Claude Code - Alibaba Cloud Model Studio - Alibaba Cloud Documentation Center

Install Claude Code

Manual installation

macOS/Linux

Install Node.js v18.0 or later.

Run the following command:

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

Verify installation (successful if version number appears):
```
claude --version
```

Windows

Install WSL or Git for Windows, then run in WSL or Git Bash:

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

For details, see the Windows setup guide in the official Claude Code documentation.

Install with Qwen Code

Use Qwen Code to automate installation and avoid configuration issues.

Install Qwen Code first.
Start Qwen Code:
```
qwen
```

Enter this instruction:

macOS/Linux

Help me install Claude Code. 1. Prerequisite: Node.js (v18.0 or later) must be installed. 2. If Node.js is installed, run the command: npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code. After installation, run claude --version to verify that the installation is successful.

Windows

Help me install Claude Code. 1. Prerequisites: Node.js (v18.0 or later) and Git for Windows must be installed. If they are not installed, please install them. 2. If the prerequisites are met, run the command: npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code. After installation, run claude --version to verify that the installation is successful.

Approve command execution until installation completes.
Exit Qwen Code:
```
/exit
```

Connection settings

Configure these settings:

ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL: https://coding-intl.dashscope.aliyuncs.com/apps/anthropic
ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN: Your Coding Plan API key
ANTHROPIC_MODEL: A supported model

macOS/Linux

Create and open ~/.claude/settings.json:

~ is your home directory. Create .claude folder if needed: mkdir -p ~/.claude
```
nano ~/.claude/settings.json
```

Replace YOUR_API_KEY with your API key:

{
    "env": {
        "ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN": "YOUR_API_KEY",
        "ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL": "https://coding-intl.dashscope.aliyuncs.com/apps/anthropic",
        "ANTHROPIC_MODEL": "qwen3.5-plus"
    }
}

Save and restart terminal to apply settings.

Create or edit ~/.claude.json and set hasCompletedOnboarding to true:
```
{
  "hasCompletedOnboarding": true
}
```
hasCompletedOnboarding must be a top-level field (not nested).

This prevents the Unable to connect to Anthropic services error on startup.

Windows

Create and open C:\Users\YourUsername\.claude\settings.json:

CMD

Create the folder.

if not exist "%USERPROFILE%\.claude" mkdir "%USERPROFILE%\.claude"

Create and open the file.

notepad "%USERPROFILE%\.claude\settings.json"

PowerShell

Create the folder.
```
mkdir -Force $HOME\.claude
```
Create and open the file.
```
notepad $HOME\.claude\settings.json
```

Replace YOUR_API_KEY with your API key:

{
    "env": {
        "ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN": "YOUR_API_KEY",
        "ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL": "https://coding-intl.dashscope.aliyuncs.com/apps/anthropic",
        "ANTHROPIC_MODEL": "qwen3.5-plus"
    }
}

Save and restart terminal to apply settings.

Create or edit C:\Users\YourUsername\.claude.json and set hasCompletedOnboarding to true:
```
{
  "hasCompletedOnboarding": true
}
```

Get started

Navigate to your project and start Claude Code:
```
cd path/to/your_project
claude
```
Grant file execution permission after startup.
Run /status to verify configuration (model, Base URL, API key).
Start a conversation in Claude Code.

Switch models

At startup: claude --model <model_name> (e.g., claude --model qwen3-coder-next)
During session: /model <model_name> (e.g., /model qwen3-coder-next)

Common commands

Command	Description	Example
/init	Generate a CLAUDE.md file in project root for project-level instructions and context.	/init
/status	View configuration (model, API key, Base URL).	/status
/model <model_name>	Switch models.	/model qwen3-coder-next
/clear	Clear conversation history.	/clear
/plan	Enter planning mode to analyze solutions without modifying code.	/plan
/compact	Compress conversation history to free context window space.	/compact
/config	Open configuration menu for language, theme, and other settings.	/config

See official documentation for more commands.

Extend capabilities

Extend Claude Code with MCP and skills (e.g., web search for real-time info, image understanding for analysis). See Best practices for details.

Install and use IDE extension

Claude Code IDE extension supports VS Code, VS Code-based IDEs (Cursor, Trae), and JetBrains IDEs (IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm).

VS Code

Complete connection settings. Windows: install WSL or Git for Windows.
Open VS Code, search for Claude Code for VS Code in marketplace, and install.
Restart VS Code and click the upper-right icon to open Claude Code.

If Anthropic login appears, complete connection settings first.
Switch models: Type / → General config → set supported model in Selected Model → start new conversation.

JetBrains

Complete installation and connection settings.
Open JetBrains IDE (IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, etc.), search for Claude Code in marketplace, and install.
Restart IDE, click upper-right icon to start, and use /model <model_name> to switch models.

If Not logged in. Please run /login appears, complete connection settings first.

Error codes

See Common errors and solutions.

FAQ

See FAQ.

Best practices

1. Manage context

Clear regularly: Use /clear to reset conversations, preventing old context interference and saving tokens.
Compress proactively: Use /compact to summarize key decisions and modified files, retaining core memory.
Specify files explicitly: Use @ to reference files (e.g., write a test for @auth.py), preventing inefficient full-project scans.
Use sub-agents: For large tasks, let Claude start sub-agents. Sub-agents return concise conclusions, preserving main conversation context.

2. Plan first, then execute

Enable Plan mode: Analyze solutions before complex tasks without modifying files.
- Quick access: Press Shift + Tab twice.
- Prompt format: "First, output a detailed implementation plan. Modify files only after I confirm."
Reduce trial-and-error: Ensure closed-loop logic before code changes.

3. Consolidate core project knowledge: Write CLAUDE.md

Include key info: CLAUDE.md auto-loads at session start. Add build commands, code specs, and workflows.
Maintain dynamically: Keep content concise. Record only global conventions; add rules as project evolves.

4. Extend capabilities: MCP and skills

MCP: Install a mature MCP Server to connect to external services. For example, add a web search MCP.
Skills: Write a detailed skill description. Claude decides whether to call the tool based on the definition of its purpose. For example, add a visual understanding skill.
Skills vs MCP: Skills teach "how" (workflow knowledge), MCP provides "tools" (external interfaces). They're complementary; skills can also integrate external APIs.

5. Automated guardrails: Hooks

Use hooks: Hooks auto-run scripts at Claude workflow lifecycle nodes (e.g., PreToolUse for pre-execution validation), ensuring 100% execution of key validations.
Configuration methods:
1. /hooks for interactive setup.
2. Edit .claude/settings.json.
3. Ask Claude to write it (e.g., "Write a hook that runs eslint after every file edit").

6. Establish a self-check loop

Enforce validation: Run test cases (pytest, npm test) after code changes.
Define success criteria: Ensure compilation passes and API returns 200 (use curl to verify).
Visual feedback: Take browser screenshots for frontend changes to verify UI.