> FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Claude AI and Claude Code. 32 answers and counting.
▸ What is Claude Code?
Claude Code is an agentic AI coding tool by Anthropic that operates in your terminal. It understands entire codebases, writes production-ready code, and ships features autonomously. Learn more →
▸ What is Claude AI?
Claude AI is an artificial intelligence assistant created by Anthropic. It excels at coding, writing, analysis, and reasoning. Available through web, apps, and Claude Code. Full overview →
▸ How do I install Claude Code?
Run this command in your terminal:
curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash. Works on macOS, Windows, and Linux. Full installation guide →▸ Is Claude AI free?
Yes, Claude AI has a free tier with limited daily usage. For unlimited access, subscribe to Claude Pro ($20/mo) or Max ($100-200/mo). Free usage guide →
▸ How much does Claude Code cost?
Claude Code is included with your Claude subscription. Pro plan is $20/month, Max starts at $100/month. No separate purchase needed. Pricing details →
▸ Is Claude better than ChatGPT?
Claude excels at coding, reasoning, and long document analysis. ChatGPT has broader features (plugins, DALL-E, browsing). For coding, Claude is generally considered superior. Full comparison →
▸ Claude Code vs GitHub Copilot — which is better?
Claude Code is an autonomous agent that ships entire features. Copilot provides inline code completions. They serve different purposes and can be used together. Detailed comparison →
▸ Claude Code vs Cursor — which should I use?
Claude Code is a terminal agent; Cursor is an AI-native IDE. Many developers use both — Cursor for editing and Claude Code for complex tasks. Comparison →
▸ What is Claude API?
The Claude API lets you integrate Claude's AI into your own applications. It offers pay-per-token pricing with Python and JavaScript SDKs. API guide →
▸ How do I get a Claude API key?
Sign up at console.anthropic.com, add billing, then create an API key in the dashboard. Step-by-step guide →
▸ What is Claude Code MCP?
MCP (Model Context Protocol) allows Claude Code to connect to external services like databases, GitHub, and APIs. MCP guide →
▸ Can Claude Code write entire applications?
Yes. Claude Code can build complete features across multiple files — backend APIs, frontend components, tests, and documentation — autonomously.
▸ What operating systems does Claude Code support?
macOS 13+, Windows 10+ (via WSL or Git Bash), Ubuntu 20.04+, Debian 10+, and Alpine Linux 3.19+. Installation guide →
▸ How do I install Claude Code on Windows?
Use PowerShell:
irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex. Or use WSL for the best experience. Windows guide →▸ How do I install Claude Code on macOS?
Run:
curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash. Or use Homebrew: brew install --cask claude-code. macOS guide →▸ How do I install Claude Code on Linux?
Run:
curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash. Alpine requires additional packages. Linux guide →▸ What is CLAUDE.md?
A configuration file you place in your project root that gives Claude Code persistent context about your project — tech stack, conventions, and commands. CLAUDE.md guide →
▸ Can I use Claude AI for SEO?
Yes. Claude AI is excellent for keyword research, content writing, meta tag generation, and SEO optimization. SEO guide →
▸ What is the Claude context window?
Claude supports up to 200,000 tokens (~150,000 words), one of the largest context windows available. This allows analyzing entire codebases.
▸ How do I update Claude Code?
Native installations auto-update. For manual update:
claude update. For Homebrew: brew upgrade claude-code.▸ Can Claude AI replace developers?
No. Claude Code is a powerful assistant that dramatically increases developer productivity, but it still requires human oversight, architectural decisions, and domain expertise.
▸ What is Claude Extended Thinking?
Extended Thinking lets Claude reason step-by-step internally before responding, producing better answers for complex problems. Available in Claude 3.7 Sonnet. Learn more →
▸ How can I make money with Claude AI?
Freelance development, building SaaS products, content creation, automation services, and AI consulting are popular options. 15 methods →
▸ What models does Claude offer?
Claude 3.7 Sonnet (balanced), Claude Opus (maximum intelligence), and Claude Haiku (fastest/cheapest). Model guide →
▸ Is Claude AI safe to use?
Yes. Claude is built with Constitutional AI and is considered one of the safest AI assistants. It has clear data policies and is based in the US. Safety details →
▸ When is Claude 4 coming?
No official date has been announced. Anthropic continuously improves Claude. Claude Code auto-updates when new models are available. What we know →
▸ Who made Claude AI?
Claude is made by Anthropic, an AI safety company founded by Dario and Daniela Amodei (former OpenAI researchers). Headquartered in San Francisco.
▸ Does Claude Code work offline?
No. Claude Code requires an internet connection to communicate with Anthropic's API. Your code stays on your machine, but prompts are sent to the cloud.
▸ Can I download Claude AI?
Yes. Claude is available as a web app, desktop app (Mac/Windows), mobile app (iOS/Android), and Claude Code (terminal). Download guide →
▸ What are the best Claude prompts?
Be specific, provide context, define output format, and use XML structure for complex requests. Prompt engineering guide →
▸ How do I write a good CLAUDE.md file?
Include: project overview, tech stack, coding conventions, common commands, and explicit rules. CLAUDE.md guide →
▸ Claude Code vs Copilot vs Cursor — which is best?
Claude Code for autonomous tasks, Copilot for inline completions, Cursor for AI-native editing. Many use 2+ tools together. Full comparison →
Still have questions?
Try Claude Code yourself — installation takes 30 seconds.