Course Outline
Phase 1 — Introduction to Claude Code — 30 minutes
- Overview of Claude and the distinctions between Claude Code and standard chat interfaces
- Initial orientation: focusing on the Claude app (web or desktop) for today’s session, with the CLI and other interfaces detailed in the reference card
- Interface walkthrough: initiating coding sessions and understanding the workspace
- The cognitive process of Claude Code: the describe, plan, act, and review loop
- Permission management: understanding why Claude requests confirmation before creating files or executing code
- First project: instructing Claude to generate a simple styled webpage from a single sentence description
- Refining results: issuing directives such as “make the header bigger,” “change the color scheme,” or “add a navigation bar”
- Guided exercise: participants initiate a session to create a personalized “About Me” webpage, refining the output through subsequent instructions
Objective: Ensure all participants overcome the initial interaction barrier and feel comfortable navigating the interface.
Break — 7 minutes
Phase 2 — Creating Real Applications with Plain English — 55 minutes
Three progressively complex tasks completed exclusively using natural language prompts.
- Task 1 — Interactive dashboard: Creating a styled dashboard with sample data, charts, and statistics. Practicing design directives 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, locate high/low values, and generate visual charts. This demonstrates Claude writing and executing code on the user’s behalf.
- Task 3 — Automation tool: Developing a simple utility such as a unit converter, quiz app, or budget calculator. This introduces the concept that Claude can build interactive tools, not just static pages.
Following each task, the instructor explains the backend actions performed by Claude, including files created and code written, and guides participants on interpreting the output. Participants record their most effective prompts in a shared Prompt Playbook.
Break — 7 minutes
Phase 3 — Optimizing Workflows with Claude Code — 35 minutes
- The craft of effective prompting: the difference between specific and vague instructions
- Live demonstration: a side-by-side comparison of weak versus strong prompts applied to the same task
- Iteration and refinement: requesting explanations for choices, undoing changes, or exploring alternative approaches
- Working with uploaded files: tasks such as “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 awareness: understanding tokens, context windows, and subscription tiers
- Distinguishing when to use Claude Code versus standard Claude chat
- Guided exercise: participants extend a Phase 2 project with a new feature using a multi-step prompt, then analyze the before-and-after prompts to identify key differences
Objective: Progress from basic functionality (“it works”) to consistently achieving high-quality results.
Break — 7 minutes
Phase 4 — Integrating Claude with Your Tools via MCP — 34 minutes
Pre-class preparation: participants receive instructions via email to connect Gmail or Google Drive prior to the session, ensuring classroom time is dedicated to utilizing the connection rather than authentication.
- Introduction to MCP (Model Context Protocol): the universal integration system for AI tools
- The value of MCP: transforming Claude from a chat assistant into a connected workflow hub
- Connector Directory: browsing and adding integrations directly within the Claude app
- Desktop Extensions: one-click installation options (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 use their pre-connected service (or connect one live) to assign a task to Claude, such as “Read my recent emails regarding project updates and create a summary document.”
- Key concepts: OAuth, permissions, managing tool access per conversation, security awareness, and locating new connectors
Objective: Enable participants to view 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 generating a visual report
- An interactive tool addressing a specific problem within their workflow
- A connected workflow: retrieving data from the service connected in Phase 4, transforming it, and producing a deliverable
The instructor circulates to assist with prompt refinement and highlights standout examples.
Conclusion (10 min):
- Next steps: Claude Code CLI for terminal users, VS Code extension for developers, and Cowork for knowledge workers
- Subscription plans: Free vs. Pro vs. Max — features unlocked and suitability for various 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
Requirements
Requirements
Understanding of
- Basic computer literacy: navigating files and folders, utilizing web browsers, and installing applications
- General awareness of AI assistant capabilities (e.g., prior casual use of ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude is beneficial but not mandatory)
Experience with
- No coding, programming, or terminal experience is necessary. This course is tailored for individuals who have never written code.
- No prior familiarity with Claude or any other AI tools is required.
Technical requirements
- Participants should 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 with registration; setup guidelines are provided prior to the class)
- Claude Desktop is suggested but not mandatory (the web application at claude.ai is fully sufficient for all exercises)
- A Google account is recommended for the MCP connector exercise (involving Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Calendar), though alternative connector options are available
Audience
- Business professionals aiming to enhance productivity and automation through AI
- Marketers, operations managers, and analysts seeking to automate repetitive tasks
- Founders and entrepreneurs wishing to create prototypes without hiring developers
- Educators and researchers exploring AI-assisted workflows
- Any individual curious about Claude’s capabilities, regardless of 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
