Introduction to Claude Code for Non-Developers Training Course

Phase 1 — Meet Claude Code — 30 minutes

• Overview of Claude and what distinguishes Claude Code from standard chat interfaces
• Quick orientation: using the Claude app today (web or desktop); CLI and other interfaces are covered in the reference card
• Interface tour: initiating a coding session and navigating the workspace
• Understanding Claude Code’s thought process: the describe → plan → act → review loop
• Understanding permissions: why Claude requests approval 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: examples such as “increase the header size,” “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: ensuring everyone overcomes the initial learning curve and becomes 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: creating 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: providing a sample CSV file, asking 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: 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.

After each task, the instructor highlights Claude’s backend actions: 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: differentiating specific instructions from vague ones
• Live demo: side-by-side comparison of weak versus strong prompts for the same task
• Iterating and refining: asking Claude to explain choices, undo changes, or attempt alternative approaches
• Working with uploaded files: examples like “read this document and summarize it” or “convert this spreadsheet into a chart”
• Multi-step workflows: chaining requests to generate complex outputs
• Understanding cost and usage: how tokens, context windows, and subscription tiers function
• Distinguishing when to use Claude Code versus standard 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: advancing from “It works” to “I can reliably achieve excellent 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 before the session, allowing classroom time to focus on using the connection 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 (available for Claude Desktop users)
• Live demo (one workflow): “Check my Google Calendar for tomorrow’s meetings and draft a preparation email for each”
• 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 where to find new connectors

Goal: helping participants view Claude as a connective layer rather than merely a coding tool.

Phase 5 — Capstone & Wrap-Up — 35 minutes

Capstone mini-project (25 min): Each participant selects one scenario:

1. A polished landing page or portfolio site
2. A data analysis pipeline: uploading a file, analyzing it, and producing a visual report
3. An interactive tool addressing a real problem from their workflow
4. A connected workflow: pulling data from the service connected in Phase 4, transforming it, and producing a deliverable

The instructor circulates to help refine prompts and showcases standout examples.

Wrap-up (10 min):

• Next steps: exploring the Claude Code CLI for terminal users, the VS Code extension for developers, and Cowork for knowledge workers
• Subscription plans: Free vs. Pro vs. Max — detailing 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