Claude Code: Part 1 - Getting Started and Installation

The Problem

You've heard about AI coding assistants, but every one you've tried feels like a disconnected chatbot. They can generate code snippets, but they don't understand your project, follow your patterns, or integrate with your actual development workflow.

You need an AI teammate that works with you, not just for you - one that understands your codebase, follows your coding standards, and becomes a true development partner rather than just another code completion tool.

Meet Your New Teammate

Claude Code is like having a genius junior developer who took too many Red Bulls. Brilliant, capable of incredible work, but needs guidance on your specific project and coding patterns. The difference is that this teammate learns your project inside and out and never gets tired.

What makes Claude Code different:

Full codebase understanding - Reads and comprehends your entire project
Project-aware - Follows your existing patterns and conventions
Tool integration - Works with your development tools and services
Contextual memory - Remembers project-specific rules and preferences

Installation

Prerequisites:

Node.js (version 18 or higher)
npm or yarn package manager

Install globally:

npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

Verify installation:

claude --version

Start Claude Code:

# In your project directory
cd your-project
claude

First Session Setup

When you first run Claude Code:

Authentication - Follow the prompts to sign in
Project detection - Claude analyzes your current directory
Initial conversation - Start with a simple task to test everything works

Example first interaction:

You: "Analyze this project and tell me what kind of application this is"
Claude: [Examines your files and provides project overview]

Key Features Overview

Codebase Analysis

Claude can read and understand your entire project:

Architecture patterns - Identifies frameworks and structures
Coding conventions - Learns your style preferences
Dependencies - Understands your tech stack
Project context - Knows what your application does

Intelligent Code Generation

Goes beyond simple snippets:

Pattern matching - Follows your existing code patterns
Context-aware - Considers surrounding code and architecture
Integration-focused - Creates code that fits your project

Development Workflow Integration

Works with your existing tools:

Git integration - Understands version control context
File operations - Reads, writes, and modifies files
Build tools - Runs tests, builds, and other project commands
IDE compatibility - Works alongside your favorite editor

Your First Productive Session

Start with exploration:

"Walk me through the main components of this React application"
"Show me how authentication is currently handled"
"What testing patterns are used in this project?"

Move to practical tasks:

"Add error handling to the user registration form"
"Create a new component for displaying user notifications"
"Fix the TypeScript errors in the payment module"

Collaborate on bigger features:

"Help me plan and implement a user dashboard feature"
"Review and refactor the API service layer"
"Add comprehensive logging to the authentication flow"

Best Practices for New Users

Start Small

Begin with simple, isolated tasks
Test Claude's understanding with questions
Gradually increase task complexity

Provide Context

Explain your project's purpose and users
Share relevant business requirements
Mention any constraints or preferences

Review Everything

Always review generated code before using it
Test changes in development environment
Understand what Claude built, don't just copy-paste

Iterate and Improve

Ask follow-up questions for clarification
Request modifications when something isn't quite right
Build on previous work in the same conversation

Common Beginner Questions

Q: How much of my code can Claude see? A: Claude can read any files in your project directory when needed, but only accesses files relevant to your current task.

Q: Will Claude make changes without asking? A: Claude asks for permission before modifying files and shows you exactly what changes it will make.

Q: Can Claude learn my project's specific patterns? A: Yes! Claude learns your coding style, architecture patterns, and project conventions through analysis and your feedback.

Q: Is my code sent to external servers? A: Claude Code follows Anthropic's privacy policies. Check the latest privacy documentation for specifics about data handling.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

"Command not found" error:

# Try using npx instead
npx @anthropic-ai/claude-code

# Or check your PATH
echo $PATH

Claude seems confused about my project:

Make sure you're in the correct directory
Try asking specific questions about visible files
Provide more context about your project structure

Authentication issues:

Check your internet connection
Try logging out and back in: claude logout then claude login

What's Next?

Now that you have Claude Code running, you're ready to explore deeper features:

Project Configuration - Learn how to customize Claude for your specific project
Advanced Commands - Discover powerful built-in commands
Workflow Integration - Connect Claude with your development tools

The goal is to move from "Claude as a tool" to "Claude as a teammate" - an AI partner that understands your project deeply and helps you build better software faster.

Claude Code Blog Series

This is Part 1 of our comprehensive Claude Code guide series. Each post builds on the previous ones, taking you from beginner to power user.

Next: Part 2 - CLAUDE.md Configuration Files

Full Series:

Part 1 - Getting Started and Installation (this post)
Part 2 - CLAUDE.md Configuration Files
Part 3 - Conversation Management and Context
Part 4 - Slash Commands and Custom Commands
Part 5 - MCP Servers and Tool Integration
Part 6 - Subagents and Task Delegation
Part 7 - IDE Integration with VS Code and JetBrains
Part 8 - Hooks for Automated Quality Checks
Part 9 - Complete Development Workflows
Part 10 - Power User CLI Options and Scripting
Part 11 - Troubleshooting and Recovery