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How to Set Up Claude Code in Ritemark

9 min read
The AI sidebar after setup: Claude is ready and can now work with the files in this workspace

Claude Code is Anthropic's official CLI for AI-assisted writing and editing. Ritemark integrates Claude Code directly into its AI sidebar -- pick a Claude model in the model menu under the message box and start working. Claude Code ships inside Ritemark, so you only need to sign in.

What Do You Need Before Installing?

You need a Claude subscription or an Anthropic API key:

  • Claude Pro/Max -- sign in with your Claude.ai account, no API key needed

  • Claude Team or Enterprise -- sign in with your organization account

  • Anthropic API key -- usage-based billing via Anthropic Console

Claude Code ships inside Ritemark, so there is nothing else to install. That holds on Windows too: the bundled Claude Code needs neither Git nor Node.js. With Git for Windows installed, Claude runs its commands in Git Bash, and without it, in PowerShell, which is built into Windows.

How Do You Install Claude Code?

Open the AI sidebar in Ritemark. The first time, it opens on a welcome screen with Sign in with Claude.ai; if another agent is already set up, pick a Claude model in the model menu under the message box. Claude Code ships inside Ritemark, so the sidebar goes straight to sign-in:

  1. Click Sign in with Claude.ai and finish the sign-in in your browser

  2. Or click Use API key instead and paste an Anthropic API key

  3. Start chatting

If the bundled Claude Code cannot start, the sidebar offers Repair Claude. This is the fastest path, and it needs no terminal.

Option 2: Manual Installation

You only need a manual install to run claude in a terminal yourself, or to have Ritemark use your own copy (Settings -> Agent Runtime -> Runtime preference -> Use system install). On Windows, a Claude you install yourself may need Git for Windows, and Ritemark tells you if it is missing. Install Claude Code from your terminal or Ritemark's built-in terminal.

macOS:

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

Windows (PowerShell):

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

Windows (CMD):

curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.cmd -o install.cmd && install.cmd && del install.cmd

Homebrew (macOS/Linux):

brew install --cask claude-code

WinGet (Windows):

winget install Anthropic.ClaudeCode

Note: Homebrew and WinGet installations do not auto-update. Run brew upgrade claude-code or winget upgrade Anthropic.ClaudeCode periodically to get the latest version.

After installation, run claude to authenticate:

claude

This opens your browser for OAuth sign-in with your Claude.ai account. If you prefer using an API key instead, set the environment variable:

export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="sk-ant-your-key-here"

Verify the installation:

claude --version

You can also confirm your setup status in Settings -> Claude Account. This section shows your authentication method, CLI version, and billing source. Settings syncs AI agent status in real time.

How Do You Use Claude Code in Ritemark?

Open the AI sidebar and pick a Claude model in the model menu under the message box. Type your request in the chat input. Claude Code reads your open document and folder and makes the changes you ask for. In Auto, the default, it edits directly. Choose Manual to approve each change, or Plan only to see the plan first.

From the Terminal

Open a folder with markdown files in Ritemark, then start Claude Code in the terminal. It launches an interactive session where you describe what you want in plain language.

claude "make this document more concise"

Try these examples:

claude "in notes.md, add a summary section at the top"
claude "reorganize proposal.md: move conclusions to the end, add an executive summary"
claude "review draft.md and improve the writing style"

What Can Claude Code Do With Your Documents?

Claude Code handles complex writing tasks that would take many copy-paste cycles with a chat-based AI. It reads files, understands context, and makes multi-step edits.

Polish writing:

claude "review draft.md and improve the writing style. Make it more professional."

Expand content:

claude "in blog-post.md, expand the 'Benefits' section with 3 more bullet points"

Restructure documents:

claude "convert meeting-notes.md from paragraphs into a structured outline with headers"

Convert formats:

claude "convert notes.md into a blog post format with introduction and conclusion"

Translate:

claude "translate article.md to Estonian, save as article-et.md"

How Do You Get the Best Results?

Specific prompts produce better results than vague ones. Always reference the filename and describe exactly what outcome you want.

Instead of Say
"improve this" "make the introduction more engaging"
"fix it" "fix the bullet point formatting in the Features section"
"make it better" "simplify the language for a non-technical audience"

Use Version Control as a Safety Net

Git lets you review AI changes and revert anything you do not like:

git commit -am "before AI edits"
# run claude commands
git diff  # review changes
git commit -am "AI: improved writing"  # or git checkout . to undo

How Much Does Claude Code Cost?

There are two billing options:

Claude.ai subscription (OAuth sign-in):

  • Claude Pro and Max subscriptions include Claude Code usage

  • Claude Team and Enterprise plans include Claude Code usage

  • No per-message API costs -- usage is covered by the subscription

  • The free Claude.ai plan does not include Claude Code access

Anthropic API key (usage-based):

  • A typical single-document edit costs $0.01-0.10

  • Heavy daily usage with multiple articles, translations, and batch edits might cost $1-5 per day

  • Costs depend on document length, response length, and the model used

  • Check usage at Anthropic Console

How Does Claude Code Compare to Codex and OpenCode?

Claude Code, Codex and OpenCode all run in the same AI sidebar, for quick rewrites and whole-document changes alike. Claude Code needs a paid Claude plan or an Anthropic API key, Codex your ChatGPT account, and OpenCode your own API keys. You can switch between them in the middle of a conversation.

Troubleshooting

"Command not found: claude"

Restart your terminal or open a new one after installation. If the problem persists, reinstall:

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

On Windows, open a new PowerShell window after installation. You can verify with claude --version or run claude doctor for a detailed check.

Authentication Issues

If OAuth sign-in does not complete, check that your browser opened the authentication page. You can also authenticate manually:

claude auth login

For API key authentication, set the environment variable in your shell profile:

export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="sk-ant-your-key-here"

"Rate limit exceeded"

Wait a few minutes and try again. If you are on an API key, consider upgrading your Anthropic plan for higher limits. Claude Max subscribers have generous rate limits included.

Changes Not Appearing in Editor

Ritemark auto-reloads files within about 1 second. If changes do not appear, save the file manually with Cmd+S or reload the window with Cmd+Shift+P -> Reload Window.

Windows: Ritemark Setup Wizard

If Claude Code does not work on Windows, open the AI sidebar and select "Claude". Ritemark checks the setup and shows what is wrong, and it offers Repair Claude if the bundled copy cannot start. Git for Windows and Node.js come up only if you set Runtime preference to Use system install, because the bundled Claude Code needs neither.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I install Claude Code on macOS?

You do not need to for the AI sidebar: Claude Code ships inside Ritemark. To run it in a terminal yourself, run curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash in any terminal, including Ritemark's built-in terminal. Alternatively, use brew install --cask claude-code if you have Homebrew. Then run claude to authenticate.

Can I use Claude Code without an API key?

Yes. Claude Code supports OAuth sign-in with your Claude.ai account. In the AI sidebar, click Sign in with Claude.ai and your browser opens. You need a paid Claude plan (Pro, Max, Team or Enterprise). An Anthropic API key with billing is still supported as an alternative.

Does Claude Code edit files automatically?

In Ritemark it depends on the mode. Auto, the default, lets Claude Code edit files directly. Manual asks before each file write or command, and Plan only shows a plan before anything changes. Choose Manual or Plan only when you want to review each edit first.

How do I update Claude Code?

The Claude Code inside Ritemark is updated with Ritemark itself. If you installed your own copy, native installations auto-update in the background. To apply an update immediately, run claude update. If you installed via Homebrew, run brew upgrade claude-code. If you installed via WinGet, run winget upgrade Anthropic.ClaudeCode.

Can Claude Code work on multiple files at once?

Yes. Claude Code can read and edit multiple files in your working directory in a single session. It handles batch operations like translating all markdown files in a folder or restructuring an entire documentation set.

What is the difference between Claude Code and ChatGPT?

Claude Code is Anthropic's agent, and it reads and edits files directly in a folder on your computer. ChatGPT's chat, on chatgpt.com or in the desktop app's Chat mode, works on the text in the conversation. The closer match is Codex, OpenAI's agent, which edits files in a folder the same way and signs in with your ChatGPT account. Ritemark runs both in its AI sidebar.

Does Claude Code work with languages other than English?

Yes. Claude Code handles content in any language. You can write prompts in English or your native language, and it can translate between languages while preserving markdown formatting, links, and code blocks.

Can Claude Code access files outside my project folder?

Claude Code operates within the directory where you run it. It reads and writes files within that directory tree. It does not access unrelated directories unless you navigate there.

Does Claude Code work on Windows?

Yes. Claude Code ships inside Ritemark on Windows too, and it needs neither Git nor Node.js. To run Claude Code in a terminal yourself, install it via PowerShell (irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex) or WinGet (winget install Anthropic.ClaudeCode). If you then have Ritemark use that copy, it may need Git for Windows, and Ritemark tells you if it is missing.

Does Ritemark have a setup wizard for Claude Code?

Yes. Open the AI sidebar and pick a Claude model in the model menu under the message box. Claude Code ships inside Ritemark, so the sidebar goes straight to sign-in. If the bundled copy needs repair, the sidebar tells you what to do.

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