Claude Code FAQ: Quick Answers to Common Questions

Is Claude Code free?

Claude Code is free to install and use. You need an Anthropic API key to run it, which costs based on token usage. New users get $5 in free credits to start building immediately.

How much does Claude Code cost?

Claude Code pricing depends on your token usage. Expect $1-5 per day for typical development work. Heavy users might spend $20-50 monthly. Check current Anthropic pricing for exact rates.

What's the difference between Claude Code vs Cursor?

Claude Code runs in your terminal with full system access and unlimited context switching. Cursor works in VS Code with limited context. Claude Code excels at complex projects, system automation, and multi-file operations.

Learn the complete comparison in our Claude Code installation guide.

What can Claude Code actually do?

Claude Code builds complete applications, manages files, runs terminal commands, debugs code, writes tests, and handles git operations. It sees your entire codebase and maintains context across long development sessions.

How do I get started with Claude Code?

Install Claude Code with npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code, add your API key, then run claude in any project directory. Complete setup takes 5 minutes with our first project tutorial.

Do I need programming experience to use Claude Code?

No programming experience required. Claude Code explains every action and teaches you as it works. Non-technical founders successfully build MVPs using natural language instructions and Claude's guidance.

What are Claude Code's system requirements?

Claude Code requires Node.js 18+, works on macOS, Windows, and Linux. Needs terminal access and internet connection. Works with any text editor but integrates best with VS Code and terminals.

How does Claude Code handle my code privacy?

Your code processes through Anthropic's API with enterprise-grade security. Anthropic doesn't train models on your data. For maximum privacy, use local processing with compatible models when available.

Can Claude Code work with existing projects?

Yes, Claude Code analyzes existing codebases instantly. It reads your project structure, understands patterns, and continues development seamlessly. Works with React, Python, Node.js, and most programming languages.

Why is Claude Code better than ChatGPT for coding?

Claude Code sees your entire project, executes commands, creates files, and maintains conversation context. ChatGPT only processes text snippets without project awareness or file system access.

See advanced techniques in our configuration basics guide.

How do I fix "command not found" errors?

Install Claude Code globally: npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code. Restart your terminal and verify with claude --version. If issues persist, check our troubleshooting guide.

Can Claude Code deploy applications?

Claude Code builds, tests, and prepares deployments but cannot directly deploy to production servers. It generates deployment scripts, Docker files, and CI/CD configurations for your deployment pipeline.

Does Claude Code work offline?

Claude Code requires internet connection for AI processing. It caches some data locally but needs API access for code generation, analysis, and conversations. No offline mode currently available.

How do I optimize Claude Code for large projects?

Configure context limits, use focused prompts, and break work into smaller tasks. Our performance optimization guide shows advanced techniques for handling enterprise codebases efficiently.