1 of 8 · 20 min2 exercises · 1 quiz

Getting Started with Claude Code

By the end of this lesson you will have Claude Code installed, running, and will have built your first project with it.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Understand what Claude Code is and how it differs from chatbots
2. Install Claude Code and launch your first session
3. Use essential slash commands (/help, /model, /clear, /compact)
4. Build a working project using only natural language

What is Claude Code?

Claude Code is an AI coding agent that lives in your terminal. Unlike chatbots that generate text you copy-paste, Claude Code reads your files, edits your code, runs your tests, and executes shell commands directly in your project. It is a teammate, not a clipboard.

It sees your entire codebase, understands context across files, and makes changes surgically. You describe what you want in plain English and it does the work.

Feature	AI Chatbot	Claude Code
Code delivery	Copy-paste from chat	Writes directly to files
File access	None	Full project read/write
Run commands	No	Yes — tests, builds, git
Context	Single conversation	Entire codebase
Workflow	You do the work	Agent does the work

Installing Claude Code

Pick the method that matches your system:

macOS (Homebrew): brew install claude-code
npm (any platform): npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
Quick run (no install): npx @anthropic-ai/claude-code

After installing, run claude in any project directory to start a session.

⚡

Try This: Install and Launch Claude Code

# In your terminal: npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code cd ~/my-project claude

You should see the Claude Code CLI interface with a prompt ready for your input.

Your First Session

Open your terminal, navigate to a project folder, and type claude. You will see an interactive CLI where you type natural language instructions. Try these essential slash commands:

/help

See all commands

/model

Switch Haiku/Sonnet/Opus

/clear

Reset conversation

/compact

Compress context

Build Something Immediately

Do not just read about it. The best way to learn is by doing. Copy the prompt below and paste it directly into Claude Code.

⚡

Try This: Build a Todo App

"Build a simple todo app with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Include add, complete, and delete functionality. Save it as todo.html."

Claude creates a working todo.html file you can open in your browser with full add/complete/delete functionality.

Key Concepts

Context Window

How much code Claude can "see" at once. Larger projects need smart file selection. When the window fills up, use /compact to compress.

Tools

Claude Code uses 5 core tools: Read (view files), Write (create files), Edit (modify files), Bash (run commands), Grep (search code).

Permissions

You approve or deny each tool use. Trust builds over time. You can configure auto-approval for safe tools in settings.

Models

Haiku = fast and cheap. Sonnet = balanced. Opus = deep reasoning. Start with Sonnet, switch to Opus for architecture decisions.

Knowledge Check

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What makes Claude Code different from a regular AI chatbot?

Key Takeaways

✓Claude Code is an agent, not a chatbot — it reads, writes, and executes directly in your project
✓Install with npm, Homebrew, or npx — then type "claude" to start
✓Four essential commands: /help, /model, /clear, /compact
✓Three model tiers: Haiku (fast), Sonnet (balanced), Opus (deep)
✓The fastest way to learn is to build something immediately

NEXT UP

Lesson 2: Working with Files and Tools →

← Back to Course Next: Working with Files and Tools →