Course Outline
Phase 1 — Introduction to Claude Code — 30 minutes
- What Claude is and how Claude Code differs from standard chat interfaces
- Quick orientation: focusing on the Claude app (web or desktop) for today’s session; the CLI and other interfaces are covered in the reference card
- Interface overview: initiating a coding session and understanding the workspace
- The Claude Code methodology: the describe → plan → act → review cycle
- Understanding permissions: why Claude seeks confirmation before creating files or executing code
- First build: instructing Claude to generate a simple, styled webpage from a single-sentence description
- Refining results: requests such as “make the header larger,” “change the color scheme,” or “add a navigation bar”
- Guided exercise: Participants initiate a session to build a personalized “About Me” webpage, refining it through follow-up instructions
Objective: Ensure all participants overcome the initial interaction barrier and feel comfortable with the interface.
Break — 7 minutes
Phase 2 — Creating Real Projects with Natural Language — 55 minutes
Three progressively complex tasks completed using only natural language prompts.
- Task 1 — Interactive dashboard: Creating a styled dashboard with sample data, charts, and statistics. Practice providing design directions such as “use a dark theme,” “add a sidebar,” or “make it responsive.”
- Task 2 — Data analysis: Providing a sample CSV file and asking Claude to summarize it, identify trends, find highs and lows, and generate a visual chart. This demonstrates Claude writing and executing code on your behalf.
- Task 3 — Automation tool: Building a simple utility such as a unit converter, quiz app, or budget calculator. This introduces the concept that Claude can create interactive tools, not just static pages.
Following each task, the instructor will explain the underlying actions taken by Claude: files created, code written, and how to interpret the output. Participants will record their most effective prompts in a shared Prompt Playbook.
Break — 7 minutes
Phase 3 — Optimizing Work with Claude Code — 35 minutes
- The craft of effective prompting: distinguishing between specific and vague instructions
- Live demonstration: A side-by-side comparison of weak versus strong prompts applied to the same task
- Iterating and refining: Requesting explanations for choices, undoing changes, or trying alternative approaches
- Working with uploaded files: Instructions like “read this document and summarize it” or “convert this spreadsheet into a chart”
- Multi-step workflows: Chaining requests to create complex outputs
- Understanding costs and usage: How tokens, context windows, and subscription tiers function
- Determining when to use Claude Code versus standard Claude chat
- Guided exercise: Participants extend a Phase 2 project with a new feature using a multi-step prompt, then compare before-and-after prompts to identify key improvements
Objective: Progress from “it works” to “I can consistently achieve great results.”
Break — 7 minutes
Phase 4 — Integrating Claude with Your Tools via MCP — 34 minutes
Pre-class: Participants received email instructions to connect Gmail or Google Drive prior to the session, allowing class time to be focused on utilizing the connection rather than authentication.
- Overview of MCP (Model Context Protocol): The universal integration system for AI tools
- The value of MCP: Transforming Claude from a chat assistant into a connected workflow hub
- The Connectors Directory: Browsing and adding integrations directly within the Claude app
- Desktop Extensions: One-click installations (for Claude Desktop users)
- Live demo (single workflow): “Check my Google Calendar for tomorrow’s meetings and draft a prep email for each one”
- Guided exercise: Participants use their pre-connected service (or connect one live) to assign a task to Claude — for example, “Read my recent emails about project updates and create a summary document”
- Key concepts: OAuth, permissions, managing tool access per conversation, security awareness, and locating new connectors
Objective: Enable participants to view Claude as a connective layer, not just a coding tool.
Phase 5 — Capstone Project & Conclusion — 35 minutes
Capstone mini-project (25 min): Each participant selects one scenario:
- A polished landing page or portfolio site
- A data analysis pipeline: Uploading a file, analyzing it, and producing a visual report
- An interactive tool that solves a specific problem in their workflow
- A connected workflow: Retrieving data from the service connected in Phase 4, transforming it, and producing a deliverable
The instructor will circulate to assist with prompt refinement and highlight standout examples.
Conclusion (10 min):
- Next steps: Claude Code CLI for terminal users, VS Code extension for developers, and Cowork for knowledge workers
- Pricing plans: Free vs. Pro vs. Max — detailing what each tier unlocks and which fits specific use cases
- Recommended resources: Official documentation, Anthropic’s prompt engineering guide, and community channels
- Participants will leave with a reference card covering prompting patterns, connector setup, and useful MCP integrations
Requirements
Prerequisites
Essential Understanding
- Basic computer proficiency: managing files and folders, navigating a web browser, and installing applications
- General awareness of AI assistant capabilities (prior casual use of ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude is beneficial but not mandatory)
Experience Level
- No coding, programming, or terminal experience is needed. This course is tailored for individuals who have never written a line of code.
- No prior experience with Claude or any AI tools is required.
Technical Requirements
- Participants should bring a laptop (Mac, Windows, or Linux) equipped with a modern web browser
- A stable internet connection
- A Claude Pro subscription for the session (a 1-month gift subscription is included with course registration; setup guidelines are sent prior to the class)
- Claude Desktop is recommended but not mandatory (the web application at claude.ai is sufficient for all exercises)
- A Google account is recommended for the MCP connector exercise (Gmail, Google Drive, Google Calendar), though alternative connector options are available
Target Audience
- Business professionals seeking to enhance productivity and automation through AI
- Marketers, operations managers, and analysts aiming to automate repetitive tasks
- Founders and entrepreneurs looking to create prototypes without hiring a developer
- Educators and researchers exploring AI-assisted workflows
- Individuals with no technical background who are curious about the capabilities of Claude
Testimonials (1)
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