How to Run AI Agents on Linux or Windows - A Guide

The most common question after my talk at the entrepreneurs’ club: “Do I really need to buy a Mac?”

No. AI agents work on Linux and Windows. In this article — three ways to run Claude Code on your own computer or server. No Mac, no programming, 20 minutes.

But first — let’s be honest about the limitations.

What You Can and Can’t Do Without macOS

Claude Code on Linux and Windows is fully functional: terminal, content generation, coding, file management, web search. For 90% of an entrepreneur’s tasks, that’s more than enough.

But some things are only available on macOS:

Feature	Linux / Windows	macOS
Claude Code (terminal, agents)	Yes	Yes
Generating texts, posts, strategies	Yes	Yes
Generating and editing images	Yes	Yes
Working with files, code, APIs	Yes	Yes
Web search and website analysis	Yes	Yes
Computer Use (AI controls the screen)	No	Yes
iOS app development (Xcode)	No	Yes
Claude Code desktop app	No	Yes

If you’re an entrepreneur and want an AI assistant for content, strategy, analytics — Linux and Windows are a perfect fit.

If you want to build iOS apps or need an AI that clicks around the screen on its own — you’ll need a Mac.

Two Paths: Quick and DIY

Cloud vs Computer

Path 1: Ready-Made Solution (Quick Start)

Option A — Telegram Agent (from 5 000 rub/month)

We set up an AI agent tailored to your business and give you access through a Telegram bot. You chat via text or voice — the agent responds, generates content, analyzes photos.

No computer needed, no technical skills required
Runs on our server 24/7
First week — free

Option B — Ready-Made AI Computer (15 000 rub)

Assembled at IZI Electronics store (Kemerovo) with everything pre-installed:

Intel Core i3 processor
16 GB RAM
256 GB SSD
Linux Ubuntu + Claude Code + all tools

Plug it in, turn it on, enter your subscription key — you’re working.

Claude subscription: from $20/month (~2 000 rub) — paid separately on the Anthropic website.

Path 2: Do It Yourself (Free, Except for the Subscription)

If you already have a computer — you can set everything up yourself. Below is a step-by-step guide for three options.

Option 1: Cloud VPS Server

Cost: from 800 rub/month (server) + from 2 000 rub/month (Claude subscription)

Best if you don’t want to install anything on your own computer.

Terminal with Claude Code

Step 1: Rent a Server

Recommended provider: Hetzner (hetzner.com)

Plan CX22 (2 vCPU, 4 GB RAM, 40 GB SSD) — 450 rub/month
Or CX32 (4 vCPU, 8 GB RAM, 80 GB SSD) — 800 rub/month
OS when creating: Ubuntu 24.04

Alternatives: Timeweb Cloud, Selectel, DigitalOcean.

Step 2: Connect to the Server

On Windows: download PuTTY or Windows Terminal. On Mac: open Terminal.

ssh root@your_ip_address

Step 3: Install Claude Code

apt update && apt upgrade -y

curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_22.x | bash -
apt install -y nodejs

npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

apt install -y ffmpeg python3-pip git
pip3 install --break-system-packages Pillow requests httpx

Step 4: Authorize

claude

Follow the on-screen instructions — you’ll need to enter your Anthropic subscription key.

Step 5: Get to Work

claude

claude -p "Come up with 5 post ideas for an electronics store"

Option 2: Your Own Linux Computer

Cost: 0 rub (if you have a PC) + from 2 000 rub/month (Claude subscription)

Best if you have an old or new PC and you’re ready to install Linux instead of Windows.

Minimum Computer Requirements

Spec	Minimum	Recommended
Processor	Intel i3 / AMD Ryzen 3	Intel i5 / AMD Ryzen 5
RAM	4 GB	8-16 GB
Storage	120 GB SSD	256 GB SSD
Internet	Stable	Stable
Graphics card	Not needed	Not needed

Important: A graphics card is NOT needed. All the “smart” work happens in the cloud on Anthropic’s servers. Your computer just sends requests and receives responses.

Step 1: Install Ubuntu

Download Ubuntu 24.04 LTS: ubuntu.com/download/desktop
Write it to a USB drive (8 GB+) using Rufus (Windows) or balenaEtcher
Boot from the USB drive (F12 or Del at startup)
Choose “Install Ubuntu” and follow the instructions
Reboot

Step 2: Open the Terminal

Press Ctrl+Alt+T or find “Terminal” in the applications menu.

Step 3: Run the Installation

Copy and paste this entire command:

curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_22.x | sudo bash - && \
sudo apt install -y nodejs ffmpeg python3-pip git && \
sudo npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code && \
sudo pip3 install --break-system-packages Pillow requests httpx && \
echo "Done! Run: claude"

Step 4: Authorize and Start Working

claude

Option 3: Windows (via WSL2)

Cost: 0 rub + from 2 000 rub/month (Claude subscription)

Best if you don’t want to get rid of Windows.

Step 1: Enable WSL2

Open PowerShell as Administrator and run:

wsl --install

Restart your computer. On boot, create a login and password for Ubuntu.

Step 2: Install Claude Code

In the Ubuntu terminal (WSL2):

curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_22.x | sudo bash - && \
sudo apt install -y nodejs && \
sudo npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code && \
echo "Done! Run: claude"

Step 3: Get to Work

claude

Claude Subscription — What to Choose

Plan	Price	Who It’s For
Claude Pro	$20/month (~2 000 rub)	Trying it out, personal use
Claude Max 5x	$100/month (~10 000 rub)	Active work, multiple agents
Claude Max 20x	$200/month (~20 000 rub)	Full-scale AI team
API (Console)	Per token	For developers

To start, Claude Pro at $20/month is enough. Sign up: claude.ai

What to Do After Installation

Get acquainted — just talk to Claude, tell it about your business
Give it a task — “Create a weekly content plan for my store”
Try generation — “Generate an image for a post about the new iPhone”
Automate — set up agents for recurring tasks

Ready-Made Solutions from IZI Electronics

If you don’t want to figure it out yourself — we’ll do everything for you.

AI Computer — 15 000 rub

Desktop: i3 / 16 GB / SSD 256 GB
Pre-installed Ubuntu + Claude Code
All tools configured
You just need to enter your subscription key

AI Agent in Telegram — from 5 000 rub/month

Personal agent tailored to your business
Runs 24/7 on our server
Text and voice communication
Content generation, strategy, analytics
First week — free

Contacts

IZI Electronics store: Ostrovskogo 27, Laplandiya Mall, Kemerovo
Phone: +7-904-372-71-11
Telegram: @Magic4e