You will be able to
- Install Claude Code and run it from the terminal or inside VS Code
- Start, resume, and manage Claude Code sessions and choose a permission mode
- Use /goal and plan mode to have Claude Code plan and build a small app
- Install and use skills, and write a CLAUDE.md file to set project rules
- Track context usage with /context and /compact, and version a project with Git and GitHub
- Connect Claude Code to outside tools through MCP or CLI and deploy a project to Vercel
Good to know first
- A computer where you can install software and open a terminal
- A Claude account with a paid plan or API access
Syllabus
10 lessons and a final project
- 1
Course overview: what you will learn and build with Claude Code Free
This overview introduces the whole Claude Code course: who it is for, what you need, and the topics it covers from installation to deployment. It sets the path you will follow, so you know what each later lesson builds toward.
2 build steps2 exercises3 questions - 2
Installing Claude Code on your machine Beyond Pass
This lesson shows how to install Claude Code on your computer using the official native install command in a terminal. It also explains the three places you can use Claude Code (desktop app, terminal, and an IDE) and how to choose between them.
2 code4 build steps2 exercises3 questions - 3
Setting up VS Code and opening a project folder Beyond Pass
You will install VS Code, learn a few basic controls, and open a dedicated project folder so every file you create for your work stays organised in one place. This prepares the editor you will later use with Claude Code.
6 build steps2 exercises3 questions - 4
Starting your first Claude Code session in VS Code Beyond Pass
You learn how to open the VS Code terminal, start a Claude Code session by typing claude, and read its prompt and status bar. You also see how Claude Code can create files in your current folder, unlike a normal chat app.
4 build steps2 exercises3 questions - 5
Resuming sessions and choosing permission modes Beyond Pass
You will learn how to end a Claude Code session, bring back a previous one with /resume, and switch between the four permission modes (plan, accept edits, auto, bypass) with Shift+Tab. You will also learn which mode fits which kind of work.
5 build steps2 exercises4 questions - 6
Planning and building an app with plan mode and /goal Beyond Pass
You will learn how Claude Code's plan mode turns a rough idea into a clear, reviewed plan by asking questions first. You will also learn how the /goal command makes the AI keep working in a loop, checked by an evaluator, until a stated goal is met.
6 build steps2 exercises4 questions - 7
Installing and using skills in Claude Code Beyond Pass
You will learn what a skill is (a reusable step-by-step guide that teaches the AI how to do a job), and how to find, install, reload and trigger one in Claude Code. You will also see how a skill can package a whole multi-step pipeline such as a bug-fix workflow.
5 build steps2 exercises4 questions - 8
Reading your project files, and writing CLAUDE.md and agent rules Beyond Pass
You learn what the main files and folders in an AI-agent project are for, and which ones hold the rules the agent follows. You also learn how a shared AGENTS.md differs from a CLAUDE.md that only Claude Code reads.
1 code5 build steps1 exercise3 questions - 9
Managing context with /context and /compact, plus built-in commands and rewind Beyond Pass
You learn what the context window is, why filling it up hurts the model's accuracy, and how to watch usage with /context and shrink it with /compact or /clear. You also meet the most useful built-in slash commands (/model, /clear, /plugins) and how /rewind restores an earlier point in the conversation.
5 build steps2 exercises4 questions - 10
Version control with Git and GitHub for Claude Code projects Beyond Pass
You learn why version control matters when working with Claude Code, and how a Git repository on GitHub keeps a history of every change you can browse, compare and roll back. You also see how to connect outside tools with MCP and when to pick MCP or a CLI.
2 code4 build steps2 exercises3 questions
Final project
Ship a Tiny App with Claude Code, from Empty Folder to Live URL
Use Claude Code in VS Code to plan, build, rule-govern, version and deploy a small to-do web app. You will practise the full workflow from the course: sessions, permission modes, plan mode, /goal, a skill, CLAUDE.md, context management, Git/GitHub and Vercel. The end result is a live link and a repository with a clear history.
Its 7 tasks open with Beyond Pass.
Free preview · Lesson 1 in full
Course overview: what you will learn and build with Claude Code
This overview introduces the whole Claude Code course: who it is for, what you need, and the topics it covers from installation to deployment. It sets the path you will follow, so you know what each later lesson builds toward.
Draw and write next to the video.
The idea
Claude Code is an AI coding assistant that you use from your terminal. The course is written for absolute beginners: you do not need to be a developer or have technical experience. You need a working laptop and a Claude subscription, and that is all the video asks for before you start.
The course promises to take you from beginner to confident user in about 60 minutes. The instructor, Eric, is a former senior software engineer who worked at Amazon and Microsoft. He says he uses Claude Code every day to build his own startup, Booker.ai, covering development, marketing and operations.
The course follows a clear path. First you install Claude Code on your local machine, then learn the basics. Next you explore project file structures, the files Claude Code generates, the CLAUDE.md file, slash commands, and Git for version control. Then you learn to run autonomous tasks using goals.
After that you connect Claude Code to outside tools. The Model Context Protocol (MCP) and command-line tools let it talk to apps you already use, such as Jira and Slack. Finally you see how to deploy an application you built in the video, and the course closes with a FAQ built from common learner questions and the latest advice from Anthropic.
The chapter you are reading is only the map. Keep it in mind as you go: each later lesson adds one piece, and the pieces build on each other in the order listed above.
Key points
- Claude Code is built for beginners; a working laptop and a Claude subscription are the only requirements named. 0:00
- The course order is: install, basics, file structure and CLAUDE.md, slash commands, Git, autonomous goals. 0:26
- The later part connects Claude Code to MCP and tools like Jira and Slack, then deploys a built app. 0:50
- The course ends with an FAQ and Anthropic's latest guidance on using Claude Code well. 2:24
Build along in the practice terminal
- Check that your laptop works and that you have an active Claude subscription. Nothing else is needed before the install lesson. You should see: You are ready to install Claude Code in the next chapter.
- Write down the course topics in order on paper or in your notes app: install, basics, files and CLAUDE.md, slash commands, Git, goals, MCP, deploy, FAQ. You should see: You have a checklist to tick off as you finish each chapter.
Practice
In your own words, explain why a beginner might choose this course, and name two things it will teach you to do.
Solution
- Read the promise: beginners with no developer background can learn to use Claude Code in about an hour.
- Name two topics from the plan, for example installing Claude Code and deploying an app.
- Say why the order matters: each step builds on the one before.
A model answer: This course is for complete beginners who want to use Claude Code without prior coding skills. It teaches installing Claude Code on your computer, and deploying an app you built. It goes step by step, so each lesson builds on the last.
Make your own course plan: write the eight or nine topics from the overview in order and next to each one write one thing you hope to build or learn.
Hint
Use the order from the video: install, basics, files, CLAUDE.md, slash commands, Git, goals, MCP, deploy, FAQ.
Solution
- Open a note or sheet.
- Copy the topics in the video's order.
- Add a goal or question for each topic in your own words.
A written plan with the topics in order and one personal goal per topic.
On your scratchpad
Draw a simple road map: a line of boxes labelled Install, Basics, Files, Slash commands, Git, Goals, MCP, Deploy, FAQ, and mark where you are now.
Quiz
What do you need before starting this course, according to the overview?
- A computer science degree and coding experience
- A working laptop and a Claude subscription
- A paid cloud server and a GitHub Pro account
- Experience with Python and JavaScript
Show the answer
B. A working laptop and a Claude subscription · The instructor says no technical or developer experience is needed, only a working laptop and a Claude subscription.
0:07 watch the momentWhich topic comes right after the basics in the course plan?
- Deploying the app
- Connecting to Jira and Slack
- Exploring file structures, CLAUDE.md, slash commands and Git
- The FAQ
Show the answer
C. Exploring file structures, CLAUDE.md, slash commands and Git · The overview lists file structures, the CLAUDE.md file, context and slash commands, and Git right after the fundamentals.
0:27 watch the momentWhat does MCP let Claude Code do?
- Replace the terminal
- Connect to remote tools and apps you use daily
- Install Node.js automatically
- Write a book for you
Show the answer
B. Connect to remote tools and apps you use daily · The Model Context Protocol connects Claude Code to remote tools such as Jira and Slack.
0:39 watch the moment
Lessons 2–10 and the final project
They open with Beyond Pass: every lesson of every course, in full. One payment: $14.99 for 90 days or $29 for a year. No subscription.
Made by Beyond from the video “Claude Code Full Course – Autonomous Goals, MCP, and VS Code Setup” by freeCodeCamp.org. The video plays in YouTube's own player. Watch it on YouTube · All lessons