You've heard everyone talking about Claude Code — the AI that can actually build things for you. But every tutorial starts with "open your terminal" and suddenly it feels way too technical.

Good news: You don't need to touch the terminal.

This guide shows you how to set up Claude Code using Google's free tool called Antigravity. It looks like a normal code editor, and it takes less than 5 minutes.

What You're Setting Up

Antigravity is Google's free AI coding tool. Think of it like a smart workspace where AI can help you build things.

Claude Code is an extension you add to Antigravity. It's the AI brain that actually understands what you want and builds it for you.

When you put them together, you can describe what you want in plain English — and watch it get built.

What You'll Need

  • A computer (Mac, Windows, or Linux)
  • A Google account (the same one you use for Gmail)
  • About 5 minutes

That's it. No coding experience required.

Step-by-Step Setup

Step 1: Download Antigravity

Go to antigravity.google and click Download.

Choose the version for your computer (Mac, Windows, or Linux) and install it like any other app.

Tip: It's completely free. No credit card needed.

Step 2: Sign In With Your Google Account

Open Antigravity after it's installed.

You'll see a sign-in screen. Click Sign in with Google and use your regular Google account.

Once you're signed in, you'll see a clean workspace that looks similar to other code editors.

Step 3: Create a Folder for Your Project

Before you start building, you need a folder to keep your project files organized.

  1. Click File in the top menu
  2. Click Open Folder (or "New Folder")
  3. Create a new folder somewhere easy to find (like your Desktop)
  4. Name it something simple like my-first-project
  5. Click Open

Why this matters: Claude Code needs a "home" for your project. This folder is where all your files will live.

Step 4: Install the Claude Code Extension

Now let's add Claude Code to Antigravity.

  1. Look for the Extensions icon on the left sidebar (it looks like 4 small squares)
  2. Click it to open the Extensions panel
  3. In the search bar, type Claude Code
  4. Find the Claude Code extension and click Install

Wait a few seconds for it to install. You'll know it worked when you see a new Claude icon appear.

Step 5: Open Claude Code

Look for the Claude icon — it should now be visible in your sidebar or in the top corner of Antigravity.

Click it to open the Claude Code panel.

You'll see a chat-like interface where you can talk to Claude.

Step 6: Initialize Your Project

This is the important part. Type this command into the Claude Code chat:

/init

Press Enter.

What this does: This creates a special file called CLAUDE.md in your project folder. Think of it as Claude's "memory file" — it helps Claude remember important details about your project so you don't have to repeat yourself.

You'll see Claude create the file and confirm it's ready.

Step 7: Start Building (Plan Mode)

Now you're ready to build something!

To get the best results, use Plan Mode. This tells Claude to think through the problem first before writing any code.

Here's how:

  1. Press Shift + Tab to enter Plan Mode (or type /plan in the chat)
  2. Tell Claude what you want to build in plain English

Example prompts you can try:

  • "Build me a simple landing page for a coffee shop"
  • "Create a to-do list app that saves my tasks"
  • "Make a calculator that works in the browser"

Claude will ask clarifying questions, create a plan, and then start building.

You're Done! 🎉

That's the entire setup:

  1. ✅ Downloaded Antigravity
  2. ✅ Signed in with Google
  3. ✅ Created a project folder
  4. ✅ Installed Claude Code extension
  5. ✅ Opened Claude Code
  6. ✅ Ran /init to create the memory file
  7. ✅ Used Plan Mode to start building

No terminal. No complex commands. Just speak to it and it builds.

Quick Reference

Common Questions

Do I need to know how to code?

No. You describe what you want in plain English. Claude writes the code.

Is Antigravity really free?

Yes. Google offers it for free. Claude Code may have usage limits depending on your plan.

What if I mess something up?

Press Esc twice to undo. Or type /rewind. Nothing is permanent.

Can I use this for real projects?

Absolutely. People are building apps, websites, automations, and more with this exact setup.

What's Next?

Now that you're set up, here are some things to explore:

  • Try building something small — a simple webpage, a calculator, a personal dashboard
  • Use Plan Mode for bigger ideas — Claude works best when it can think first
  • Add to your CLAUDE.md file — teach Claude your preferences so it gets better over time

Resources