Free lesson

What is the terminal?

A window where you type commands; often Claude Code types them for you.

The terminal is an app where you type commands instead of clicking. On Mac it's called Terminal; on Windows, Terminal or PowerShell. With Claude Code, Claude usually runs the commands; you approve.

What it's for

• Some tools (Python, ffmpeg…) are started with a command.

How to do it

1. 01Mac: Cmd+Space, type “Terminal”, Enter.
2. 02Copy the command as given, paste it, then Enter.

Example

“ffmpeg -version” shows the ffmpeg version if it's installed.

Be careful

• !Never run a command you don't understand from a stranger.

Read next

• What is Claude Code?