Install Claude Desktop and find your way around
Download the official app, sign in, and recognize the experience on your account.
You need a Claude account and a supported computer. At review, the help center lists macOS 13+, Windows 10+, and Linux beta on Ubuntu 22.04+/Debian 12+ (x64 or arm64). Check the live requirements before installing.
1. Download from the official site
Open claude.ai/download and choose the build for your OS and processor. On macOS, open the download and install the app in Applications. On Windows, run the matching installer. For Linux beta, follow the official apt instructions so system package updates also update the app.
2. Sign in and check access
Launch the app and sign in. Confirm the account and organization you intended to use. Chat is available on Free; access to Code and agentic work depends on your plan and organization. If a feature is absent, check plan eligibility and administrator settings before reinstalling.
3. Recognize old and new navigation
The September 16 announcement starts a staged rollout that combines chat and Cowork into one conversation, beginning with Pro and Max. Some accounts still show separate Chat and Cowork options. Both are valid during rollout; Code remains a separate development entry. Use the interface your account currently shows.
4. Complete a first small task
Start a conversation, state your goal, supply the required context, and send a short request. Follow up with one concrete change. Check the result before copying it into your work. You do not need an API key for normal desktop conversations.
Help me turn these three notes into a meeting agenda.
Audience: my teammates. Format: three items, each with a clear goal.
Ask for the notes before drafting.Practice & self-check
Install the app, confirm your account and visible navigation, and finish one short conversation.
When you’re done, take a moment to check:
Read the official sources
CLI instructions checked against official documentation; API examples tested with simulated responses. Product-account walkthroughs were not performed.