Course Outline
Phase 1 — Introduction to Claude Code — 30 minutes
- An overview of Claude and what distinguishes Claude Code from standard chat interfaces
- Initial orientation: We will use the Claude app today (web or desktop); the CLI and other interfaces are detailed in the reference card
- Interface walkthrough: Initiating a coding session and understanding the workspace
- How Claude Code operates: The describe → plan → act → review cycle
- Understanding permissions: The reason Claude seeks confirmation before creating files or executing code
- Your first creation: Instructing Claude to generate a simple styled webpage from a single-sentence description
- Refining results: Commands like "make the header bigger," "change the color scheme," or "add a navigation bar"
- Guided exercise: Participants begin a session to build a personalized "About Me" webpage, refining it through follow-up instructions
Objective: Ensure all participants have overcome the initial barrier and feel at ease with the interface.
Break — 7 minutes
Phase 2 — Creating Real Projects with Plain English — 55 minutes
Three progressively complex tasks using only natural language prompts.
- Task 1 — Interactive dashboard: A styled dashboard featuring sample data, charts, and statistics. Practice providing design directions such as: "use a dark theme," "add a sidebar," or "make it responsive."
- Task 2 — Data analysis: Provide a sample CSV file and ask Claude to summarize it, identify trends, find highs and lows, and generate a visual chart. This demonstrates Claude writing and executing 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 will highlight Claude's background actions: files created, code written, and how to interpret the output. Participants will record their most effective prompts in a shared Prompt Playbook.
Break — 7 minutes
Phase 3 — Enhancing Efficiency with Claude Code — 35 minutes
- The art of effective prompting: Specific versus vague instructions
- Live demonstration: A side-by-side comparison of weak and strong prompts applied to the same task
- Iteration and refinement: Asking Claude to explain choices, revert changes, or attempt a different approach
- Working with uploaded files: Commands like "read this document and summarize it" or "convert this spreadsheet into a chart"
- Multi-step workflows: Chaining requests to produce complex outputs
- Understanding costs and usage: The mechanics of tokens, context windows, and subscription tiers
- Determining when to use Claude Code versus regular Claude chat
- Guided exercise: Participants extend a Phase 2 project with a new feature using a multi-step prompt, then compare the before-and-after prompts to identify what drove the improvement
Objective: Progress from "it works" to "I can consistently achieve excellent results."
Break — 7 minutes
Phase 4 — Integrating Claude with Your Tools via MCP — 34 minutes
Pre-class preparation: Participants received email instructions to connect Gmail or Google Drive before the session, allowing classroom time to focus on utilizing the connection rather than authentication.
- What is MCP (Model Context Protocol)? A universal integration system for AI tools
- The importance of MCP: 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 installations (for Claude Desktop users)
- Live demonstration (one workflow): "Check my Google Calendar for tomorrow’s meetings and draft a prep 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 locating new connectors
Objective: Participants should view Claude as a connective layer, not merely a coding tool.
Phase 5 — Capstone and Conclusion — 35 minutes
Capstone mini-project (25 min): Each participant selects one scenario:
- A polished landing page or portfolio site
- A data analysis pipeline: Uploading a file, analyzing it, and producing a visual report
- An interactive tool solving a real problem from their workflow
- A connected workflow: Pulling data from the service connected in Phase 4, transforming it, and producing a deliverable
The instructor will circulate to assist with prompt refinement and highlight standout examples.
Wrap-up (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 by each tier and their ideal use cases
- Recommended resources: Official documentation, Anthropic’s prompt engineering guide, and community channels
- Participants will take home a reference card covering prompting patterns, connector setup, and useful MCP integrations
Requirements
Prerequisites
Basic Understanding
- Essential computer skills: navigating files and folders, operating a web browser, and installing applications
- General familiarity with AI assistants (prior casual use of ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude is beneficial but not mandatory)
Experience
- No coding, programming, or terminal experience is necessary. This course is tailored for individuals who have never written code.
- No prior experience with Claude or other AI tools is required.
Technical Requirements
- A laptop (Mac, Windows, or Linux) equipped with a modern web browser
- A reliable internet connection
- A Claude Pro subscription for the session (a 1-month gift subscription is included upon registration; setup instructions will be provided prior to the class)
- Claude Desktop is suggested but not essential (the web interface at claude.ai is sufficient for all exercises)
- A Google account is recommended for the MCP connectors exercise (Gmail, Google Drive, Google Calendar), though alternative connector options are available
Target Audience
- Business professionals seeking to boost productivity and automation through AI
- Marketers, operations managers, and analysts aiming to automate repetitive tasks
- Founders and entrepreneurs looking to create prototypes without hiring a developer
- Educators and researchers exploring AI-assisted workflows
- Individuals interested in Claude’s capabilities who lack 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
