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4.2 Installation and Setup

Course: Claude Code - Essentials Section: Claude Desktop App Video Length: 2-5 minutes Presenter: Daniel Treasure

Opening Hook

Installation is straightforward—the Desktop App uses native installers for your OS, so there's no npm, no Homebrew, no curl commands. Just download, run, and sign in. This video walks you through the process on both macOS and Windows so you can get up and running in under 5 minutes.

Key Talking Points

1. Where to Download (The Starting Point)

  • Official source: Visit https://claude.ai and look for "Get Claude" or the Desktop App download link
  • Available for macOS and Windows (native installers)
  • Always download from the official Anthropic source—never third-party mirrors

What to say: "Unlike the CLI, there's no Homebrew or npm involved. You go to claude.ai, click download, and run the installer. It's the simplest way to get started with Claude Code if you prefer a GUI."

What to show on screen: Show the claude.ai homepage (or the download page). Highlight the Desktop App download button. Show the file size (~100-200 MB) so people know what to expect.

2. macOS Installation (Platform-Specific)

Step through the macOS installation: - Download the .dmg file for macOS - Double-click to mount the disk image - Drag Claude into Applications folder (standard macOS installation pattern) - Wait for copy to complete - Eject the disk image or close the window - Open Applications folder and double-click Claude to launch

What to say: "macOS installation is drag-and-drop. Download the DMG file, drag Claude to your Applications folder, and you're done. It's the standard macOS installation pattern everyone knows."

What to show on screen: Walk through the actual macOS installation step-by-step. Show the .dmg window with the Applications folder shortcut. Show dragging the Claude app icon to Applications. Show the app appearing in Applications and the Dock. Total: 60-90 seconds.

3. Windows Installation (Platform-Specific)

Step through the Windows installation: - Download the .exe file for Windows - Double-click the installer - Click through the installer (standard Windows setup wizard) - Accept the default install location (Program Files) - Wait for installation to complete - Click Finish to launch the app

What to say: "On Windows, it's even simpler. Download the .exe file, run it, and click through the setup wizard. No special options needed—just accept the defaults and you're ready to go."

What to show on screen: Walk through the Windows installation. Show the .exe file download, the installer wizard screens (UAC prompt, install location, install progress, finish button). Show Claude opening after installation. Total: 60-90 seconds.

4. First Launch and Authentication (The Setup)

Explain what happens after installation: - App opens to a login/welcome screen - Sign in with your Claude account (Pro, Max, Teams, or Enterprise) - Agree to any permissions (local file access, etc.) - Choose your default mode (Chat or Code) - App is ready to use

What to say: "Once the app opens, you'll see a login screen. Sign in with your Claude account—the same one you use for claude.ai. Give it local file access permission when prompted, and you're ready to start using Claude Code."

What to show on screen: Show the login screen. Show entering credentials (or explain that you'd click "Sign in with Claude"). Show any permission dialogs. Show the app fully open and ready for use. Total: 45-60 seconds.

5. Quick Verification Check (Testing)

Ensure installation was successful: - App is running and responding to clicks - File browser or sidebar is visible (if in Code Mode) - Mode toggle works (can switch between Chat and Code) - Settings or preferences are accessible

What to say: "To verify everything installed correctly, check that the app opens, you can click around, and you can switch between Chat and Code modes. If all of that works, installation is successful."

What to show on screen: Show the fully-loaded app. Demonstrate clicking the mode toggle or accessing a menu. Show that the app is responsive and ready. Keep it brief.

Demo Plan

Do a live installation or show a pre-recorded walkthrough depending on setup:

Option A: Live Installation (Recommended) 1. Start with Desktop empty (or Applications folder open on macOS) 2. Show the download link on claude.ai 3. Download the installer (or show a partially-downloaded file if it takes too long) 4. Run the installer and walk through the steps 5. Show the app opening and ready to use

Option B: Pre-recorded Walkthrough - Record the full installation process beforehand (so you can speed it up if needed) - Play it back with minimal commentary, pausing to explain key steps

Total screen time: 2-3 minutes. This video is about showing the process, not talking about it.

Code Examples & Commands

N/A for this video. Installation is purely GUI-based.

Gotchas & Tips

  • System Requirements: Make sure your OS is supported (macOS 10.15+ or Windows 10+). If you're on very old hardware, check the official requirements.
  • Automatic Updates: The Desktop App updates automatically in the background. You don't need to manually check for updates.
  • Different from Claude CLI: This is a separate install from the CLI. You can have both installed at the same time—they're independent.
  • Permissions on macOS: On first launch, macOS may ask for "Developer Tools" or file access permissions. Click "Allow" or "Install" to proceed.
  • Antivirus on Windows: If Windows Defender flags the installer, it's safe—it's a legitimate Anthropic application. You may need to click "More info" → "Run anyway" if you see a warning.

Lead-out

"Installation is done. Now let's explore what you're looking at. In the next video, we'll walk through the UI layout and show you how to navigate the Claude Code interface."

Reference URLs

Prep Reading

  • Official Anthropic support documentation on Desktop App installation
  • Release notes from recent versions (check GitHub for any OS-specific notes)
  • Community posts on ClaudeLog about first-time setup

Notes for Daniel: This video is purely instructional. Move at a steady pace (not too fast, not too slow). Pause briefly at decision points ("click Next," "choose your location") so viewers can follow along. If doing a live install, accept that it might take a minute—don't rush. Viewers expect real-world timing.