What exactly is Claude Code?

Claude Code is a development assistant tool created by Anthropic, the company behind Claude. It lives in your terminal or code editor and can read, write, execute code, and run commands for you. Unlike a simple chatbot, it can actually modify your project: create files, install dependencies, test, deploy.

Claude Code requires a Claude subscription (Pro or Max). The Pro version costs around 20 dollars per month and is more than enough to learn and run personal projects. There is also an enterprise plan with higher quotas. Students and open source developers can sometimes access discounted rates through dedicated programs.

Do I need to be a developer to use Claude Code?

No. Claude Code was designed to be accessible to beginners. You talk to Claude in natural English, explain what you want, and it handles the code. It is particularly good for learning in real time, because it explains what it is doing when you ask.

Which systems does Claude Code work on?

Claude Code works on macOS, Windows (via WSL or native), and Linux. There is also an official extension for Visual Studio Code and JetBrains. A browser is enough to use it via claude.ai/code in its web version. Installation takes less than 5 minutes on any of these environments.

How is Claude Code different from Cursor or GitHub Copilot?

Cursor is a full code editor with built-in AI for autocompletion. GitHub Copilot is an extension that suggests code as you type. Claude Code is different: it is an agent that actually executes complete tasks (creating an entire project, fixing a complex bug, deploying). It is less about autocompletion and more like a teammate working autonomously.

Claude Code: The Complete Beginner's Tutorial (2026)

You have heard about Claude Code and you want to know how to get started concretely? You are in exactly the right place. This tutorial walks you through from installation to your first working project, without assuming anything about your technical background.

By the end of this guide, you will have installed Claude Code, launched your first session, understood the essential commands, and built a small project you can show off. Everything in English, step by step.

What is Claude Code?

Claude Code is a development assistant tool created by Anthropic, the company behind the Claude AI. Unlike a simple chatbot, it can actually touch your files: create code, modify it, run commands, test, and even deploy.

Concretely, you launch Claude Code in a folder, explain what you want (in natural English sentences), and it gets to work. You see files appear, you review, you request adjustments. It is more of a teammate than a tool.

What makes it unique compared to competitors like Cursor or GitHub Copilot:

It actually executes actions in your environment (not just suggestions).
It understands entire projects, not just the line you are currently writing.
It has a "plan" mode that proposes a plan before coding.
It speaks fluent English and adapts to your level.

Install Claude Code in 5 Minutes

Installing Claude Code takes 3 simple steps and works on Mac, Windows, and Linux.

Step 1 — Create or log into your Claude account

Go to claude.ai and create an account if you do not have one. A Claude Pro subscription (around 20 dollars per month) is required to use Claude Code comfortably. Students can benefit from reduced rates through certain programs.

Step 2 — Download Claude Code

Go to claude.ai/code. You will see a "Download Claude Code" button. Choose your platform (macOS, Windows, Linux). The file is about 50 MB and the installer is officially signed by Anthropic.

On macOS, Claude Code installs like a normal app in the Applications folder. On Windows, a classic installer guides you. On Linux, you use a deb or rpm package depending on your distribution.

Step 3 — Launch your first session

Open a terminal (Terminal on Mac, PowerShell on Windows), go to the folder where you want to work with cd /path/to/folder, then type:

claude

The first time, Claude Code will ask you to log in. A browser opens, you confirm, and you return to the terminal. You are ready.

Your First Project with Claude Code

The best project to learn is a small web page you can see immediately in your browser.

Create an empty folder on your desktop, for example my-first-project. Open the terminal inside it and run claude. Then write this request:

I want to create a simple homepage for my fictional coffee shop "The Fox". A background photo, a title, a paragraph describing the café, opening hours, and a button to book a table. I do not know anything about code, guide me through it.

Claude will probably ask you 2 or 3 questions (what atmosphere, which colors, etc.). Answer naturally. Then it will create the files: index.html, styles.css, sometimes script.js. You will see them appear in the folder.

Open index.html by double-clicking it. Your browser displays the result. It might be imperfect, and that is normal. Go back to the terminal and request changes: "Make the title bigger", "Use a navy blue background", "Add a logo in the top left". With each iteration, you refresh and see the change.

In 30 to 45 minutes, you have a page you like.

The 10 Claude Code Commands to Know

A few special commands let you get the most out of Claude Code without reading the entire documentation. Here are the ones you will use 80% of the time.

Command	What it does
`/help`	Shows the list of available commands
`/clear`	Clears the current session history
`/model`	Changes the model used (Opus, Sonnet, Haiku)
`/init`	Creates a CLAUDE.md file to document the project
`/plan`	Switches to plan mode before executing
`/compact`	Summarizes the conversation to free up memory
`/exit`	Cleanly closes the session
Drag a file	Adds the file to context (like an image)
Write `@filename`	Makes Claude read a specific file
`!command`	Runs a shell command without going through Claude

For the full list and details of each command, our article the 20 essential Claude Code commands covers everything.

The CLAUDE.md File, Your Best Ally

The CLAUDE.md file is a small document where you write your project's rules so Claude remembers them in every session. It is like leaving a post-it note for your future self and for Claude.

You can include:

The stack used (React, Next.js, Python, etc.)
Test and build commands
Code conventions to follow
Language rules (e.g., "all user-facing texts in English")
Areas never to touch

Claude automatically reads this file at each new session. It is the secret to not repeating the same instructions every time. Start small (5-10 lines) and expand as you identify what works for you.

Plan Mode: Think Before Acting

Plan mode is a unique feature that asks Claude to propose a plan before executing anything. On important tasks, it prevents unpleasant surprises.

Type /plan in your session, then make your request. Claude will analyze, ask questions if needed, then present a structured plan in several steps. You can accept it, adjust it, or completely reject it. Once validated, Claude executes the plan step by step.

It is particularly useful when you do not yet know exactly what you want: Claude helps you frame it.

Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

Here are the 4 traps that systematically block beginners and how to get around them.

Launching Claude in your home folder: always launch it in a dedicated subfolder. Otherwise it has access to everything.
Asking for multiple features at once: "Build a complete e-commerce site" → break it down into small steps.
Not reading Claude's questions: when it asks a question, it is really waiting for your answer. Do not skip.
Forgetting to save to git: use git to keep a history of your project. Claude can help you install it.

Going Further

Claude Code is a deep tool: there is always more to learn. But you do not need to know everything to start creating useful things. Progress is continuous: each project makes you better.

If you want a structured learning path in English, Skilzy's Vibe Coding program walks you through from zero to a real deployed project, with gamified exercises and 100% free.

The only thing separating you from your first project is opening a terminal today.