Install Claude Code, Gemini CLI & Codex CLI

Install these top to bottom. After each one, open a new terminal and run the verify command to confirm it worked.Short on time? Node.js is non-negotiable (the AI tools won't install without it). Python and Git round out the essentials; Google Cloud CLI, VS Code, and Docker can wait until you need them.

node --version; python --version; git --version; gcloud --version

Now that Node.js is in place, each AI CLI is a single npm command. Install whichever you want. They happily coexist. After installing, open a terminal in your project folder and type the launch command.

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

claude

npm install -g @google/gemini-cli

gemini

npm install -g @openai/codex

codex

Don't use sudo with these npm commands. It causes permission headaches. If you hit a permissions error on Mac/Linux, see Troubleshooting below.

claude mcp add-json context7 '{"command":"npx","args":["-y","@upstash/context7-mcp@latest"]}' -s user

You're set up. Here's the fastest way to a first win. (Examples use claude; swap in gemini or codex if you prefer.)

1. 1

   Open a terminal in a folder, or make a fresh one:

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   mkdir my-first-project; cd my-first-project

2. 2

   Start the assistant:

   Windows one-time step: Windows blocks scripts by default, so claude won't start until you allow them. Run this once (it's safe and only affects your account — no admin needed):

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   Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser RemoteSigned

   Then start the assistant:

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   claude

3. 3

   Sign in when your browser opens, then come back to the terminal.

4. 4

   Ask it something in plain English. Try typing:

   "Make a simple web page that says 'Welcome to [your dealership]' with our phone number."

After install, the claude, gemini, and codex commands already work in any folder. To make them faster, add short cc / gg / cx shortcuts to your shell profile.

First, a one-time step: Windows blocks scripts by default, so the shortcuts won't load until you allow them. Run this once in PowerShell:

Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser RemoteSigned

Then paste this block to add the shortcuts, and restart your terminal:

if (!(Test-Path $PROFILE)) { New-Item -ItemType File -Path $PROFILE -Force }
Add-Content $PROFILE 'function cc { claude $args }'
Add-Content $PROFILE 'function gg { gemini $args }'
Add-Content $PROFILE 'function cx { codex $args }'
. $PROFILE
Write-Host "Done. Type cc, gg, or cx in any folder."

Beyond the coding CLIs, these are worth a look. The same dependencies (Node.js especially) cover the ones you install yourself.

npm install -g openclaw@latest

Quick reference: what each piece does