First Steps with Claude Code

Reading time: 8 minBeginner

Your first 30 minutes with Claude Code - essential commands and workflows to get you productive quickly.

Getting Started

Once you've installed Claude Code following our installation guide, you're ready to start using it. Let's explore the essential commands and workflows that will make you productive in your first session.

Basic Commands

Asking Questions

The simplest way to interact with Claude Code is by asking questions about your code:

claude "What does this function do?"

Claude will analyze the current file or context and explain the function's purpose.

Exploring Your Project

Get Claude to understand your project structure:

claude "What are the main components of this project?"

Claude will analyze your project files and give you an overview of the main components.

Getting Help

If you're not sure what Claude can do, just ask for help:

claude help

This will display a list of common commands and capabilities.

Essential Workflows

Workflow 1: Understanding Code

  1. Navigate to a file: Go to the file you want to understand
  2. Ask for explanation:
    claude "Explain this file in detail"
  3. Ask follow-up questions about specific parts you don't understand

Workflow 2: Making Code Changes

  1. Explain what you want to change:
    claude "Add error handling to this function"
  2. Review the proposed changes Claude will show you what it plans to do
  3. Approve or refine the changes until you're satisfied

Workflow 3: Creating New Files

  1. Tell Claude what you want to create:
    claude "Create a React component for a login form"
  2. Specify details such as file name, location, and special requirements
  3. Review and approve the file creation

Next Steps

Now that you've learned the basics, you're ready to explore more advanced features: