’ve a GitHub account and a few repositories, so I created a brand new repository and linked it to that. You will first have to authorize your connection.
Subsequent, you may want to attach your repos. It says you are putting in the Claude Code GitHub app, however that is not totally correct. You are including some monitoring information. The true set up will come later.
Now, it’s going to ask the place to put in Claude Code. This can be a choice field for all of your GitHub accounts. You simply want to decide on your account. As I stated, the actual Claude Code set up will come later. You are simply taking part in alongside to maintain the robotic completely satisfied.
This is one other one. This time, you are specifying the repository you wish to hook Claude Code as much as. I am engaged on a 3D printing spool filament stock system, so mine is known as “filamentory.” That is not its ultimate identify, nevertheless it works for now.
OK, you are now attached sufficient to begin with the actual set up. Let’s do this subsequent.
Set up Claude Code in your laptop
Claude Code will run inside numerous improvement environments, nevertheless it’s designed for and works greatest inside your terminal software. I used to be a bit hesitant about it, as a result of I did not wish to change forwards and backwards between my terminal and my IDE, nevertheless it turned out to be a really clean, very straightforward approach to go.
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Get began by pointing your browser to Claude’s settings, clicking the little braces icon (proven at 1 beneath), after which the “Set up directions right here” hyperlink (proven at 2).
Subsequent, you may see a command line. In my case, I am utilizing a Mac as my improvement machine, so I selected the Mac atmosphere. Choose the choice that’s best for you, click on it, after which copy the command line.
Paste that into your terminal program, and press Enter.
Let it run till it says it is full.
However, alas, it is not likely full. Discover within the following screenshot that the unique command line is proven at 1. At 2, the installer signifies {that a} path change is required. It exhibits you the command line for that. So, at 3, I went forward and pasted in that command line and hit return.
Now, Claude Code is put in.
Get began coding
This is the massive secret about utilizing Claude Code: Every part works from the present working listing. So, if in case you have a venture in /a/b/c/project1 and one other in /a/b/c/project2, Claude operating in project1 will know nothing of project2. And Claude, when operating in project2, will know nothing of project1.
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So long as you retain that in thoughts, and cd to the right listing earlier than initiating Claude, all will likely be good. So let’s do this. I maintain my Growth folder in My Paperwork. It is a simple means to ensure it will get picked up on all of the backup sweeps, and it really works. I’ve a reasonably deep folder construction inside, however my present iPhone venture is situated in a folder referred to as xcode.
So, the very first thing I do is cd to that folder. Then, go forward and launch Claude by typing ‘claude’ in your command line. Claude will carry out a sequence of startup steps that will likely be repeated for every new venture folder you arrange. Right here, it is asking in regards to the theme. Darkish, after all.
Subsequent, it might want to hook up with your subscription. Most of you’ll undergo the subscription choice, so choose that.
Subsequent, you may have to authorize the hyperlink.
At this level, Anthropic will share with you the details of life. Press Enter to just accept the truth that our robotic overlords are fallible.
I strongly suggest you let Claude Code use its really useful settings. You may change issues later, if you want. However that is essentially the most simple approach to get issues working.
Now, you’ll want to affirm you are in the proper folder, wish to work on it, and belief what’s in it. Belief is an ephemeral factor. In some unspecified time in the future, you need to belief one thing, otherwise you’ll be fully by yourself (Mother Cautionary Life Lesson #47).
And now, we’re right here.
You might begin working now, however there are just a few extra issues it’s best to do to make sure every thing is ready up appropriately. We’ll soar into that subsequent.
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Initializing and first steps
Claude Code makes use of a number of slash instructions that modify its habits. You may even add your personal slash instructions down the highway.
The primary one it’s best to run is /init. It can scan your folder, create a CLAUDE.MD file, which it might probably use as a reference, and usually change into aware of your code.
As you’ll be able to see, it has constructed up an understanding of what is inside my codebase.
My folder isn’t pristine. I initially created the venture utilizing Claude in Xcode with Code Intelligence. That course of was documented on this article. So, as Claude does its /init course of, it is attending to know that code.
Lastly, when it accomplished that scan, I gave Claude its first agentic project. I needed it to dig via the mess that Code Intelligence left and guarantee there have been no duplicate information or code situations.
From right here, I went on to “vibe code” my approach to a totally working iPhone app. I hope this helped you get began.
Claude’s new Slack integration
This is a fast point out of one other approach to speak to Claude Code: by way of Slack. Anthropic introduced this just a few days in the past as a analysis preview.
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I believe it is an fascinating strategy, however I might be involved about by accident typing one thing into Slack and having it ship Claude into some type of agentic tizzy. It is price contemplating, however do not get carried away with this interplay mode till you do some extra analysis. It is in all probability greatest to attend till the function comes out of beta.
Have you ever tried Claude Code?
What about you? Have you ever tried Claude Code but, both inside an IDE or from the terminal? In that case, how did it examine to instruments like OpenAI Codex or built-in Code Intelligence options? Do you like AI coding assistants embedded instantly in your editor, or do you discover a command-line workflow extra steady and productive? And the way do pricing, reliability, and setup friction issue into whether or not you’d undertake a software like this long-term? Tell us within the feedback beneath.
You may observe my day-to-day venture updates on social media. You should definitely subscribe to my weekly replace e-newsletter, and observe me on Twitter/X at @DavidGewirtz, on Fb at Fb.com/DavidGewirtz, on Instagram at Instagram.com/DavidGewirtz, on Bluesky at @DavidGewirtz.com, and on YouTube at YouTube.com/DavidGewirtzTV.
