Already installed it? Here’s how to actually use it.
1. Open your project
cd C:\path\to\your\project
claude
Always start it inside the project folder — that’s the code it can see.
2. Give it one clear task
Type a single, concrete request. Good first tasks:
Add a dark-mode toggle to the navbar and persist it in localStorage.
Be specific about the goal, not the steps. Vague prompts get vague results.
3. Let it work, then review
Claude Code shows the changes it wants to make and asks before editing files or running commands. Read the diff, then approve. You stay in control.
4. The three things worth knowing on day one
- Plan first for anything non-trivial. Ask it to “plan this before writing code” so you can course-correct cheaply.
- It reads the repo. You don’t need to paste files — point it at paths.
- One task at a time. Finish and verify before piling on the next request.