Course Outline
Phase 1 — Introduction to Claude Code — 30 minutes
- An overview of Claude and an explanation of how Claude Code differs from standard chat interactions
- Orientation: clarification that the session utilizes the Claude app (web or desktop), while the CLI and other interfaces are detailed in the reference card
- Interface walkthrough: initiating a coding session and understanding the workspace environment
- Explaining Claude Code’s logic: the describe → plan → act → review cycle
- Permission management: understanding why Claude requests approval before creating files or executing code
- Initial build: instructing Claude to generate a simple styled webpage from a single-sentence description
- Refining results: issuing iterative commands such as “make the header bigger,” “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
Objective: Ensure all participants overcome initial interaction barriers and become comfortable with the interface.
Break — 7 minutes
Phase 2 — Creating Practical Solutions with Plain English — 55 minutes
Three progressively complex tasks completed using only natural language prompts.
- Task 1 — Interactive dashboard: Creating a styled dashboard featuring sample data, charts, and statistics. Participants practice providing design directions 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 highs and lows, and generate a visual chart. 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 clarifies the background processes, including files created, code written, and output interpretation. Participants record their most effective prompts in a shared Prompt Playbook.
Break — 7 minutes
Phase 3 — Optimizing Interaction with Claude Code — 35 minutes
- The art of effective prompting: distinguishing 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: asking Claude to explain decisions, undo changes, or attempt alternative approaches
- Handling uploaded files: tasks such as “read this document and summarize it” or “convert this spreadsheet into a chart”
- Multi-step workflows: chaining requests to generate complex outputs
- Understanding costs and usage: an overview of tokens, context windows, and subscription tiers
- Differentiating between when to use Claude Code versus standard Claude chat
- Guided exercise: participants extend a Phase 2 project by adding a new feature using a multi-step prompt, then compare before-and-after prompts to identify the key differences
Objective: Transition from basic functionality to consistently achieving high-quality 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 prior to the session, allowing classroom time to focus on utilizing the connection rather than authentication.
- Definition of MCP (Model Context Protocol): The universal integration system for AI tools
- The significance of MCP: Evolving 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 installation options (for Claude Desktop users)
- Live demo (single workflow): “Check my Google Calendar for tomorrow’s meetings and draft a prep email for each one”
- Guided exercise: participants use a pre-connected service (or connect one live) to assign a task to Claude, such as “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: Enable participants to view Claude as a connective layer, not merely a coding tool.
Phase 5 — Capstone Project & 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 producing a visual report
- An interactive tool that solves a specific problem within their workflow
- A connected workflow: pulling data from the service connected in Phase 4, transforming it, and generating a deliverable
The instructor circulates to assist with prompt refinement and showcases notable examples.
Conclusion (10 min):
- Next steps: Claude Code CLI for terminal users, the VS Code extension for developers, and Cowork for knowledge workers
- Subscription plans: Free vs. Pro vs. Max — detailing features unlocked and appropriate 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
Prerequisites
Essential Understanding
- Basic digital literacy: including the ability to navigate files and folders, operate a web browser, and install software applications
- A general familiarity with AI assistant capabilities (such as having used ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude for casual tasks is beneficial, though not mandatory)
Experience Level
- No coding, programming, or terminal experience is necessary. This course is specifically tailored for individuals who have never written a line of code.
- No prior exposure to Claude or other AI tools is required.
Technical Requirements
- Participants must bring a laptop (Mac, Windows, or Linux) equipped with a modern web browser
- A reliable internet connection
- A valid Claude Pro subscription for the session (a one-month gift subscription is included upon course registration, with setup instructions provided in advance)
- Use of Claude Desktop is recommended but not mandatory, as the web interface at claude.ai is sufficient for all exercises
- A Google account is recommended for the MCP connectors exercise (involving Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Calendar), though alternative connector options are available
Target Audience
- Business professionals aiming to enhance productivity and automation through AI
- Marketers, operations managers, and analysts seeking to automate repetitive tasks
- Founders and entrepreneurs looking to create prototypes without hiring a developer
- Educators and researchers exploring AI-assisted workflows
- Any individual 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
