Claude Code Setup Guide

Table of content

Claude Code is the core interface for your personal OS. This guide covers optimal configuration.

Installation

npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
# or
brew install claude-code

# Authenticate
claude login
# or
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="sk-ant-..."

Essential MCP servers

claude mcp add episodic-memory  # Memory across sessions
claude mcp add file-search      # Better file search
claude mcp add web-fetch        # Web access

claude mcp list  # Verify

Custom instructions

Create ~/.claude/CLAUDE.md:

## About me
Software developer. TypeScript, React, Node.js.
Skip pleasantries. Be direct.

## Preferences
- Metric units
- Time zone: Europe/Riga
- Practical over theoretical

## Style
Don't apologize. Don't explain obvious things.
If unsure, ask — don't guess.

Shell aliases

Add to ~/.zshrc:

alias c="claude"
alias cc="claude --continue"
alias morning="claude 'Morning briefing please'"
alias cap="claude 'Remember this:'"

Model selection

Use caseCommand
Defaultclaude "prompt"
Complex analysisclaude --model claude-opus-4-20250514 "prompt"
Simple tasksclaude --model claude-haiku "prompt"

Conversation management

CommandPurpose
claude --continueResume last conversation
claude --newStart fresh
claude --streamStreaming output

Troubleshooting

ProblemSolution
API key not foundclaude login or set ANTHROPIC_API_KEY
MCP server not respondingclaude mcp restart
Context too longclaude --new to start fresh

Security

Next: Build a Memory System

Topics: claude-code setup mcp