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Setup claude code in WSL

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First install wsl and node.js

    # Install WSL using the default Linux distribution (Ubuntu).
    # See https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/install for more info
    wsl --install

    # Restart your computer, then start a shell inside of Windows Subsystem for Linux
    wsl

    # Install Node.js in WSL via nvm
    # Documentation: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/dev-environment/javascript/nodejs-on-wsl
    curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/master/install.sh | bash && export NVM_DIR="$HOME/.nvm" && \. "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh"
    nvm install 22

Step 5: Install and Test Claude Code

5.1 Install Claude Code

bash

# Install Claude Code globally
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
 
# Verify installation
claude --version

5.2 Set Up Authentication

You’ll need one of these options:

Option A: Anthropic Console (API)

Option B: Claude Pro/Max Subscription

  • Subscribe to Claude Pro or Max at claude.ai
  • Use your Claude.ai account

5.3 Initialize Claude Code

bash

# Navigate to a test directory
mkdir ~/test-project
cd ~/test-project
 
# Start Claude Code
claude

Follow the authentication prompts to connect your account.

Step 6: Test Claude Code Configuration

6.1 Basic Functionality Test

bash

# Test basic commands
/help
 
# Test AI interaction
/ask "What is the current directory and what files are in it?"
 
# Test file generation
/generate "Create a simple hello.py file that prints 'Hello, Claude Code!'"
 
# Check system health
/doctor

6.2 Verify File Operations

bash

# List files created by Claude
ls -la
 
# Test file reading
/ask "Read the hello.py file and explain what it does"
 
# Test code execution (if Python installed)
python3 hello.py

Step 7: Example - Running Claude on Existing Project

7.1 Navigate to Existing Project

bash

# Option 1: WSL project (best performance)
cd ~/my-existing-project
 
# Option 2: Windows project (accessible but slower)
cd /mnt/c/Users/YourUsername/Documents/my-project
 
# Option 3: Project on moved drive
cd /mnt/e/my-projects/existing-project

7.2 Initialize Claude in Project

bash

# Start Claude Code in project directory
claude
 
# Generate project documentation
/generate "Create a comprehensive CLAUDE.md file that explains this project structure and how to work with it"
 
# Ask Claude to analyze the project
/ask "Analyze this codebase and give me a summary of what this project does"

7.3 Common Claude Code Workflows

bash

# Code analysis and review
/ask "Review the main.js file for potential improvements"
 
# Bug fixing
/ask "There's a bug in the login function, can you help me find and fix it?"
 
# Feature development
/generate "Add a new API endpoint for user profile management"
 
# Testing
/test "Create unit tests for the authentication module"
 
# Refactoring
/refactor "Convert this callback-based code to use async/await"
 
# Documentation
/ask "Generate JSDoc comments for all functions in utils.js"

7.4 Project-Specific Commands

bash

# Commit changes (if git is set up)
/ask "Review my changes and create an appropriate git commit message"
 
# Environment setup
/ask "Help me set up the development environment for this project"
 
# Dependencies
/ask "Analyze package.json and suggest any outdated or security-vulnerable dependencies"

Ref: Complete Claude Code Installation Guide for Windows | Claude | Claude

tags: dev, ai, wsl

Setup Codex in WSL

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