Claude Code is now available to the Dartmouth community through our Claude Enterprise deployment. Claude Code is an AI tool that helps you write, debug, and manage computer code from a terminal (command line) instead of a chat window. This article covers who benefits from Claude Code, how to install it, and best practices for getting started.
Who Benefits From Claude Code
Claude Code is built for anyone who writes or maintains code, including research computing tasks, class assignments, and departmental scripting. If you do not write code as part of your work or coursework, Claude Code likely is not the right tool for you. For general writing, research, and everyday AI assistance, use Dartmouth's Claude Enterprise chat interface instead.
Common uses include:
- Building a new feature or script from a plain language description
- Finding and fixing bugs in existing code
- Understanding an unfamiliar codebase or project
- Automating repetitive coding tasks such as formatting or cleanup
Requesting Access
Faculty and staff can request Claude Code access here.
Important Information
Dartmouth Claude Code is in another environment within the Dartmouth Claude instance. You will need to switch between instances in the bottom-left corner to toggle between Claude Chat (Dartmouth) and Claude Code (Dartmouth Claude Code).
Unfortunately, at this time, there is not a export/import functionality in our Claude instance. Any information (chats, projects, settings, etc) will need to be copied and pasted into the other environment. Once you move over to the other Dartmouth Claude Code, everything can be done in that environment.
How to Install Claude Code
Claude Code is available two ways: as a desktop app with a graphical interface, or as a command-line tool you run in a terminal. Both work on Windows, Mac, and Linux computers. Choose whichever fits how you like to work.
Prerequisites
- A Dartmouth Claude Enterprise account
- For the terminal option only: Node.js version 18 or newer, available at nodejs.org
Option 1: Desktop App (No Terminal Required)
- Go to the Claude download page and download the installer for your operating system (Mac, Windows, or Linux).
- Run the installer, then launch Claude from your Applications folder (Mac), Start menu (Windows), or application launcher (Linux).
- Sign in with your Dartmouth Claude Enterprise account.
- Click the Code tab at the top of the app window. The desktop app includes Claude Code built in, so you do not need to install Node.js separately for this option.
Option 2: Terminal (CLI)
- Open your terminal application (Terminal on Mac, Command Prompt or PowerShell on Windows).
- Check that Node.js is installed by typing
node --version. If you see a version number of 18 or higher, you are ready to continue. If not, install Node.js from the link above.
- Install Claude Code by typing
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
- Verify the install by typing
claude --version
- Type
claude to start Claude Code. Your browser will open so you can sign in with your Dartmouth Claude Enterprise account.
- Once signed in, return to your terminal. You are ready to start your first session.
Getting Started
Using the Desktop App
- With the Code tab open, select Local, click Select folder, and choose your project directory. On Windows, Git must be installed for local sessions to work; most Macs include Git by default.
- Choose a model from the dropdown next to the send button.
- Type what you want Claude to do in plain language, such as "explain what this project does" or "fix the error in this file."
- Review the suggested changes in the diff view before accepting them. Your permission mode (Auto, Manual, Accept Edits, or Plan) controls how much you review before changes are applied.
Using the Terminal (CLI)
- Navigate to your project folder in the terminal.
- Type
claude to start a session.
- Type a question or task in plain language, such as "explain what this project does" or "fix the error in this file."
- Review the changes Claude Code suggests before it applies them.
Important Note!
- When moving from the original Claude Chat AI to the Claude Code environment, you will need to copy and paste any chats, projects, settings, or any other information that you wish to carry over to the new Claude Code environment to paste there. Unfortunately, there is no export/import feature current in our environment at this time.
Best Practices
- Start with small, specific requests rather than broad, open ended ones.
- Review every change before accepting it, especially in shared or production code.
- Keep your project under version control (such as Git) so changes are easy to track and undo.
- Never share sensitive or restricted data (see the AI Data Sensitivity Guide) as part of a prompt or codebase.
- Close and restart your session if Claude Code loses track of context on a long task.
External Resources
See Related Articles to the right for more information.