Your Complete Windows Setup Guide
Follow these 6 simple steps to set up your computer for coding. No experience needed — we'll guide you through everything!
Install VS Code
VS Code (Visual Studio Code) is a free program made by Microsoft for writing code. Think of it like Microsoft Word, but for coding. It's the most popular code editor in the world.
Open the VS Code website
Open your web browser (like Chrome or Edge) and go to: code.visualstudio.com
Download the installer
Click the big blue button that says "Download for Windows". The download will start automatically. Wait for it to finish.
Run the installer
Find the downloaded file (usually in your Downloads folder) and double-click it. If Windows asks "Do you want to allow this app to make changes?", click "Yes".
Follow the installation steps
Click "Next" through the installer. When you reach the "Select Additional Tasks" page, make sure to check these two important boxes:
Important! Check the box that says "Add to PATH". This lets you open VS Code from the command line. Also check "Register Code as an editor for supported file types".
Finish and restart
Click "Install", then "Finish". It's recommended to restart your computer so the PATH setting takes effect.
Verify Installation
Open PowerShell (search for "PowerShell" in the Start menu) and type this command:
code --versionYou should see a version number like 1.96.0. If you see it, VS Code is installed correctly!
Common Issues & Solutions
"code" is not recognized as a command
This means VS Code wasn't added to your PATH. Try closing ALL PowerShell windows and opening a new one. If it still doesn't work, uninstall VS Code and reinstall it — this time make sure to check the "Add to PATH" option.
Windows Defender blocks the installer
Windows might show a "Windows protected your PC" message. Click "More info", then click "Run anyway". VS Code is safe — it's made by Microsoft themselves.
VS Code is slow or extensions won't install
Your antivirus might be scanning VS Code files. Open Windows Security, go to Virus & Threat Protection > Manage Settings > Exclusions, and add the VS Code folder (usually C:\Program Files\Microsoft VS Code).
Install Git
Git is a tool that saves snapshots of your work, like version history in Google Docs. It lets you go back to previous versions, work with others, and keep your code safe. You'll need it for Claude Code and GitHub.
Open the Git website
Go to: git-scm.com/downloads/win
Download the installer
Click "Click here to download" or choose the "64-bit Git for Windows Setup" link. Wait for the download to finish.
Run the installer and choose options
Double-click the downloaded file. The installer has many options — here are the important ones to select:
Important options:
• Default editor: Choose "Use Visual Studio Code as Git's default editor"
• PATH: Choose "Git from the command line and also from 3rd-party software" (this is very important!)
• Default branch: Choose "Override the default branch name" and type "main"
• Line endings: Choose "Checkout Windows-style, commit Unix-style line endings"
• Credential Manager: Keep "Git Credential Manager" selected
For all other options, keep the defaults and click "Next".
Configure your identity
After installation, open PowerShell and run these commands (replace with your actual name and email):
git config --global user.name "Your Name"git config --global user.email "your.email@example.com"Verify Installation
Open a new PowerShell window and type:
git --versionYou should see something like "git version 2.47.0". If you see it, Git is installed correctly!
Common Issues & Solutions
"git" is not recognized as a command
Close ALL PowerShell/Command Prompt windows and open a fresh one. If still not working, restart your computer. If the problem persists, reinstall Git and make sure to choose "Git from the command line and also from 3rd-party software" during installation.
Git keeps asking for my password
Open Windows Credential Manager (search for it in the Start menu). Go to "Windows Credentials", find any entries starting with "git:", and remove them. Next time Git asks, enter your credentials fresh and they'll be saved.
Confusing options during installation
If you're unsure about any option during installation, just keep the default setting and click "Next". The defaults work fine for most users. The only critical one is the PATH option mentioned in Step 3 above.
Install Node.js
Node.js is a program that lets you run JavaScript tools on your computer. Many development tools (including one way to install Claude Code) need Node.js to work.
Open the Node.js website
Go to: nodejs.org
Download the LTS version
Click the button that says "LTS" (Long Term Support). This is the stable, recommended version. Do NOT choose the "Current" version — LTS is more reliable for beginners.
Run the installer
Double-click the downloaded .msi file. Click "Next" through the installer, keeping the default settings.
Tip: If you see a checkbox that says "Automatically install the necessary tools for native modules", check it. This installs extra tools that some packages need. A black window may appear — just let it finish.
Restart your computer
After installation completes, restart your computer to make sure Node.js is properly added to your system.
Verify Installation
Open a new PowerShell window and type these two commands:
node --versionnpm --versionYou should see version numbers for both. For example: v22.0.0 and 10.0.0. If you see them, Node.js is installed correctly!
Common Issues & Solutions
"node" or "npm" is not recognized
Close ALL terminal windows and open a new PowerShell window. If still not working, restart your computer. If the problem persists, uninstall Node.js completely, delete the folder C:\Program Files\nodejs if it exists, and reinstall.
Permission errors when installing packages
Do NOT run PowerShell as Administrator for npm commands — this can cause more problems. Instead, if you get permission errors, try running this command first:
npm config set prefix "$env:APPDATA\npm-global"Native module tools installation failed
If the black window that installs extra tools closed with errors, you can install them manually. Open PowerShell as Administrator and run:
npm install --global windows-build-toolsInstall Claude Code
Claude Code is an AI assistant that can help you write, understand, and fix code directly from your terminal. It's made by Anthropic. You need a Claude Pro, Max, Team, or Enterprise subscription to use it.
Method A: Native Installer (Recommended)
Open PowerShell
Search for "PowerShell" in the Start menu and open it.
Run the install command
Copy and paste this command into PowerShell and press Enter:
irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iexWait for the installation to complete. This may take a few minutes.
Sign in to Claude
After installation, type "claude" in PowerShell and press Enter. Your browser will open — sign in with your Claude account. Once authenticated, you'll be returned to the terminal.
Method B: Using npm (Alternative)
Note: This method requires Node.js to be installed first (Section 3). Use Method A if possible — it's simpler.
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-codeVerify Installation
Open a new PowerShell window and type:
claude --versionYou should see a version number. Then run "claude" to start using it!
Common Issues & Solutions
"claude" is not recognized as a command
Close PowerShell completely and open a new window. If still not working, restart your computer. Make sure Git (with Git Bash) is installed — the native installer requires it.
PowerShell blocks the install script
PowerShell might block the script for security. Run this command first to allow it, then try the install command again:
Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUserAuthentication or sign-in fails
Make sure you have an active Claude Pro, Max, Team, or Enterprise subscription. Check your internet connection. If the browser didn't open, try copying the URL shown in the terminal and pasting it into your browser manually.
npm install fails (Method B)
Try running the install with extra flags:
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code --forceSet Up Claude Code in VS Code
Now let's add Claude Code directly into VS Code so you can use the AI assistant while writing code, without leaving the editor.
Open VS Code
Launch VS Code from your Start menu or desktop.
Open the Extensions panel
Press Ctrl+Shift+X on your keyboard. This opens the Extensions sidebar where you can search for and install add-ons.
Search and install Claude Code
Type "Claude Code" in the search box. Look for the one published by "Anthropic" (it will have a verified checkmark). Click the blue "Install" button.
Important! Make sure you install the one by "Anthropic" — not other similarly named extensions.
Sign in
After installation, you'll see a spark icon in the top-right of the editor. Click it to open Claude Code. You'll be asked to sign in with your Claude account (the same one you used in Section 4).
Try it out!
Open any file in VS Code, then click the spark icon. Type a question like "What does this file do?" and Claude will analyze and explain your code.
Useful shortcuts:
• Ctrl+Shift+P → Type "Claude Code" to see all available commands
• Use @ to mention specific files in your questions (e.g., @index.html)
Common Issues & Solutions
Extension doesn't appear after installing
Your VS Code might be outdated. The Claude Code extension requires VS Code version 1.98.0 or newer. Update VS Code by going to Help > Check for Updates.
Spark icon is not visible
You need to have a file open in the editor for the spark icon to appear. Open any file (File > Open File) and the icon should show up in the top-right corner.
Can't sign in or authentication fails
Check your internet connection. Make sure you have a Claude Pro or higher subscription. Try reloading VS Code: press Ctrl+Shift+P, type "Reload Window", and press Enter.
Set Up & Use GitHub with Git
GitHub is a website that stores your code online, like Google Drive for code projects. It works with Git (which you installed in Section 2) to let you upload your code, collaborate with others, and keep a backup of your work.
Part A: Create a GitHub Account
Go to GitHub
Open your browser and go to: github.com/signup
Create your account
Enter your email, create a password, and choose a username. The free plan is perfect for getting started. Verify your email address when prompted.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (recommended)
Go to Settings > Password and Authentication > Enable Two-Factor Authentication. This adds extra security to your account.
Part B: Connect Your Computer to GitHub
You need to connect Git on your computer to your GitHub account so you can upload code. The easiest way is HTTPS (which Git Credential Manager handles automatically).
How it works: When you first try to upload code to GitHub, a window will pop up asking you to sign in to your GitHub account. Git Credential Manager (installed with Git in Section 2) will remember your login so you don't have to sign in every time.
Part C: Your First Git & GitHub Workflow
Here's the basic recipe you'll use every time you work on a project:
Create a repository on GitHub
On GitHub, click the "+" button (top-right) > "New repository". Give it a name, check "Add a README file", and click "Create repository".
Clone (download) the repository
On your repository page, click the green "Code" button, copy the HTTPS URL, then open PowerShell and type:
git clone https://github.com/YOUR-USERNAME/YOUR-REPO-NAME.gitReplace YOUR-USERNAME and YOUR-REPO-NAME with your actual GitHub username and repository name.
Navigate into your project
cd YOUR-REPO-NAMEMake changes to your files
Open the project in VS Code by typing "code ." in PowerShell. Edit files, add new files, etc.
code .Save a snapshot of your changes
After making changes, run these three commands in order:
git add .This tells Git: "I want to save all my changes".
git commit -m "Describe what you changed"This creates a snapshot with a description. Write something helpful like "Add homepage layout" or "Fix login button color".
git pushThis uploads your snapshot to GitHub. The first time, a sign-in window may appear — sign in with your GitHub account.
Get updates from GitHub
If someone else made changes (or you edited files on GitHub's website), download their changes with:
git pullRemember this pattern: pull → edit → add → commit → push. Do this every time you work on your project!
Common Issues & Solutions
Authentication failed when pushing
GitHub no longer accepts passwords for Git operations. When the sign-in window appears, use your GitHub account login. If you see a password prompt in the terminal instead, you may need to create a Personal Access Token: go to GitHub > Settings > Developer Settings > Personal Access Tokens > Generate New Token, select the "repo" scope, and use the token as your password.
"push" was rejected
This usually means someone else (or you, from GitHub's website) made changes that you don't have yet. Run "git pull" first to download those changes, then try "git push" again.
"fatal: not a git repository"
You're running git commands in the wrong folder. Make sure you "cd" into your project folder first. For example: cd my-project
Merge conflict after "git pull"
A merge conflict happens when two people changed the same line in a file. Don't panic! Open the conflicted file in VS Code — you'll see sections marked with <<<<<<< and >>>>>>>. Choose which version to keep (yours, theirs, or both), delete the marker lines, save the file, then run: git add . → git commit -m "Resolve merge conflict" → git push
You're All Set!
Congratulations! You've installed VS Code, Git, Node.js, Claude Code, and connected to GitHub. You're ready to start coding!