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Launching Claude Code (for the first time)

Published

Feb 6, 2026

Walk through launching Claude Code for the first time, from opening the terminal to creating your first project and making your first edits. This lesson covers the hands-on basics: starting Claude Code, understanding what you see in the interface, creating a project folder, and giving Claude its first tasks.

You'll see the full beginner flow in action — creating a simple HTML file, watching how Claude shows its proposed changes with red and green diff markers, handling permission prompts, and toggling between permission modes. This is the practical foundation for everything that follows in the course.

  • Launching Claude Code by typing claude in the terminal
  • Understanding the startup banner: version number, default model, and current directory
  • Creating a project folder and starting Claude Code inside it
  • Giving Claude its first task: creating a simple HTML file
  • How permission prompts work by default and how to accept all edits for a session
  • Reading Claude's diff output: red lines for deletions, green lines for additions
  • Exiting Claude Code with Control+C
  • Why the course points to the official docs for installation rather than step-by-step walkthroughs
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