Set up Claude and start using it.

Overview

Claude is an AI workspace you can use for writing, thinking, research, files, planning, and repeated workflows. If you are new to Claude, start with the basic setup before uploading important files or building Projects.

This guide follows the beginner walkthrough: download Claude, sign in, review the privacy and location settings, learn where the main tabs live, and send one harmless starter message so you understand the interface before using it for real work.

What you need

• A Claude account. Start at claude.com/download if you want the desktop app.

Instructions

1. 01Step

   Open the Claude download page

   Go to claude.com/download. Use the desktop app if you want Claude on your computer, or use Claude in the browser if you only need normal chat.
2. 02Step

   Install and sign in

   Download the app for your operating system, open the installer, and sign in with the Claude account you want to use. On Mac, this looks like dragging Claude into Applications. On Windows, follow the normal installer flow.
3. 03Step

   Review privacy settings before real work

   Open Claude settings and review the privacy and data controls. I recommend disabling the setting that lets your conversations improve Claude's AI models, then reviewing the rest of the settings so you know what is on.
4. 04Step

   Understand the main workspace areas

   Start with normal chat. Then notice the other areas without trying to master them all at once: Projects for repeated context, artifacts for generated interactive outputs, Customize and connected apps for tailoring Claude and connecting services, and the model picker for choosing which model responds.
5. 05Step

   Send one harmless starter message

   Before using Claude for important work, send one simple message so you understand how a normal chat feels.

   Copy Prompt

   Can you help me understand what you are useful for? Give me three simple beginner tasks I can try in Claude.