Claude Code for non-developers.
Setup for finance people.

By The Experts AI editorial team · Written with AI assistance · Updated October 14, 2026

Short answer: You can use Claude Code without coding. You need a paid plan (Pro is $20/month, or $17/month billed annually; the free plan does not include Claude Code), a computer with macOS 13+, Windows 10 1809+ or Linux and 4 GB of RAM, and either the desktop app or a terminal. Then you describe the goal, approve the plan and check results.

Claude Code sounds like a developer tool, and it is one. But you do not need to write code to use it: you describe what you want, approve its plan and check the result. Here is how to get set up, based on Anthropic's documentation as of September 24, 2026.

1. Check your plan

According to Anthropic, Claude Code requires a Pro, Max, Team, Enterprise or Console account; the free Claude plan does not include it. Claude Pro costs $20/month billed monthly or $17/month billed annually (claude.com/pricing).

2. Check your computer

Anthropic lists macOS 13.0 or later, Windows 10 version 1809 or later (or Windows Server 2019+), or a recent Linux distribution, with at least 4 GB of RAM.

3. Choose: desktop app or terminal

Desktop app. If a terminal feels uncomfortable, Anthropic's desktop app lets you use Claude Code without it. Download it from claude.com/download.

Terminal. The native installer commands from Anthropic's setup docs:

curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash

irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex

Then open a folder for your project and type claude to start. Always copy install commands from the official setup page, since they can change.

4. Make a safe project folder

Create an empty folder, for example cash-flow-dashboard, and put only the files the project needs in it. Claude Code works inside the folder you start it in. Start with fictional sample data, not client files.

5. Your first session

1. Paste a clear brief: the data, the result, the expected totals. Our free lesson gives you one.
2. Ask Claude to explain its plan before changing anything.
3. Approve one step at a time, and check the numbers after each.
4. If something breaks, describe what you see and paste the error message.

Words you will see

• Terminal: a text window for typing commands.
• Folder / directory: where your project files live.
• Localhost: a web address that only works on your own computer, where your app runs.
• Permission prompt: Claude Code asks before editing files or running commands. Read it before approving.

Frequently asked questions