Your First 10 Minutes with Claude Code

Step 1: Install Claude Code

Open your terminal. On Mac, press Cmd + Space and type "Terminal". Then paste this command and press Enter.

$ npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
added 1 package in 12s
Successfully installed claude-code

Here's what each part of that command means:

• npm install - Download and install a package
• -g - Make it available everywhere
• @anthropic-ai/claude-code - The name of the package

Don't have npm? npm comes bundled with Node.js. Go to nodejs.org, download the installer, run it, then come back here. That's the only prerequisite.

Verify it worked. Type this and you should see a version number:

$ claude --version
claude-code v1.0.0

If you see a version number, Claude Code is installed. You only need to do this once.

Step 2: Open a Folder and Start Claude

Claude can only see the files in the folder you start it from. First, navigate to the folder you want to work in. Then type claude.

$ cd ~/Documents/acme-project
$ claude
Welcome to Claude Code
Working directory: ~/Documents/acme-project
Files found: 14

You: _

Two commands. Here is what they do:

• cd ~/Documents/acme-project - Go to your project folder
• claude - Start the AI assistant

What is "cd"? "Change directory." Think of it as double-clicking a folder on your desktop. It tells the terminal where to look.

What is "~"? A shortcut for your home folder. ~/Documents means the Documents folder inside your user account.

You're now in a conversation. The blinking cursor after "You:" is where you type. Write in plain English, the same way you'd message a colleague. Claude reads your prompt and responds below.

Step 3: Talk to Claude

Claude reads files, writes new ones, and edits existing documents. Just ask in plain English.

Reading a file

Ask Claude to read any file in your folder and do something with it.

You: Read proposal.md and list the 3 biggest risks

Reading proposal.md...
Here are the 3 biggest risks I found:

1. The timeline assumes Q3 hiring is on track.
   If hiring slips, the entire Phase 2 deadline moves.

2. The budget includes no contingency buffer.
   Any scope change will require re-approval.

3. There is no rollback plan for the migration.
   If it fails, there's no documented recovery path.

Editing a file

Ask Claude to rewrite, shorten, or improve a section. It shows you what it will change before making edits.

You: Rewrite the executive summary in proposal.md.
     Make it more concise. Keep it under 150 words.

Reading proposal.md...
Proposed edit to proposal.md (lines 1-24):
[Shows you the exact changes before applying]

You: Yes, apply it.
Done. Executive summary rewritten (142 words).

Claude always asks permission first. Before editing any file, Claude shows you what it plans to change and waits for your approval. Nothing happens without your "yes."

Creating a new file

Claude can also create files from scratch based on your instructions.

You: Create a file called meeting-notes.md with
     a template for weekly client check-ins.

Created meeting-notes.md
Sections: Attendees, Agenda, Action Items,
Next Steps, Follow-up Date

When you're done: Type /exit or press Ctrl+C to end the session. All your files stay exactly as they are.

Step 4: Set Up Your CLAUDE.md

CLAUDE.md is a special file. Place it in your project folder, and Claude reads it automatically at the start of every session. It's how you teach Claude who you are and how you work.

Here's an example for a fractional CMO:

# My Project Instructions

## Who I Am
I'm a fractional CMO working with B2B SaaS startups.
I manage 3 clients simultaneously.

## How I Like to Work
- Write in a direct, concise tone
- Always back claims with data
- Format all deliverables in markdown
- Never use jargon the client wouldn't understand

## Current Focus
Acme Corp - Series A, 40 employees
Goal: increase MQLs by 30% in Q2

Next time you start Claude in this folder, it already knows your context:

$ claude
Loaded CLAUDE.md
I see you're working on the Acme Corp MQL
growth project. What would you like to work on?

You: _

One file per project. Each project folder gets its own CLAUDE.md. Your marketing client gets different instructions than your finance client. Claude adapts to whichever folder you launch it from.

Easiest way to create it. Just ask Claude: "Create a CLAUDE.md file for this project." Tell it your role and preferences, and it writes the file for you.

What to include in CLAUDE.md: Your role, communication style, project context, current client details, recurring tasks, and any standards you want Claude to follow every single time.