Install the six core command-line tools — git, Volta, Node.js, uv, Python, and Claude Code — in order on Mac or WSL2.
Six tools. Opinionated choices that work well together. Install them in order — each one takes about a minute.
Why these tools?
| Tool | Why |
|---|---|
| git | Track your work, undo mistakes |
| Volta | Manages Node.js without pain |
| Node.js | Required by Claude Code, Gemini CLI, Codex |
| uv | Manages Python without pain |
| Python | Most research tools are Python |
| Claude Code | The AI that does the work |
1. git
Track changes to your files. Undo mistakes. Required by most development tools.
Mac
git is pre-installed on most Macs. Type git in Terminal — if it’s not installed, macOS will prompt you to install it. Click Install and wait.
git --version
Linux (WSL2)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install git
git --version
2. Volta
Volta manages Node.js versions so you don’t have to.
curl https://get.volta.sh | bash
Reload your terminal:
Mac
exec zsh
Linux (WSL2)
exec bash
3. Node.js
Required by Claude Code, Gemini CLI, and Codex.
volta install node
node --version
You should see a version number like v22.x.x.
4. uv
A fast Python package manager. Handles Python versions and project dependencies.
curl -LsSf https://astral.sh/uv/install.sh | sh
Reload your terminal:
Mac
exec zsh
Linux (WSL2)
exec bash
5. Python
uv python install 3.12
uv --version
6. Claude Code
The main AI tool. Conversational assistant right in your terminal.
curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash
Reload your terminal:
Mac
exec zsh
Linux (WSL2)
exec bash
Verify:
claude --version
Log in — see Command Line AI Tools for the full authentication walkthrough.
Other AI tools
Claude Code is the primary tool, but there are free and optional alternatives. See Command Line AI Tools for Gemini CLI (free) and Codex CLI, or Desktop AI Tools for Claude Cowork and the Codex App.
‘Command not found’ after installing?
Reload your terminal (
exec zshon Mac,exec bashon WSL2). If that doesn’t work, close and reopen the terminal window.