Course Outline
Phase 1 — Introduction to Claude Code — 30 minutes
- An overview of Claude and what distinguishes Claude Code from standard chat interactions
- Orientation: We will utilize the Claude app (web or desktop) during the session; the CLI and other interfaces are detailed in the reference card
- Interface walkthrough: Initiating a coding session and understanding the workspace
- Claude Code's operational logic: The describe → plan → act → review cycle
- Permissions explained: Why Claude requests approval before creating files or executing code
- First project: Instructing Claude to create a simple styled webpage based on a one-sentence description
- Refining results: Implementing changes such as "make the header bigger," "change the color scheme," or "add a navigation bar"
- Guided exercise: Participants begin a session and construct a personalized "About Me" webpage, refining it through follow-up instructions
Objective: Overcome initial interaction barriers and ensure comfort with the interface.
Break — 7 minutes
Phase 2 — Creating Real Assets with Plain English — 55 minutes
Three tasks of increasing complexity, accomplished using only natural language prompts.
- Task 1 — Interactive dashboard: Creating a styled dashboard with sample data, charts, and statistics. Practice providing design direction 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 the user's 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 highlight Claude's background actions, including files created, code written, and how to interpret the output. Participants will document their most effective prompts in a shared Prompt Playbook.
Break — 7 minutes
Phase 3 — Efficient Collaboration with Claude Code — 35 minutes
- The art of effective prompting: Specific versus vague instructions
- Live demonstration: A side-by-side comparison of weak and strong prompts applied to the same task
- Iteration and refinement: Asking Claude to explain choices, undo changes, or attempt different approaches
- Working with uploaded files: Instructing Claude to "read this document and summarize it" or "convert this spreadsheet into a chart"
- Multi-step workflows: Chaining requests to construct complex outputs
- Cost and usage understanding: How tokens, context windows, and subscription tiers function
- Differentiating use cases: When to employ 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 the differentiating factors
Objective: Transition from "it works" to "I can consistently achieve excellent results."
Break — 7 minutes
Phase 4 — Integrating Claude with Your Tools via MCP — 34 minutes
Pre-class preparation: Participants received instructions via email to connect Gmail or Google Drive prior to the session, allowing classroom time to focus on utilizing the connection rather than authentication.
- Defining MCP (Model Context Protocol): The universal integration system for AI tools
- The significance 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 demonstration (single workflow): "Check my Google Calendar for tomorrow's meetings and draft a preparation email for each one"
- Guided exercise: Participants utilize their pre-connected service (or connect one live) to assign Claude a task, such as "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: Recognize Claude as a connective layer rather than just a coding tool.
Phase 5 — Capstone & Conclusion — 35 minutes
Capstone mini-project (25 min): Each participant selects one of the following scenarios:
- A polished landing page or portfolio site
- A data analysis pipeline: Uploading a file, analyzing it, and producing a visual report
- An interactive tool solving a real problem in their workflow
- A connected workflow: Retrieving data from a service connected in Phase 4, transforming it, and producing a deliverable
The instructor will circulate to assist with prompt refinement and showcase standout examples.
Wrap-up (10 min):
- Next steps: Claude Code CLI for terminal users, VS Code extension for developers, and Cowork for knowledge workers
- Subscription plans: Free versus Pro versus Max, detailing what each unlocks and the corresponding 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
Requirements
Understand the fundamentals of
- Basic computer literacy, including navigating files and folders, using web browsers, and installing applications
- General familiarity with AI assistant capabilities (while having previously used ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude casually is beneficial context, it is not mandatory)
Experience level
- No coding, programming, or terminal experience is necessary. This course is specifically tailored for individuals who have never written a line of code.
- Prior experience with Claude or other AI tools is not required.
Technical prerequisites
- 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 one-month gift subscription is included upon course registration, with setup instructions sent prior to the class)
- Claude Desktop is recommended but optional, as the web app at claude.ai is sufficient for all exercises
- A Google account is suggested for the MCP connectors exercise (covering Gmail, Google Drive, and 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 looking to build 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)
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
