diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index a4ed4977..20f4ea48 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -33,8 +33,11 @@ The installer:
 2. Runs YADR's native `rake install` for vim/prezto/plugins
 3. Deploys the personal dotfiles on top of `$HOME`, moving any collisions to
    `~/.drunkendotfiles.bak.<timestamp>/`
+4. Installs [Claude Code](https://claude.ai/code) (Anthropic's CLI) if it
+   isn't already on the machine — set `DRUNKENDOTFILES_SKIP_CLAUDE=1` to
+   skip this step
 
-Requires `git` and `rake` (ruby).
+Requires `git`, `rake` (ruby), and `curl`.
 
 ## Upgrading
 
diff --git a/install.sh b/install.sh
index 55f924eb..d94b6e40 100755
--- a/install.sh
+++ b/install.sh
@@ -110,10 +110,26 @@ for f in "${PERSONAL_FILES[@]}"; do deploy_one "$f"; done
 for d in "${PERSONAL_DIRS[@]}"; do deploy_one "$d"; done
 
 # .local/bin/claude is a relative symlink to ../share/claude/versions/...
-# If that target isn't present on this machine, remove the dangling link.
+# If that target isn't present on this machine, remove the dangling link so
+# Claude Code's own installer (next step) can manage it.
 if [ -L "$HOME/.local/bin/claude" ] && [ ! -e "$HOME/.local/bin/claude" ]; then
   rm "$HOME/.local/bin/claude"
-  info "(skipped .local/bin/claude: target not present on this machine)"
+fi
+
+# 4. Install Claude Code (Anthropic's CLI). Skip if already installed or
+# explicitly opted out via DRUNKENDOTFILES_SKIP_CLAUDE=1.
+if [ "${DRUNKENDOTFILES_SKIP_CLAUDE:-0}" = "1" ]; then
+  info "Skipping Claude Code install (DRUNKENDOTFILES_SKIP_CLAUDE=1)"
+elif have claude || [ -x "$HOME/.local/bin/claude" ]; then
+  info "Claude Code already installed ($(claude --version 2>/dev/null || echo 'version unknown'))"
+else
+  log "Installing Claude Code"
+  if have curl; then
+    curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash \
+      || warn "Claude Code install failed; continuing. Install manually with: curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash"
+  else
+    warn "curl not found; skipping Claude Code install"
+  fi
 fi
 
 # Ensure +x on user scripts