Choose a Claude Code Interface, Authenticate, and Diagnose Setup Problems

Quick answer

Use the terminal when you want the complete command-line workflow, an IDE when visual diffs and editor context matter, the desktop app for parallel visual sessions, the web for managed cloud execution, and Remote Control when code must remain on your machine. Authenticate with a Claude subscription, Console account, or supported enterprise provider, confirm the binary with claude --version, and use /doctor before manually changing configuration. Anthropic's overview and quickstart are the source of truth for current platform support.

Pick the execution environment before the interface

The screen you use and the machine that executes code are different decisions:

Environment	Code runs on	Best fit
Local	Your machine	Private repos, local services, full toolchains
Cloud	Anthropic-managed environment	Long-running work, parallel tasks, repos not cloned locally
Remote Control	Your machine, browser UI	Mobile or browser control without uploading the working tree

The terminal, VS Code, JetBrains, and desktop surfaces can share the same underlying Claude Code concepts, including project instructions and extensions. Do not assume every surface has identical UI controls or feature timing; check the relevant official page when a capability matters.

Use a supportable installation path

On macOS, Linux, or WSL, Anthropic currently recommends the native installer:

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

Homebrew and WinGet are valid package-manager alternatives, but their update behavior differs. Record the installation method in team onboarding docs so upgrades and removals are predictable. On native Windows, Git for Windows is recommended when you want Bash-based tooling; WSL does not require it.

Understand authentication choices

Start claude and complete browser login. Common account paths include a Claude Pro, Max, Team, or Enterprise subscription; an Anthropic Console account with API billing; and supported cloud providers configured by an organization. Use /login to switch or reauthenticate.

Never paste long-lived API keys into prompts, CLAUDE.md, committed settings, or shell history. Prefer the credential flow your organization manages. When a company gateway or SSO is required, follow managed configuration instead of overriding endpoints locally.

Diagnose in a fixed order

Run these checks from the project directory:

which claude
claude --version
claude

Inside Claude Code:

/doctor
/status
/login

Then isolate the layer that failed:

1. Command missing: verify the install directory is on PATH, then restart the shell.
2. Login loop: check system time, browser handoff, proxy policy, and account entitlement.
3. Project-only failure: start in an empty trusted directory to separate global setup from repository configuration.
4. MCP or plugin failure: disable the suspect extension and retest the base client.
5. Shell command failure: run the same command outside Claude Code and compare environment variables and working directory.

Avoid deleting ~/.claude as a first response. It contains configuration and session data; capture diagnostics and back up anything important before resetting state.

Lab: prove the setup end to end

In a disposable Git repository, ask Claude to explain the project, create a tiny function, run its test, show the diff, and undo the edit with a checkpoint. Success means reading, editing, execution, Git awareness, and recovery all work—not merely that a prompt returns text.

FAQ

Is the terminal required for the IDE extension?

VS Code offers a direct extension experience. JetBrains integration currently relies on the Claude Code CLI as well; verify the latest prerequisites in the official IDE documentation.

Should a team standardize on one surface?

Standardize project instructions, security policy, and verification—not personal UI preference. Choose surfaces according to execution and review needs.

What should I capture in a support ticket?

Include operating system, install method, claude --version, the failing step, exact sanitized error, whether an empty project reproduces it, and relevant /doctor output. Remove tokens and secrets.