Everything you need to run modern AI tools on a Windows PC — Claude Code, Codex, Gemini, Tailscale, and Ollama. Do it once, then repeat on every machine.
Works on Windows 10 (22H2) and Windows 11. You'll mostly be typing into a black window called a terminal — don't worry, every command is here to copy.
Windows Terminal is the modern black command window. winget is Windows' built-in app installer — it downloads and installs software with one line, so you don't hunt for download buttons.
Why this first: every tool below installs through the terminal. Get comfortable here and the rest is copy-paste.
Open a terminalPress the Windows key, type terminal, right-click Windows Terminal and choose Run as administrator. On Windows 11 it's already installed; on Windows 10 get it free from the Microsoft Store ("Windows Terminal").
winget --version
v1.x. If it says "not recognized," update "App Installer" from the Microsoft Store, then reopen the terminal.winget install OpenJS.NodeJS.LTS
Close the terminal and open a new one after this so it picks up Node. Then confirm:
node --version npm --version
v22.x.x and 10.x.x).Many AI tools feel more at home on Linux. WSL2 gives you Ubuntu in a window without touching your Windows install. You don't need it to start, but it's the smoothest path long-term.
wsl --install
Anthropic's AI coding agent — the same kind of assistant that built this page. It lives in your terminal, reads and edits real files, and runs commands for you.
Why you want it: it does actual multi-step work (build a site, fix a script, organize files), not just chat.
InstallThe simplest, most reliable way on Windows is through npm (which you just installed with Node):
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
There's also a native one-line installer if you prefer; run it in PowerShell:
irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iexStart it & log in
Go into any folder you want to work in, then launch:
claude
The first run opens your browser to sign in to your Anthropic account (a Claude subscription or API credit). After that, just type what you want in plain English.
claude --version prints a version, and typing claude drops you into a prompt that greets you.OpenAI's command-line coding agent. Same idea as Claude Code, different brain — handy as a second opinion or when you've used up one tool's quota.
Why you want it: variety. Different models are stronger at different things; having both means you're never stuck.
Installnpm install -g @openai/codexStart it & log in
codex
First run lets you sign in with your ChatGPT/OpenAI account (or an API key). Then describe what you want, same as Claude.
codex --version prints a version and codex opens its prompt.Google's command-line AI agent. Notable for a very generous free tier and an enormous memory (context window) for long documents.
Why you want it: free headroom. Great for big, sprawling tasks before you spend on the others.
Installnpm install -g @google/gemini-cliStart it & log in
gemini
First run opens your browser to sign in with a Google account. The free tier is large — you likely won't pay anything to start.
gemini --version prints a version and gemini opens its prompt.A coding agent from Nous Research — "the agent that grows with you." Same idea as Claude Code, Codex, and Gemini, with two twists: it's self-improving (it learns your preferences over time), and it's model-agnostic — you point it at whichever brain you want (Nous, OpenAI, Anthropic, OpenRouter, and more).
Why you'd add it: it's a fourth tool in the rotation and the most model-flexible of the bunch — handy for staying un-locked-in (see the future-proofing principles).
wsl --install). So this one lives in your WSL2 window, not plain PowerShell.Open your Ubuntu (WSL2) window, then run the one-line installer — it sets up everything it needs (Python, Node.js, ripgrep, ffmpeg):
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/main/scripts/install.sh | bashAlternative: install with pip (if you already have Python)
pip install hermes-agent hermes postinstall
hermes postinstall pulls in the extra pieces (Node.js, browser, ripgrep, ffmpeg) and runs the setup wizard.
hermes setup # configure it the first time hermes --tui # start it (modern terminal UI, recommended)
During setup it asks how you want to sign in — an API key, or an OAuth login via hermes setup --portal. It works with the Nous Portal, OpenAI, Anthropic, OpenRouter, and others, so you can reuse an account you already have.
hermes --version prints a version, and hermes --tui opens its interface.A private network (a "mesh VPN") that connects all your devices to each other securely — your 12 PCs, your Macs, your phone, your NAS — as if they were in the same room, from anywhere in the world.
Why you want it: this is the glue. Once every device is on Tailscale, you can reach any of them — to share one Ollama for the whole house, or to control a PC from your phone (see the iOS and Android guides).
Installwinget install tailscale.tailscale
Or download the installer directly from tailscale.com/download/windows.
Sign inAfter install, a Tailscale icon appears in the system tray (bottom-right). Click it → Log in, and sign in with the same account on every device. Use the same login everywhere so they all join one private network.
tailscale status — it lists this machine and any others already signed in, each with a 100.x.y.z address.cc-office-pc, hs-mac-mini).Runs AI models on your own PC instead of the cloud — free, private, and works offline. Good for chat, summarizing, and coding help without a subscription.
Why you want it: no per-use cost, nothing leaves your machine, and combined with Tailscale (Step 5) one beefy PC can serve models to your phone and every other device.
Installwinget install Ollama.Ollama
Or download from ollama.com/download/windows.
Download and run your first modelOpen a new terminal and pull a small, capable model:
ollama run llama3.2
The first run downloads the model (a couple of GB), then you can chat right in the terminal. Type /bye to leave.
>>> prompt and answers a question you type.llama3.2 and go bigger only if it's smooth.setx OLLAMA_HOST "0.0.0.0:11434", then restart Ollama. Other devices reach it at this PC's Tailscale address on port 11434.This PC can now run three cloud AI agents, sits on your private Tailscale network, and serves local models with Ollama. Repeat steps 2–6 on your other Windows machines — it goes fast once you've done one.