Anthropic · Windows compatibility
Claude Code on Windows: Native, Git Bash, or WSL?
This page covers current Windows and WSL support for Claude Code CLI and Desktop. Pro/Max capacity stays on Claude Code usage limits. Extra usage billing stays on extra usage billing. This is not an install tutorial.
Direct answer
Does Claude Code work on Windows?
- CLI
- Fact Official setup lists Windows 10+ with WSL 1, WSL 2, or Git for Windows. Native Windows with Git Bash is a documented option; WSL is not required for CLI.
- Desktop Code tab
- Fact The Desktop app can run a session inside a WSL 2 distribution. WSL 1 is not supported for that Desktop WSL session path. Native Windows Desktop still needs Git for Windows on first launch.
- Sandbox
- Fact Claude Code sandboxing is documented for WSL 2, not for native Windows and not for WSL 1.
- Last verified
- Sep 10, 2026, 8:00 AM UTC
CLI vs Desktop on Windows
| Surface | Windows path | Official caveat |
|---|---|---|
| CLI · native Windows | Fact Supported with Git for Windows / Git Bash. Native installer does not require Node.js. | Portable Git needs CLAUDE_CODE_GIT_BASH_PATH pointed at bash.exe. |
| CLI · WSL 1 or WSL 2 | Fact Both WSL 1 and WSL 2 are listed for CLI. | Use the Linux installer inside the distribution, not the Windows binary copied across. |
| Desktop · native Windows | Fact Supported. First Windows launch needs Git for Windows, then a restart. | ARM64 has a separate installer. Linux Desktop is a different page. |
| Desktop · WSL session | Fact WSL 2 only. Tools and git run inside the distribution. | Not available in WSL sessions: integrated terminal, connectors and plugins, session forking, file browser pane, and @ file suggestions. |
Unsupported or Unknown
- Fact Desktop WSL sessions do not support WSL 1.
- Unknown whether a specific corporate image, antivirus, or execution-policy block will prevent the native installer. That is machine-dependent, not a published plan restriction.
- This page does not republish install script contents. Use the official setup and Desktop WSL pages.
TraceCheck maintainer: review when Anthropic changes Windows, Git Bash, or WSL support, or the Desktop WSL feature exclusions. Do not turn this page into an installation tutorial.