Course Outline
Phase 1 — Introduction to Claude Code — 30 minutes
- Understanding what Claude is and how it differs from standard chat interfaces.
- Quick orientation: We are using the Claude app today (web or desktop); the CLI and other interfaces are detailed in the reference card.
- Interface overview: Starting a coding session and navigating the workspace.
- Understanding Claude Code's logic: The describe → plan → act → review cycle.
- Permissions explained: Why Claude seeks approval before creating files or executing code.
- Your first build: Requesting Claude to create a simple, styled webpage from a single-sentence description.
- Iterating on results: Instructions 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: Everyone successfully completes the first interaction and becomes comfortable with the interface.
Break — 7 minutes
Phase 2 — Creating Real Projects Using Plain English — 55 minutes
Three progressively complex tasks relying solely on 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,” “include a sidebar,” and “make it responsive.”
- Task 2 — Data analysis: Provide a sample CSV file and ask Claude to summarize the data, identify trends, find high/low points, 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 background 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: Differentiating 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 attempt a different approach.
- Working with uploaded files: Instructions like “read this document and summarize it” or “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.
- Knowing 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 the before-and-after prompts to identify key differences.
Goal: Elevating skills 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 instructions via email to connect Gmail or Google Drive before the session, allowing classroom time to focus on using the connection rather than authentication.
- Understanding MCP (Model Context Protocol): The universal integration 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 preparation email for each one.”
- Guided exercise: Participants use their pre-connected service (or connect one live) to assign a task to Claude — for example, “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: 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 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: Information on the Claude Code CLI for terminal users, the VS Code extension for developers, and Cowork for knowledge workers.
- Plans overview: Free vs. Pro vs. Max — what each unlocks and which fits different use cases.
- 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
Prerequisites and Requirements
Essential Knowledge
- Basic computer skills: Navigating files and directories, using a web browser, and installing applications.
- A general understanding of what AI assistants do (e.g., casual experience with ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude is beneficial but not mandatory).
Experience Level
- No prior coding, programming, or terminal experience is needed. This course is specifically designed for individuals who have never written code.
- Prior familiarity with Claude or any other AI tool is not required.
Technical Requirements
- Participants must bring a laptop (Mac, Windows, or Linux) equipped with a modern web browser.
- A reliable internet connection.
- A Claude Pro subscription for the session is required. A one-month gift subscription is included with course registration, and setup instructions will be sent prior to the class.
- Claude Desktop is recommended but optional; the web application at claude.ai is sufficient for all exercises.
- A Google account is advised for the MCP connectors exercise (utilizing Gmail, Google Drive, or Google Calendar), although alternative connector options are available.
Target Audience
- Business professionals aiming to leverage AI for enhanced productivity and automation.
- Marketers, operations managers, and analysts seeking to automate repetitive tasks.
- Founders and entrepreneurs wishing to create 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
