Start Claude Code Shortcut

· 2 min read

Start Claude Code in any project folder with a simple double-click.

For Mac

  1. Open Terminal and run this command:
mkdir -p ~/Documents/claude-shortcuts && echo -e '#!/bin/bash\ncd "$(dirname "$0")"\nclaude' > ~/Documents/claude-shortcuts/start-claude.command && chmod +x ~/Documents/claude-shortcuts/start-claude.command && open ~/Documents/claude-shortcuts

  1. Finder opens showing your new start-claude.command file

  2. Copy it to any project folder, then double-click to start Claude Code there

For Windows

  1. Open Command Prompt and run this command:
mkdir "%USERPROFILE%\Documents\claude-shortcuts" 2>nul & (echo @echo off & echo cd /d "%%~dp0" & echo claude) > "%USERPROFILE%\Documents\claude-shortcuts\start-claude.bat" & explorer "%USERPROFILE%\Documents\claude-shortcuts"

  1. Explorer opens showing your new start-claude.bat file

  2. Copy it to any project folder, then double-click to start Claude Code there

Want this in multiple folders?

Just copy the file into each folder where you want quick access to Claude Code.

The manual, more technical way

If you prefer to create the files by hand:

Mac (start-claude.command):

mkdir -p ~/Documents/claude-shortcuts
cd ~/Documents/claude-shortcuts
nano start-claude.command

In start-claude.command add:

#!/bin/bash
cd "$(dirname "$0")"
claude

Save the file and exit (ctrl+x, then y, then Enter)

Then run:

chmod +x start-claude.command

Now you can copy it where you want:

mkdir -p ~/Desktop/my-project
cp ~/Documents/claude-shortcuts/start-claude.command ~/Desktop/my-project

or

open ~/Documents/claude-shortcuts

Windows (start-claude.bat):

mkdir "%USERPROFILE%\Documents\claude-shortcuts"
cd "%USERPROFILE%\Documents\claude-shortcuts"
notepad start-claude.bat

In start-claude.bat add:

@echo off
cd /d "%~dp0"
claude

Save the file and close Notepad.

Now you can copy it where you want:

mkdir "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\my-project"
copy start-claude.bat "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\my-project"

or

explorer "%USERPROFILE%\Documents\claude-shortcuts"

Security Concerns?

Copying code from the internet should raise alarm bells. Copy this whole page and give it to ChatGPT, Claude, Grok, or any LLM. It will tell you this is safe.

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