The period of getting to copy-paste code from an AI chat tab into your code editor has come to an finish some time in the past. AI-powered coding assistants have grow to be more and more subtle, with instruments like Aider displaying how highly effective command-line AI integration might be for growth workflows. As a draw back, these instruments typically require you to be taught particular instructions and syntax to speak successfully with the AI.
Claude Code builds on this basis with a extra intuitive strategy. As a substitute of memorizing instructions, you’ll be able to describe what you wish to do utilizing pure language.
Getting Began
Obtain the mission supplies by way of the Obtain Supplies hyperlink on the high and backside of this web page. Subsequent, unzip the mission someplace for later use.
To observe together with this tutorial, you’ll must have the next put in:
With that taken care of, it’s time to take a more in-depth have a look at what you are able to do with Claude Code and how one can set up it.
What’s Claude Code?
Claude Code is an agentic command line software. That’s a flowery time period for a CLI program that may perceive what you wish to accomplish after which work out and execute the steps to do it, quite than simply working one particular command at a time. As a substitute of getting to modify backwards and forwards between your code editor and an AI chat tab, you’ll be able to delegate coding duties on to Claude proper out of your command line.
Consider it as a sensible assistant that may assist you with something it is advisable to do, with entry to a variety of instruments and assets. It’s designed to streamline your growth course of by bringing Claude‘s coding capabilities proper the place you’re already working.
Organising Claude Code
Earlier than delving into the set up, it is advisable to know that utilizing Claude Code isn’t free.
Claude Code wants both a Claude subscription or an Anthropic API key to perform. In the event you can swing it, I’d strongly suggest getting an annual Claude Professional subscription — it’s rather more cost-effective than paying per API name since Claude Code can burn via tokens rapidly.
Undecided if Claude Code is price it? Seize an API key and cargo it with $10 in credit score. That’ll get you thru this tutorial with some tokens left over to experiment.
No matter choice you go along with, the following step is to put in Claude Code!
Set up
Open a brand new terminal window and run the command beneath to put in Claude Code:
npm set up -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
It’s best to see the next message after the set up is full:
Configuring Claude Code
If you run Claude Code for the primary time, it can ask you to set a coloration mode, select no matter seems to be finest in your terminal. After that, you’ll get requested in your login methodology:
When you have a Claude Professional or Max account, select choice 1 right here and it’ll attempt to open an online browser to check in along with your account. In the event you desire to make use of your Anthropic Console account, select choice 2 and enter your API key when requested.
Observe: If the browser window doesn’t open mechanically, you’ll be able to copy the URL from the terminal and paste it into your browser manually to get the code. Copy that code and paste it again into the terminal when prompted.
When you’re logged in, you’ll get a last disclaimer. Press Enter to dismiss it and also you’ll be good to go.
If all went nicely, it is best to see a field with a message asking you in the event you belief the information within the folder just like the one beneath.
Select no for now and prepare to discover ways to use Claude Code.
Making a Undertaking From Scratch
To get your ft moist, begin by making a recent Python mission utilizing Claude Code.
Create a brand new folder in your mission and identify it “hello_claude_code“. Open a brand new terminal in that folder and run the next command:
claude
If it asks in the event you belief the information within the folder, select sure. It’s best to now see the welcome message and a immediate enter.
Speaking with Claude
Now you can begin speaking with Claude Code. Sort your immediate and press Enter to ship it to Claude. For a primary immediate, strive saying “Hey”.
Claude will “assume” for a short time earlier than responding.
To get Claude to create a mission for you, copy and paste the next immediate into the terminal and press Enter:
Create a Mad Libs Python program that:
1. Prompts the person for various kinds of phrases (nouns, verbs, adjectives, and so on.)
2. Shops a enjoyable story template with placeholders
3. Substitutes the person's phrases into the story
4. Shows the finished foolish story
5. Contains enter validation and the choice to play once more
6. Use clear variable names and add useful feedback
Observe: At all times be particular in your prompts, don’t count on Claude to learn your thoughts. For the very best outcomes, add clear particulars and context. Brief and imprecise prompts will end in less-than-ideal outcomes.
After a a while, the agent facet of Claude Code will kick in. It received’t write code within the terminal simply but, however will as an alternative provide you with a plan of motion.
If all goes nicely Claude will wish to write a file. It received’t do that with out asking in your permission, so that you’ll see the code it needs to jot down, adopted by a query just like the one beneath:
You could have three choices right here:
- Sure: this can enable Claude to jot down this explicit file.
- Sure, and don’t ask once more this session: Claude will write this file and received’t ask you once more if it will possibly write information.
- No: Claude received’t write the file and can anticipate a brand new immediate.
Test if the code seems to be good after which press Enter to proceed and select the default choice for now, which is “sure”.
At this level you’ll be able to examine if the file truly exists within the mission folder.
For such a easy mission, there’s likelihood Claude will use a single file. If it does ask to jot down extra, reply with sure.
As soon as Claude is finished, it can write a abstract of what it has performed and directions so that you can observe up. I obtained the next message:
Attempt working the mission as instructed and examine if every thing works as anticipated. For me, it labored, and I obtained the next output:
begin, however you’ll be able to refine it to make it higher. For instance, in the event you thought it wasn’t clear what sort of phrases it needed, suggest so as to add examples to every phrase immediate:
Please add examples to every phrase immediate. It wasn't at all times clear what was anticipated of me.
This time, Claude will ask if it’s alright to edit a file:
Select choice 2 right here so future edits might be utilized with out having to ask you.
Now strive working the mission once more with the enhancements in place.
This back-and-forth is key to working with Claude Code. Making gradual modifications and iterating on the outcomes is a good way to refine your code.
Shut the terminal window and prepare to dive deeper. Within the subsequent part, you’ll discover ways to work with current initiatives and how one can get probably the most out of Claude Code.
