Claude Code Introduction + Windows Installation and Debugging Guide: Integration with Cursor

What is Claude Code?

Claude Code is a terminal programming tool developed by Anthropic that can be used with Claude Sonnet 4 and Claude Opus 4. It's an intelligent programming assistant that runs directly in your terminal environment, understands your codebase, and helps you code faster through natural language commands.

Why Use Claude Code?

💡 Usage Recommendation: Not recommended for non-essential use (too expensive), use only when Cursor can't handle it => Consider it as the "ultimate weapon" for solving the hardest problems.

Claude Max Plan ($100/month) provides unlimited usage, which according to Reddit user feedback is sufficient!
=>As of 2025/6/5, Claude Pro users also have access to use ClaudeCode for free with certain quotas

Installation Method

For non-Windows users, install directly following the official website instructions:

npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

Reference official documentation: Claude Code Overview

Windows Installation Process

First install WSL: Official WSL Installation Guide
We won't explain this here, just follow the official guide to install WSL

Step 1: Open PowerShell as Administrator

Temporarily change PowerShell execution policy to allow local script execution:

Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser

The system will ask if you want to change the execution policy, type "Y" and press Enter to confirm.

Step 2: Enter WSL Environment

2.1 Enter WSL

Type wsl in PowerShell to enter the WSL environment.

2.2 Update System

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

2.3 Install Node.js and npm

curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_20.x | sudo -E bash -
sudo apt install -y nodejs

Verify installation versions:

node -v   # Should display v20.x.x
npm -v    # Should display npm 10.x or compatible version

Step 3: Configure npm Global Installation Directory (Solve Permission Issues)

If you encounter problems directly executing the installation command:

npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

You need to configure the npm global installation directory to avoid permission issues:

3.1 Switch to Linux Directory

cd

Example Reference:

sky@Haha:/mnt/c/WINDOWS/system32$ cd
sky@Haha:~$
# This means cd back to the initial Linux position

3.2 Create New Global Installation Path

mkdir ~/.npm-global

3.3 Set npm to Use New Path

npm config set prefix '~/.npm-global'

3.4 Add Path to PATH

echo 'export PATH=~/.npm-global/bin:$PATH' >> ~/.bashrc

3.5 Update Environment

source ~/.bashrc

Step 4: Install Claude Code

4.1 Execute Installation Command

Official installation command:

npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

If the above command cannot be executed, try using special parameters to bypass platform detection:

npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code --force --no-os-check

4.2 Confirm Successful Installation

claude --version

Step 5: Restore PowerShell Execution Policy

After completing installation, restore PowerShell execution policy to a safer setting:

1. Return to PowerShell (if in WSL, first type exit to return to PowerShell)
2. Execute the following command:

Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy Restricted -Scope CurrentUser

Installation Success!

In WSL, type claude to start. The first time you enter, a login screen will appear, guiding you to link your Claude account. This way you can chat with Claude Code in the terminal and program.

Future Usage Process:

1. Type wsl in terminal to enter WSL environment
2. Type claude to start conversation

Cursor Integration with Claude Code

Integration Steps

1. Open Terminal and Enter Claude Code

2. Input IDE Integration Command

/ide

3. Select Cursor

4. Difference After Integration

Files selected in Cursor can be automatically recognized by Claude Code as "the file you selected".

As shown in the bottom right of the image, it displays In page.tsx

This indicates successful integration, detecting that the currently open file is In page.tsx, allowing you to directly input commands for modifications without explaining which file to modify.

Windows Issues and Solutions

⚠️ Current Windows Bug (As of 2025/05/29)

Windows environment cannot properly link /ide functionality.

Solution: Directly input the following command in Claude Code, and Claude Code will handle it automatically:

claude-code --ide "code"

Explanation: code represents VSCode, which is a universal VSCode extension command. Since Cursor is also a branch of VSCode, Cursor can also use this command.

Install Claude Code Extension Plugin

Installing the corresponding editor extension plugin will make Q&A interactions more convenient and smooth.

Useful Prompt Templates

Here are some useful Claude Code command templates that you can copy and use directly:

Analyze the code structure of this file and find areas that can be optimized

Refactor this function to make it more concise and readable

Help me write unit tests covering the main logic of this function

Check if this file has any security issues

References

• Claude Code Overview - Anthropic
• Claude Code Step-by-Step Installation Tutorial (MS-Windows)
• Getting started with Claude Code - Anthropic

Hope this installation guide helps you! Through the perfect integration of Claude Code and Cursor, you'll be able to fully leverage the powerful capabilities of AI-assisted programming.