Pre-class setup · Claude Desktop

Set up Claude Desktop

Pick your computer. You'll install Claude Desktop with both Cowork (your main workspace) and the Code tab (your fallback if Cowork won't run on your machine). On Windows that means installing Git too — it's what powers the Code tab.

1. Download Claude Desktop

Download for Mac

Opens claude.com — your browser will save a Claude.dmg file. (Mac comes with Git pre-installed, so there's nothing else to download.)

2. Install Claude Desktop, Cowork, and Code

Double-click the Claude.dmg file you just downloaded.
Drag the Claude icon into the Applications folder.
Open Applications and double-click Claude.
Sign in with your Claude account.
Click the Cowork tab at the top. On Apple Silicon Macs, Cowork is built in — no extra download.
Click the Code tab. This is your fallback if Cowork ever has issues. It uses Git, which is already on your Mac.

3. Use Cowork (or Code as a fallback)

Cowork is the friendlier workspace — that's what we'll use in class.

In the Cowork tab, tick "Work in a Folder" and pick the folder you want Claude to use. (A new empty folder on your Desktop is fine.)
Send your first prompt.

If Cowork won't open for any reason, click the Code tab instead — choose Local, pick the same folder, and you can send prompts there. Same app, same Claude, same work — just a different tab.

You're ready when… the Cowork tab opens, your folder is selected, and you can send a message. (Or the Code tab does the same.)

What can go wrong

The Cowork tab is missing or won't open

Cowork only works on a Mac with Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4). If your Mac is from before late 2020 it's probably an Intel Mac, and Cowork won't appear. Use the Code tab instead — it works on any Mac and gets you to the same place. If you're not sure which Mac you have: click the Apple menu → About This Mac.

The Code tab says Git is missing

Mac normally has Git pre-installed, but a fresh Mac can be missing it. Open Terminal (search "Terminal" in Spotlight) and run xcode-select --install — a small installer pops up. Click through it, then restart Claude Desktop.

It says "upgrade" when I sign in

Your Claude account isn't on a paid plan yet. Cowork and Code both need a paid plan. Bring this up with us before the session — we'll sort it out together.

I'm stuck

Email hello@realmindsai.au with a screenshot. We respond within 48 hours. Don't burn an hour fighting it on your own.

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1. Download Claude Desktop and Git

Download Claude Desktop for Windows Download Git for Windows

Two installers. Claude Desktop runs Cowork; Git is what powers the Code tab and is your fallback path if Cowork won't run on your machine.

2. Install Claude Desktop, Cowork, Git, and Code

Right-click the Claude installer and choose Run as administrator. Click Yes when Windows asks for permission. Cowork won't work without an admin install.
Wait for the install to finish, then open Claude from the Start menu.
Sign in with your Claude account.
Click the Cowork tab. On first use, Cowork downloads about 2 GB in the background to finish setting itself up — this is the actual Cowork install. Leave Claude open and wait; it can take a few minutes.
Now double-click the Git installer you downloaded in step 1 and click through it — accept all the defaults. (Git installs separately; it's what makes the Code tab work.)
Back in Claude, click the Code tab. This is your fallback if Cowork has issues. With Git installed, Code can do the same work in a different way.

3. Use Cowork (or Code as a fallback)

Cowork is the friendlier workspace — that's what we'll use in class.

In the Cowork tab, tick "Work in a Folder" and pick the folder you want Claude to use. (A new empty folder on your Desktop is fine.)
Send your first prompt.

If Cowork won't open on your Windows (some editions block it — see below), click the Code tab instead → choose Local → pick the same folder. Same app, same Claude, same work — just a different tab. This is exactly why we installed Git.

You're ready when… the Cowork tab opens, your folder is selected, and you can send a message. (Or the Code tab does the same.)

What can go wrong

The Cowork tab is missing or greyed out

Cowork on Windows needs three things: (1) you installed Claude with admin rights (right-click the installer → "Run as administrator"); (2) your Windows is Pro, Enterprise, or Education edition — Windows Home doesn't support Cowork; (3) the Virtual Machine Platform Windows feature is turned on.

If you can't fix all three, that's fine — use the Code tab instead. It works on every Windows edition and only needs Git, which you already installed. Click the Code tab → Local → pick a folder. Done.

Cowork says "VM service not running"

Usually the fix is to uninstall Claude and reinstall it from claude.com/download — the latest installer sets up the service correctly. If that still fails, the Code tab is a perfectly good fallback. Send us a screenshot if you'd rather have a hand.

The Code tab says Git is missing

Either the Git installer didn't finish, or Claude Desktop was already open when you installed Git. Close Claude Desktop fully and reopen it — the Code tab should pick up Git on launch. If not, run the Git installer again from git-scm.com/download/win.

It says "upgrade" when I sign in

Your Claude account isn't on a paid plan yet. Cowork and Code both need a paid plan. Bring this up with us before the session — we'll sort it out together.

My work laptop won't let me install things

Many work laptops block installs. Easiest path is to use a personal laptop for class. If that's not an option, talk to your IT team before the session — we can also pair you up on the day so you don't miss any exercises.

I'm stuck

Email hello@realmindsai.au with a screenshot. We respond within 48 hours. Don't burn an hour fighting it on your own.

Browse training sessions → Back to AI tools

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