New ways to install Claude Code on macOS

Previously, Anthropic distributed Claude Code via NPM:

npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

New alternatives

While the method above still works, there are now 2 alternative ways to get Claude Code.

1. Via Bash Script

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

2. Via Homebrew

   brew install --cask claude-code
   

These alternatives do not require NPM as a prerequisite. 

Switching

1. Before switching, you should uninstall Claude Code via NPM.

   npm uninstall -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
   

2. Then install Claude Code via one of the alternatives.

   % curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash
   Setting up Claude Code...
   
   ✔ Claude Code successfully installed!
   
     Version: 2.0.32
   
     Location: ~/.local/bin/claude
   

3. Run it!

   claude
   

Updating

1. Claude now includes auto-update feature, so you don't need to manually update.

2. Or, via Homebrew

   brew upgrade claude-code