For a seamless local development experience with Claude, you can set up a local environment using Docker. This approach offers several advantages, including the ability to quickly spin up a local instance of Claude, isolate the development environment from your host machine, and collaborate with others on the same project.
To begin, ensure that you have Docker installed on your machine. Once Docker is set up, you can clone the Claude GitHub repository and navigate to the directory where it is located. From there, run the following command to build the Docker image:
“`
docker build -t claude-dev .
“`
Setting Up Local Claude Development Environment
To begin working on Claude development locally, you’ll need to install the following tools:
- Node.js version 12 or higher
- Python version 3.7 or higher
- A Python virtual environment
- The Claude CLI
Installing Node.js and npm
To install Node.js and npm, visit the Node.js website and follow the instructions for your operating system. Once Node.js is installed, verify the installation by running the following command in your terminal:
node -v
Installing Python and Creating a Python Virtual Environment
To install Python, visit the Python website and follow the instructions for your operating system. Once Python is installed, create a Python virtual environment using the following command:
python3 -m venv venv
This will create a virtual environment named venv
in the current directory. Activate the virtual environment by running the following command:
source venv/bin/activate
Installing the Claude CLI
To install the Claude CLI, run the following command in your terminal:
npm install -g @netlify/claude-cli
Cloning the Claude Repository
Clone the Claude repository from GitHub by running the following command:
git clone https://github.com/netlify/claude
Installing the Claude Development Dependencies
Install the Claude development dependencies by running the following command in the cloned repository directory:
npm install
Running the Claude Development Server
Start the Claude development server by running the following command in the cloned repository directory:
npm start
The development server will run on port 8000. You can access the Claude dashboard at http://localhost:8000
.
Creating a Claude Project
To create a new Claude project, begin by opening your command-line terminal and navigating to the desired directory. Then, execute the following command:
For Node.js projects:
npx create-claude-app my-app
For Python projects:
pip install claude-dev
claude-dev init my-app
This command will create a new project directory with all the necessary boilerplate code and configuration files. Next, navigate into the newly created project directory using the command:
cd my-app
Now, you can start building and developing your own custom Claude functions or other applications using the available toolkits and resources provided by the Claude Development Kit.
Running and Testing Your Project
Once you have created your Claude project and written some code, you can run and test it locally using the following steps:
For Node.js projects:
1. Install the necessary dependencies using the command:
“`
npm install
“`
2. Run the development server using the command:
“`
npm start
“`
For Python projects:
1. Install the necessary dependencies using the command:
“`
pip install -r requirements.txt
“`
2. Run the development server using the command:
“`
claude-dev run dev
“`
Once the development server is running, you can make changes to your code and see the results immediately. You can also use the command-line interface (CLI) provided by the Claude Development Kit to perform various tasks such as:
– Managing your project
– Building and deploying your functions
– Monitoring your applications
For more information on using the CLI, refer to the official documentation.
Deploying Your Project
When you are ready to deploy your Claude project, you can use the following steps:
1. Log in to your Claude account.
2. Open the project you want to deploy.
3. Click on the “Deploy” tab.
4. Select the function you want to deploy and click on the “Deploy” button.
Your function will now be deployed and can be accessed by anyone with the correct URL.
Running Claude Locally
To run Claude locally, you will need to have Docker installed on your machine. Once you have Docker installed, you can follow these steps:
- Clone the Claude repository from GitHub.
- Create a Docker image from the Claude Dockerfile.
- Run the Claude Docker container.
Running the Claude Docker Container
To run the Claude Docker container, you can use the following command:
“`
docker run -p 8080:8080 claude-dev
“`
This command will run the Claude Docker container on port 8080. You can then access the Claude web interface by visiting http://localhost:8080 in your browser.
The Claude Docker container includes a number of pre-installed packages, including:
- Python 3.6
- Pip
- Flask
- SQLAlchemy
- PostgreSQL
You can use these packages to develop and test your own Claude plugins.
Environment Variable | Description |
---|---|
CLAUSE_DB_USER | Specifies the user account to use for the database. |
CLAUSE_DB_PASSWORD | Specifies the user password to use for the database. |
CLAUSE_DB_NAME | Specifies the name of the database to use. |
CLAUSE_DB_HOST | Specifies the host IP address or name of the database. |
CLAUSE_DB_PORT | Specifies the port to use for the database. |
You can override these environment variables when running the Claude Docker container. For example, to override the database user, you would use the following command:
“`
docker run -p 8080:8080 -e CLAUDE_DB_USER=my_user claude-dev
“`
For more information on using Claude, please refer to the Claude documentation.
Debugging Claude Projects
To debug Claude projects, you can use the following steps:
- Set up logging: Add the following line to your
.claude.yaml
file: - Run your project locally: Use the
claude dev
command to run your project locally. - View the logs: You can view the logs in the console or by using a log viewer such as
tail -f logs/claude.log
. - Use the debugger: You can use the Python debugger (
pdb
) to debug your code. To do this, add the following line to your code:
“`
import pdb; pdb.set_trace()
“`
This will pause the execution of your code and allow you to inspect the variables and call stack.
logging: level: debug
Tips for debugging Claude projects
- Use
print
statements to output debug information. - Use the
logger
module to log messages. - Use the Python debugger (
pdb
) to debug your code. - Set up a breakpoint in your code using the
pdb.set_trace()
function. - Use a logging framework such as Loguru or Logger.
Setting up a logging framework
To set up a logging framework, you can use the following steps:
- Install the logging framework of your choice.
- Add the following line to your
.claude.yaml
file: - Import the logging framework in your code.
- Use the logging framework to log messages.
logging: framework: loggers loggers: default: level: debug
| Logging Framework | Installation Command |
|—|—|
| Loguru | pip install loguru
|
| Logger | pip install logger
|
| Python Logging | pip install python-logging
|
Testing Claude Applications
Claude applications can be tested using a variety of tools and techniques. However, the following steps provide a general overview of how to test a Claude application:
1. Install the Claude CLI
The Claude CLI is required to test Claude applications. You can install it using the following commands:
“`
npm install -g @claudejs/cli
“`
2. Create a Claude project
You can create a Claude project using the following command:
“`
claude create my-project
“`
3. Write your Claude application
You can write your Claude application in any text editor. However, it is recommended to use a code editor that supports Claude syntax highlighting, such as Visual Studio Code.
4. Run your Claude application
You can run your Claude application using the following command:
“`
claude run
“`
5. Test your Claude application
You can test your Claude application using a variety of tools and techniques. However, the following are some of the most common methods:
Method | Description |
---|---|
Unit testing | Unit testing involves testing individual functions or methods in your Claude application. This can be done using a unit testing framework, such as Jest or Mocha. |
Integration testing | Integration testing involves testing how different parts of your Claude application work together. This can be done by mocking external dependencies and testing how your application behaves in different scenarios. |
End-to-end testing | End-to-end testing involves testing your Claude application from start to finish. This can be done by simulating user interactions and verifying that the application behaves as expected. |
Managing Claude Dependencies
Understanding how to manage Claude dependencies is crucial for successful local development. Claude relies on specific Python libraries and packages to function correctly. To ensure a smooth development workflow, it’s necessary to manage these dependencies effectively.
1. Installing Claude
Install Claude using the package manager pip.
pip install claude
2. Creating a Virtual Environment
Consider creating a virtual environment to isolate Claude’s dependencies from the system’s installed packages.
python3 -m venv venv
3. Activating the Virtual Environment
Activate the virtual environment before using Claude.
source venv/bin/activate
4. Installing Claude in the Virtual Environment
Install Claude within the virtual environment.
pip install --upgrade claude
5. Managing Dependencies
Claude has the following dependencies:
Dependency | Version |
---|---|
google-cloud-bigquery | 2.31.1 |
pandas | 1.4.2 |
scipy | 1.8.0 |
scikit-learn | 1.1.1 |
xgboost | 1.6.1 |
These dependencies can be installed using pip or a package manager like conda.
6. Updating Dependencies
To update Claude’s dependencies, first activate the virtual environment, then run the following command:
pip install --upgrade claude-deps
Working with Claude Configurations
Claude supports configuration files that allow you to customize its behavior. Configuration files are stored in JSON format and can be found in the `~/.claude` directory. Each configuration file contains a set of key-value pairs that specify the desired settings.
Here is an example of a configuration file that specifies the default language and port for Claude:
Key | Value |
---|---|
language | en |
port | 3000 |
You can create a new configuration file by running the following command:
claude config create my-config
This will create a new configuration file named `my-config.json` in the `~/.claude` directory.
You can edit a configuration file using any text editor. Once you have made your changes, save the file and restart Claude for the changes to take effect.
Claude provides several built-in configuration options that you can use to customize its behavior. These options include:
- language: The default language for Claude.
- port: The port that Claude listens on.
- theme: The theme that Claude uses.
- editor: The editor that Claude uses to open files.
- fontSize: The font size that Claude uses.
- showHiddenFiles: Whether or not Claude shows hidden files.
- ignorePatterns: A list of file patterns that Claude ignores.
- openAtLogin: Whether or not Claude opens at login.
You can also create your own custom configuration options by adding key-value pairs to your configuration file.
Troubleshooting Claude Local Development
If you encounter issues while running Claude locally, here are some common problems and their solutions:
1. Starting the local server fails
Make sure you have Node.js and npm installed. Check your internet connection and firewall settings. The port 3000 should be available.
2. Cannot connect to the database
Verify that you have set up the database correctly. Check the database connection credentials and ensure that the database is running.
3. Command-line tools not working
Ensure that you have installed the Claude CLI package. Check if the environment variables are set correctly.
4. Errors when running unit tests
Make sure you have installed the necessary testing dependencies. Check the test configurations and ensure that the tests are valid.
5. Code changes not reflected in the local server
Restart the local server after making code changes. Check that the webpack is running and rebuilding the code.
6. Cannot access the local server from other devices
Configure your router to forward port 3000 to the device hosting the local server. Ensure that the firewall allows incoming connections.
7. Performance issues
Optimize the codebase and reduce unnecessary computations. Use caching and profiling tools to identify bottlenecks.
8. Other Errors
Error Message | Possible Causes |
---|---|
Module not found error | Module dependencies not installed or not in the correct path. |
Webpack compilation error | Webpack configuration issues or syntax errors in the code. |
Database connection timeout | Database server is down or under high load. |
Development Setup
Install Node.js, npm, and the Claude CLI using npm i -g @claudejs/cli. Clone the claudejs/claude monorepo and cd into the directory. Install the local dependencies with npm install. Run npm link to link the local claude package to the global installation.
Running Commands Locally
To run Claude commands locally, use the npm run prefix followed by the command name; for example, npm run build or npm run test.
Debugging
To debug Claude locally, add debugger statements to the source code and run npm run debug. This will launch a debugger session in your IDE.
Code Style and Linting
Follow the code style and linting guidelines defined in the claudejs/claude/.eslint.rc.js and claudejs/claude/.prettierrc.js configuration files.
Documentation
Document your code using JSDoc-style comments. The documentation will be automatically generated and published to the Claude website.
Testing
Write unit tests for your code using Jest. Run npm run test to run the tests.
Continuous Integration
Set up a continuous integration pipeline to automatically build, test, and deploy your changes to a staging environment.
Best Practices for Local Claude Development
1. Use a Monorepo
Manage multiple Claude projects in a single monorepo to simplify dependency management and code sharing.
2. Organize Your Codebase
Create logical directories and files to structure your codebase for easy navigation and maintenance.
3. Version Control
Use a version control system like Git to manage your code changes and collaborate with others.
4. Use Debugging Tools
Familiarize yourself with debugging tools such as Node.js’s debugger and Chrome DevTools to troubleshoot issues.
5. Test Regularly
Write unit tests and run them regularly to ensure the correctness of your code.
6. Use the Claude CLI
Utilize the Claude CLI to scaffold new projects, generate code, and manage dependencies.
7. Follow Coding Conventions
Adhere to the coding conventions outlined in the claudejs/claude/.eslint.rc.js and claudejs/claude/.prettierrc.js files.
8. Document Your Code
Use JSDoc-style comments to document your code and improve its readability.
9. Leverage the Community
Engage with the Claude community on GitHub and Discord for support, best practices, and code snippets. Participate in discussions and contribute to the project to enhance its capabilities and broaden your understanding.
Use sys.breakpointhook to set a breakpoint anywhere
To place a breakpoint anywhere in the code, you can use the sys.breakpointhook function. This function is called whenever a breakpoint is hit, and it can be used to set a breakpoint at any arbitrary location in the code. For example, the following code sets a breakpoint at line 10 of the test.py module:
“`python
import sys
sys.breakpointhook = lambda: debugger.set_trace()
debugger.set_trace()
“`
Adding Custom Breakpoints
You can add custom breakpoints to your code using the bdb.Bdb().set_break() method. This method takes two arguments: the filename of the code you want to set a breakpoint in, and the line number of the breakpoint. For example, the following code sets a breakpoint at line 10 of the test.py module:
“`python
import bdb
debugger = bdb.Bdb()
debugger.set_break(‘test.py’, 10)
“`
Using the Debugger GUI
If you are using a debugger with a graphical user interface (GUI), you can set breakpoints by clicking on the line number in the code editor. This will open a dialog box where you can set the breakpoint conditions. For example, you can specify that the breakpoint should only be hit when a certain variable is equal to a certain value.
Conditional Breakpoints
You can set conditional breakpoints to only break when certain conditions are met. For example, you might want to set a breakpoint that only breaks when a certain variable is equal to a certain value. To do this, you can use the bdb.Bdb().set_break() method with the cond argument. The cond argument is a boolean expression that must evaluate to True in order for the breakpoint to be hit. For example, the following code sets a breakpoint at line 10 of the test.py module that only breaks when the x variable is equal to 10:
“`python
import bdb
debugger = bdb.Bdb()
debugger.set_break(‘test.py’, 10, cond=’x == 10′)
“`
Ignoring Breakpoints
You can ignore breakpoints by using the bdb.Bdb().ignore() method. This method takes a breakpoint number as an argument, and it will cause the debugger to ignore that breakpoint. For example, the following code ignores the breakpoint that was set at line 10 of the test.py module:
“`python
import bdb
debugger = bdb.Bdb()
debugger.ignore(10)
“`
Disabling Breakpoints
You can disable breakpoints by using the bdb.Bdb().disable() method. This method takes a breakpoint number as an argument, and it will cause the debugger to disable that breakpoint. For example, the following code disables the breakpoint that was set at line 10 of the test.py module:
“`python
import bdb
debugger = bdb.Bdb()
debugger.disable(10)
“`
Deleting Breakpoints
You can delete breakpoints by using the bdb.Bdb().clear_break() method. This method takes a breakpoint number as an argument, and it will cause the debugger to delete that breakpoint. For example, the following code deletes the breakpoint that was set at line 10 of the test.py module:
“`python
import bdb
debugger = bdb.Bdb()
debugger.clear_break(10)
“`
Listing Breakpoints
You can list all of the breakpoints that have been set by using the bdb.Bdb().list_break() method. This method returns a list of tuples, where each tuple contains the breakpoint number, the filename of the code that the breakpoint is set in, and the line number of the breakpoint. For example, the following code lists all of the breakpoints that have been set:
“`python
import bdb
debugger = bdb.Bdb()
for bp in debugger.list_break():
print(bp)
“`
How To Use Claude Dev Locally
Claude Dev can be used locally by following these steps:
- Clone the Claude Dev repository.
- cd into the Claude Dev directory.
- Run
npm install
to install the necessary dependencies. - Run
npm start
to start the development server. - Open the Claude Dev web interface at
http://localhost:8080
.
People Also Ask
What is Claude Dev?
Claude Dev is a local development environment for Claude, a serverless JavaScript framework.
Why should I use Claude Dev locally?
Claude Dev allows you to develop and test your Claude code locally without having to deploy it to the cloud.
How do I install Claude Dev locally?
To install Claude Dev locally, follow the steps outlined in the “How To Use Claude Dev Locally” section above.