Your First Conversation
Module 2: Setup
The Key Insight
Claude Code is not like other coding tools. You don't need to memorize commands or syntax. You just talk to it like you'd talk to a smart friend who happens to be great at coding.
Ask What It Can Do
Make sure Claude Code is running (type claude in your terminal if not). Then ask:
What can you help me build?
I can help you build all sorts of things! Here are some examples: • Websites and landing pages • Web applications • APIs and backend services • Automation scripts • Data analysis tools • Browser extensions • CLI tools What sounds interesting to you? Or if you have a specific project in mind, tell me about it!
See how conversational that is? No weird commands. Just plain English.
Claude Knows Where You Are
Here's something cool — Claude knows your location on your computer:
What folder am I in right now?
You're currently in: /Users/yourname This is your home directory. It's where your personal folders like Documents, Desktop, and Downloads are located.
This is important. Claude is aware of your file system and can work with your actual files and folders.
Create a Project Folder
Good practice: keep each project in its own folder. Let's create one.
First, exit Claude Code (press Ctrl+C or type exit) and run these terminal commands:
📋 Copy this command:
mkdir ~/my-landing-page && cd ~/my-landing-page && claude
Let Claude Create a Project Structure
Ask Claude to set up a basic project:
Create a basic folder structure for a landing page project
I'll create a clean folder structure for your landing page. ✓ Created css/ folder ✓ Created js/ folder ✓ Created images/ folder ✓ Created index.html ✓ Created css/styles.css ✓ Created js/main.js Your project structure: my-landing-page/ ├── css/ │ └── styles.css ├── js/ │ └── main.js ├── images/ └── index.html Ready to start building!
Just like that, Claude created a real project structure on your computer. Those folders and files actually exist now!
Claude Can Read Your Files
Claude can read any file in your project. Let's see what it created:
Read the index.html file and tell me what's in it
Here's what's in index.html: It's a basic HTML5 template with: • DOCTYPE declaration • Head section with meta tags and CSS link • Empty body ready for your content • Script tag linking to main.js It's a clean starting point. Want me to add something specific to it?
Key Insight: Claude can read, understand, and modify your actual files. It's not just a chatbot — it's a coding partner that works with your real project.
What you just did: You've learned how to have a conversation with Claude Code and let it create files for you. In the final lesson, you'll build something real.