Claude Code guide
Claude Code: The Practical Guide to Building With It
Claude Code is an AI coding agent that reads your project, edits files and runs commands from a plain-English request. This guide maps what to learn, in order, with a full tutorial for each part.
Claude Code is Anthropic's AI coding agent. You describe what you want in plain English, and it reads your project, writes the code, runs commands and checks its work. It runs in your terminal, a desktop app and code editors, and you stay in control of what it's allowed to do.
This page is the map. Each section explains one part of Claude Code, then points to a full tutorial. If you're new, go top to bottom. If you already use it daily, jump to what you're missing.
What is Claude Code?
Claude Code is a tool that does software work on your computer, using Claude as its brain. Instead of copying code from a chat window, you give it a job and it works inside your real project. It can change many files, run tests and use outside tools.
You don't have to be a developer to get value from it. Plenty of people use it to build internal tools, automate reports and make websites. Start with Claude Code for non-developers if that's you.
How a Claude Code job works
- 1You describe the jobIn plain English
- 2Claude reads the projectFiles, CLAUDE.md, tools
- 3It proposes and editsYou approve what matters
- 4It tests the workRuns commands, fixes errors
- 5You review and shipCommit and deploy
Each session teaches you what to add to your setup.
Set up your project
The biggest upgrade you can make is telling Claude Code how your project works. A CLAUDE.md file holds your rules, commands and conventions, and it loads at the start of each session. Without it, you repeat yourself.
- See CLAUDE.md file examples you can copy and adapt.
- Add a status line so you can always see context use, cost and your git branch.
Extend what it can do
Claude Code gets far more useful once you add your own abilities. There are four main ways, and it's worth knowing which job each one does.
| Feature | What it does | Learn it |
|---|---|---|
| Skills | Reusable instructions Claude loads when relevant | Create Claude Code skills |
| Subagents | Helpers that do a focused job and report back | Subagents tutorial |
| Hooks | Commands that run automatically at set moments | Hooks tutorial |
| Plugins | Installable packages of all of the above | Claude Code plugins |
Still unsure which one to use? Start with a skill. It's the simplest of the four, and you can move up to the others when you need them.
Connect your tools with MCP
MCP is how Claude Code talks to outside systems, like GitHub, your database or your CRM. Once a server is connected, Claude can read data and take actions there without you copying things between windows.
- Learn how to add an MCP server to Claude Code.
- Pick from the best MCP servers for Claude Code.
- Go further and build your own MCP server.
Give each server only the access it needs, and keep actions that change data behind an approval.
Work faster and safer
Good habits matter more than clever prompts. Ask Claude to plan before it changes anything big, and run separate tasks in separate workspaces so they don't collide.
- Plan mode lets Claude research and propose before it edits.
- Git worktrees let you run several sessions on one repository.
- Headless mode runs Claude Code from scripts and schedules.
- Agent teams coordinate several sessions on one larger job.
Ship real projects
Claude Code is most valuable when something real goes live. These tutorials take you from a working idea to a project other people can use:
- Use Claude Code with GitHub to save and review your work.
- Connect Supabase for a database and logins.
- Deploy your app to Vercel to put it online.
- Build a client portal as a full example of paid work.
Build AI agents
You can also use Claude to build agents that run on their own, outside of your terminal. The Claude Agent SDK tutorial shows how to create one in code.
What Claude Code costs
You can use Claude Code through a paid Claude plan or by paying for API usage. The right choice depends on how much you use it, and long sessions use far more than short ones. See the full breakdown of how much Claude Code costs.
Two habits keep usage down: start a fresh session for each new task, and keep your CLAUDE.md short. A status line helps here too, because you can see usage as you go.
How it compares
Claude Code isn't the only option, and the right tool depends on how you like to work. An agent in the terminal suits bigger jobs, while an editor suits close, line-by-line work. Many people use more than one.
- Claude Code vs Codex
- Claude Code vs Cursor
- Codex CLI tutorial, if you want to try OpenAI's version
Using Claude Code for client work
If you build for clients, Claude Code lets a small team deliver much more. It's only half the job, though: you still need an offer, a clear scope and clients. Our AI automation agency guide covers that side, and 24 AI automation examples shows what people pay for.
For structured training, see Claude Code for agencies. To learn alongside other builders, join the Claude Code community.
FAQ
What is Claude Code used for?
It's used for writing and fixing code, building apps and internal tools, automating repeated work and connecting systems together. Non-developers use it for websites, reports and small business tools, because they can describe the job in plain English.
Do I need to know how to code to use Claude Code?
No, but it helps to learn the basics as you go, such as what a file, a command and a commit are. Claude Code can explain them while you work. See Claude Code for non-developers.
How do I get started with Claude Code?
Install it, open a project folder, and run claude. Give it one small, real job first, then add a CLAUDE.md file with your rules. Anthropic's quickstart has the current install steps.
What's the difference between Claude and Claude Code?
Claude is the AI model and chat app. Claude Code is a tool that lets that model work directly on your computer: reading files, changing code and running commands. Chat gives you an answer, while Claude Code does the work in your project.
Is Claude Code free?
No. It needs a paid Claude plan or API credit. See how much Claude Code costs for how to choose.
Is Claude Code safe to use?
It's designed to ask before risky actions, and you control what it can do. Still, review its changes, keep your work in git so you can undo mistakes, and keep secrets out of files it can read.