Introduction to Claude Code for Non-Developers Training Course

Phase 1 — Introduction to Claude Code — 30 minutes

• An overview of Claude and the distinct features of Claude Code compared to standard chat
• Orientation: Focus on the Claude application (web or desktop) for this session; the CLI and other interfaces are detailed in the reference card
• Interface walkthrough: Initiating a coding session and exploring the workspace
• How Claude Code operates: The describe → plan → act → review cycle
• Understanding permissions: The rationale behind Claude requesting approval before creating files or executing code
• First project: Instructing Claude to generate a simple styled webpage from a single-sentence description
• Refining outputs: Requests such as "enlarge the header," "modify the color scheme," or "add a navigation bar"
• Guided exercise: Participants initiate a session to create a personalized "About Me" webpage, iterating through follow-up instructions

Objective: Ensure all participants overcome the initial interaction barrier and feel comfortable with the interface.

Break — 7 minutes

Phase 2 — Creating Practical Solutions with Natural Language — 55 minutes

Three tasks of increasing complexity, completed exclusively with natural language prompts.

• Task 1 — Interactive dashboard: Create a styled dashboard with sample data, charts, and statistics. Practice providing design directives like "apply a dark theme," "include a sidebar," or "ensure responsiveness."
• Task 2 — Data analysis: Provide a sample CSV file and ask Claude to summarize it, identify trends, locate highs and lows, and generate visual charts. This demonstrates Claude writing and executing code on your behalf.
• Task 3 — Automation tool: Develop a simple utility, such as a unit converter, quiz application, or budget calculator. This introduces the concept that Claude can build interactive tools, not just static pages.

Following each task, the instructor explains the backend processes: files created, code generated, and interpreting the output. Participants record their most effective prompts in a shared Prompt Playbook.

Break — 7 minutes

Phase 3 — Optimizing Workflow with Claude Code — 35 minutes

• The art of effective prompting: Comparing specific versus vague instructions
• Live demonstration: A side-by-side comparison of weak and strong prompts for the same task
• Iteration and refinement: Asking Claude to explain decisions, revert changes, or try alternative approaches
• Handling uploaded files: Requests like "summarize this document" or "convert this spreadsheet into a chart"
• Multi-step workflows: Chaining requests to generate complex outputs
• Understanding costs and usage: How tokens, context windows, and subscription tiers function
• Distinguishing when to use Claude Code versus standard Claude chat
• Guided exercise: Participants enhance one of their Phase 2 projects with a new feature using a multi-step prompt, then analyze before-and-after prompts to identify key differences

Objective: Progress from "it works" to achieving consistent, high-quality results.

Break — 7 minutes

Phase 4 — Integrating Claude with Your Tools via MCP — 34 minutes

Pre-class preparation: Participants received email instructions to connect Gmail or Google Drive prior to the session, allowing class time to focus on utilizing the connection rather than authentication.

• Introduction to MCP (Model Context Protocol): The universal integration system for AI tools
• The importance of MCP: Transforming Claude from a chat assistant into a connected workflow hub
• The Connectors Directory: Browsing and adding integrations directly within the Claude app
• Desktop Extensions: One-click installations (specifically for Claude Desktop users)
• Live demonstration (single workflow): "Check my Google Calendar for tomorrow's meetings and draft a preparation email for each"
• Guided exercise: Participants use their pre-connected service (or connect one live) to assign a task to Claude, such as "Read my recent emails regarding project updates and create a summary document"
• Key concepts: OAuth, permissions, managing tool access per conversation, security awareness, and locating new connectors

Objective: View Claude as a connective layer rather than just a coding tool.

Phase 5 — Capstone Project & Summary — 35 minutes

Capstone mini-project (25 min): Each participant selects one of the following scenarios:

1. A polished landing page or portfolio site
2. A data analysis pipeline: Uploading a file, analyzing it, and generating a visual report
3. An interactive tool solving a specific problem in their workflow
4. A connected workflow: Retrieving data from the service connected in Phase 4, transforming it, and producing a final deliverable

The instructor provides support, helps refine prompts, and highlights exemplary projects.

Wrap-up (10 min):

• Next steps: Claude Code CLI for terminal users, VS Code extension for developers, and Cowork for knowledge workers
• Subscription plans: Free vs. Pro vs. Max — detailing features unlocked and suitable use cases for each
• Recommended resources: Official documentation, Anthropic's prompt engineering guide, and community channels
• Participants receive a reference card covering prompting patterns, connector setup, and useful MCP integrations