Course Outline
Phase 1 — Getting to Know Claude Code — 30 minutes
- An overview of Claude and what distinguishes Claude Code from standard chat interfaces.
- Quick orientation: utilizing the Claude app today (web or desktop); CLI and other interfaces are covered in the reference card.
- Interface tour: starting a coding session and understanding the workspace layout.
- The workflow logic: the describe → plan → act → review cycle.
- Understanding permissions: why Claude requests approval before creating files or executing code.
- Your first build: instructing Claude to create a simple styled webpage from a one-sentence description.
- Iterating on results: commands 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.
Goal: Ensure everyone has overcome the initial interaction hurdle and feels comfortable with the interface.
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: Create a styled dashboard with sample data, charts, and statistics. Practice providing design direction: “apply a dark theme,” “add a sidebar,” or “make it responsive.”
- Task 2 — Data analysis: Provide a sample CSV file and ask Claude to summarize the data, identify trends, find highs/lows, and generate a visual chart. This demonstrates Claude’s ability to write and execute code on your behalf.
- Task 3 — Automation tool: Build 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.
After each task, the instructor highlights the backend processes: files created, code written, and how to interpret the output. Participants document their most effective prompts in a shared Prompt Playbook.
Break — 7 minutes
Phase 3 — Working Smarter with Claude Code — 35 minutes
- The art of effective prompting: distinguishing between specific and vague instructions.
- Live demo: side-by-side comparison of weak versus strong prompts on the same task.
- Iterating and refining: asking Claude to explain its choices, undo changes, or explore alternative approaches.
- Working with uploaded files: “read this document and summarize it,” or “convert this spreadsheet into a chart.”
- Multi-step workflows: chaining requests to create complex outputs.
- Understanding cost and usage: how tokens, context windows, and subscription tiers function.
- Determining 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 key differences.
Goal: Move from “it works” to “I can consistently achieve great results.”
Break — 7 minutes
Phase 4 — Connecting Claude to Your Tools with MCP — 34 minutes
Pre-class: Participants received email instructions to connect Gmail or Google Drive prior to the session, allowing classroom time to focus on usage rather than authentication.
- 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 within 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 assign 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 locating new connectors.
Goal: Help participants view Claude as a connective layer, not merely a coding tool.
Phase 5 — Capstone & Wrap-Up — 35 minutes
Capstone mini-project (25 min): Each participant selects one scenario:
- A polished landing page or portfolio site.
- A data analysis pipeline: upload a file, analyze 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 to help refine prompts and showcases standout examples.
Wrap-up (10 min):
- Next steps: Claude Code CLI for terminal users, VS Code extension for developers, and Cowork for knowledge workers.
- Plans: Free vs. Pro vs. Max — what each unlocks and which fits specific use cases.
- Recommended resources: official documentation, Anthropic’s prompt engineering guide, and community channels.
- Participants receive a reference card covering prompting patterns, connector setup, and useful MCP integrations.
Requirements
Prerequisites
Required Understanding
- Basic computer literacy: Navigating files and folders, using a web browser, and installing applications.
- Awareness of AI assistants: Casual experience with ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude is beneficial context, though not mandatory.
Experience Levels
- No coding, programming, or terminal expertise is required. This course is specifically designed for individuals who have never written code.
- No prior experience with Claude or any other AI tools 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 duration of the session. A 1-month gift subscription is included with course registration; setup instructions are provided prior to class.
- Claude Desktop is recommended but optional (the web app at claude.ai suffices 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 productivity and automation.
- Marketers, operations managers, and analysts aiming to automate repetitive tasks.
- Founders and entrepreneurs interested in building 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
