Course Outline
Phase 1 — Meet Claude Code — 30 minutes
- Overview of what Claude is and what distinguishes Claude Code from standard chat interfaces
- Quick orientation: we will use the Claude app today (web or desktop); the CLI and other interfaces are covered in the reference card
- Interface tour: starting a coding session and understanding the workspace
- How Claude Code operates: the describe → plan → act → review loop
- Understanding permissions: why Claude requests confirmation before creating files or executing code
- Your first build: instructing Claude to create a simple styled webpage based on a one-sentence description
- Iterating on results: requests like "make the header bigger," "change the color scheme," or "add a navigation bar"
- Guided exercise: participants start a session and build a personalised "About Me" webpage, refining it through follow-up instructions
Goal: ensure everyone has cleared the initial interaction hurdle and feels comfortable with the interface.
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Break — 7 minutes |
Phase 2 — Building Real Things with Plain English — 55 minutes
Three progressively complex tasks using only natural language prompts.
- Task 1 — Interactive dashboard: creating a styled dashboard with sample data, charts, and statistics. Practicing design direction: "use a dark theme," "add a sidebar," "make it responsive."
- Task 2 — Data analysis: providing a sample CSV file, asking Claude to summarise the data, identify trends, find highs/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 build interactive tools, not just static pages.
After each task, the instructor highlights what Claude did behind the scenes: files created, code written, and how to interpret the output. Participants document their most effective prompts in a shared Prompt Playbook.
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Break — 7 minutes |
Phase 3 — Working Smarter with Claude Code — 35 minutes
- The art of effective prompting: specific vs. vague instructions
- Live demo: side-by-side comparison of weak and strong prompts on the same task
- Iterating and refining: asking Claude to explain choices, undo changes, or try a different approach
- Working with uploaded files: "read this document and summarise it," "convert this spreadsheet into a chart"
- Multi-step workflows: chaining requests to build complex outputs
- Understanding cost and usage: how tokens, context windows, and subscription tiers function
- When to use Claude Code versus regular Claude chat
- Guided exercise: participants extend one of their Phase 2 projects with a new feature using a multi-step prompt, then compare before-and-after prompts to identify what made the difference
Goal: elevate skills from "it works" to "I can achieve great results consistently."
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Break — 7 minutes |
Phase 4 — Connecting Claude to Your Tools with MCP — 34 minutes
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Pre-class: participants received email instructions to connect Gmail or Google Drive before the session, ensuring classroom time is spent using the connection rather than authenticating. |
- What is MCP (Model Context Protocol)? The universal plug system for AI tools
- Why MCP matters: transforming Claude from a chat assistant into a connected workflow hub
- The Connectors Directory: browsing and adding integrations directly from the Claude app
- Desktop Extensions: one-click installs (for Claude Desktop users)
- Live demo (one 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 give Claude a task — e.g., "Read my recent emails about project updates and create a summary document"
- Key concepts: OAuth, permissions, managing tool access per conversation, security awareness, and where to find new connectors
Goal: help participants view Claude as a connective layer, not just a coding tool.
Phase 5 — Capstone & Wrap-Up — 35 minutes
Capstone mini-project (25 min): Each participant chooses one scenario:
- A polished landing page or portfolio site
- A data analysis pipeline: upload a file, analyse it, and produce a visual report
- An interactive tool solving a real problem from their workflow
- A connected workflow: pull data from the service connected in Phase 4, transform it, and produce a deliverable
The instructor circulates, helps refine prompts, and showcases standout examples.
Wrap-up (10 min):
- Next steps: Claude Code CLI for terminal users, VS Code extension for developers, Cowork for knowledge workers
- Subscription plans: Free vs. Pro vs. Max — what each unlocks and which fits which use case
- Recommended resources: official documentation, Anthropic’s prompt engineering guide, and community channels
- Participants leave with a reference card covering prompting patterns, connector setup, and useful MCP integrations
Requirements
Requirements
Prerequisite Knowledge
- Fundamental computer literacy: navigating files and folders, using a web browser, and installing applications
- General awareness of AI assistants' capabilities (e.g., casual use of ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude is helpful context, but not mandatory)
Experience Level
- No coding, programming, or terminal experience is required. This course is specifically designed for individuals who have never written code.
- No prior experience with Claude or any other AI tool is necessary.
Technical Requirements
- Participants must 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 instructions will be sent prior to the class)
- Claude Desktop is recommended but not mandatory (the web app at claude.ai is sufficient for all exercises)
- A Google account is recommended for the MCP connectors exercise (Gmail, Google Drive, Google Calendar), although alternative connector options are available
Target Audience
- Business professionals seeking to leverage AI for enhanced productivity and automation
- Marketers, operations managers, and analysts aiming to automate repetitive tasks
- Founders and entrepreneurs who wish to build prototypes without hiring a developer
- Educators and researchers exploring AI-assisted workflows
- Anyone curious about Claude's capabilities who lacks a technical background
Testimonials (1)
That i gained a knowledge regarding streamlit library from python and for sure i'll try to use it to improve applications in my team which are made in R shiny
