Skip to content
BrainRoad BrainRoad
Documentation Menu

Claude Code CLI

Use the preinstalled Claude Code CLI in your helper's workspace for coding tasks, file editing, and scripting.

On this page

What It Is

Every BrainRoad helper workspace ships with Claude Code preinstalled as a native binary at ~/.local/bin/claude. It is ready to run from the Console.

Claude Code is Anthropic’s official coding CLI. It can read and edit files, run shell commands, search a codebase, and work through multi-step coding tasks from the terminal.

Requirements

Claude Code needs your own Anthropic API key. Add one on the Helper page under the API Keys tab, or set it directly in the Console session:

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

The BrainRoad trial key is an OpenRouter key, and Claude Code does not use it. Without a direct Anthropic key, Claude Code will not work, and usage on your own key is billed by Anthropic, separately from your BrainRoad subscription.

Quick Start

Open the Console and run:

claude "explain what files are in the current directory"

For an interactive session:

claude

This starts a back-and-forth conversation where Claude can read and modify files in the workspace.

For one-shot, non-interactive output (useful in scripts):

claude --print "summarize this directory"

How It Differs from Your Helper

Your BrainRoad helper handles ongoing business work: reading its inbox, drafting replies for your review, and working from your Business Brain. Claude Code is a focused coding tool for file and development work inside the workspace. They complement each other.

Also Preinstalled

The workspace includes other developer tools ready to use:

ToolCommandWhat It Does
OpenAI Codex CLIcodexOpenAI’s coding agent (needs your OPENAI_API_KEY)
HomebrewbrewInstall additional packages
uvuvFast Python package manager
BunbunFast JavaScript runtime and package manager
Node.js 24nodeJavaScript runtime