You've heard about Claude Code and want to know how to actually get started? You're in exactly the right place. This tutorial walks you through everything from installation to your first working project, without assuming any technical knowledge.
By the end of this guide, you'll have Claude Code installed, launched your first session, understood the essential commands, and built a small project you can show off. Step by step, all explained clearly.
What is Claude Code?
Claude Code is a development assistant tool created by Anthropic, the company behind Claude AI. Unlike a simple chatbot, it can actually touch your files: create code, modify it, run commands, test, and even deploy.
In practice, you launch Claude Code in a folder, explain what you want (in plain English, like you're talking to a friend) and it gets to work. You see files appear, you validate changes, you ask for adjustments. It's more like 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 complete projects, not just the line you're typing.
- It has a "plan" mode that proposes a strategy before coding.
- It adapts to your skill level and explains things clearly.
Install Claude Code in 5 Minutes
Installing Claude Code is simple 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 don't have one. A Claude Pro subscription (around $20 per month) is needed to use Claude Code comfortably. Students can sometimes get discounts through special programs.
Step 2 — Download Claude Code
Go to claude.ai/code. You'll 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 your Applications folder. On Windows, a standard installer guides you through. 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), navigate to the folder where you want to work using 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're back in the terminal. You're ready to go.
Your First Project with Claude Code
The best project to learn with is a simple web page you can see immediately in your browser.
Create an empty folder on your desktop, for example my-first-project. Open a terminal in it and launch claude. Then write this request:
I want to create a simple homepage for my fictional café "The Fox". A background image, a title, a paragraph describing the café, hours of operation, and a button to book a table. I don't know anything about coding, guide me through it.
Claude will probably ask you 2 or 3 questions (what vibe do you want, what colors, etc.). Answer naturally. Then it will create the files: index.html, styles.css, sometimes script.js. You'll see them appear in your folder.
Double-click index.html to open it. Your browser displays the result. It might not be perfect, and that's normal. Go back to the terminal and ask for changes: "Make the title bigger", "Add a dark blue background", "Put a logo in the top left". With each iteration, refresh and see the change.
In 30 to 45 minutes, you'll have a page you're happy with.
The 10 Claude Code Commands You Need 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'll use 80% of the time.
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
/help |
Shows the list of available commands |
/clear |
Clears the history of the current session |
/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 |
Closes the session cleanly |
| Drag a file | Adds the file to context (like an image) |
Type @filename |
Makes Claude read a specific file |
!command |
Runs a shell command without going through Claude |
For the complete list and details on each command, our article 20 Claude Code Commands You Need to Know covers everything.
The CLAUDE.md File, Your Best Friend
The CLAUDE.md file is a small document where you write the rules of your project so Claude remembers them every session. It's like leaving a note for your future self and Claude.
You can put:
- The stack you're using (React, Next.js, Python, etc.)
- Test and build commands
- Code conventions to follow
- Language rules (ex: "all user-facing text in English with proper grammar")
- Areas never to touch
Claude automatically reads this file at the start of each new session. It's the secret to not repeating the same instructions every time. Start small (5-10 lines) and expand as you discover what helps you.
Plan Mode: Think Before Acting
Plan mode is a unique feature that asks Claude to propose a strategy before executing anything. For important tasks, it prevents unwanted surprises.
Type /plan in your session, then state your request. Claude will analyze, ask questions if needed, then present you with a structured plan in several steps. You can accept it, adjust it, or reject it completely. Once approved, Claude executes the plan step by step.
It's especially useful when you're not quite sure what you want yet: Claude helps you clarify.
Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
Here are the 4 pitfalls that systematically block beginners and how to work 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 into small steps.
- Not reading Claude's questions: when it asks something, it really wants your answer. Don't skip it.
- Forgetting to save in git: use git to keep a history of your project. Claude can help you set it up.
Going Further
Claude Code is a deep tool: there's always more to learn. But you don't need to know everything to start building useful things. Progress is continuous: each project makes you better.
If you want a structured learning path, the Skilzy Vibe Coding program walks you through from zero to a real deployed project, with gamified exercises and step-by-step guidance.
The only thing between you and your first project is opening a terminal today.
