guides / Setup
The full Claude Code setup, start to finish
Install Claude Code, pick an IDE, add a skill and a plugin, connect your tools, and write the two files Claude reads every session.
updated 2026-10-25
In this guide
- Before you start
- Step 1: get Claude Code
- Step 2: pick your IDE
- Step 3: add your first skill
- Step 4: add your plugins
- Step 5: connect your tools
- Step 6: write two files
- What goes wrong
Before you start
This is the whole Claude Code setup in six steps. You install it, pick an IDE, add a skill, add plugins, connect your tools, and write two files.
You do not need to know how to code. Claude Code runs in a terminal, but Claude does the typing. You talk to it.
The source describes it as less like programming and more like texting a capable assistant who lives in your computer.
Work through the steps in order. Step 1 gives you the tool. The later steps give it your context.