Getting Started | Claude Code Demo

Prerequisites: Claude Code runs in your computer's terminal (command line). No programming experience is required, but you'll need to be comfortable typing commands. This guide will walk you through everything.

Installation Steps

Create an Anthropic Account

Visit console.anthropic.com and create an account. You'll need this to get an API key that allows Claude Code to communicate with Claude.

Note: Claude Code requires API credits. New accounts receive some free credits; additional usage requires a paid plan.

Install Node.js (if needed)

Claude Code requires Node.js version 18 or higher. Check if you have it installed by opening Terminal and typing:

node --version

If you see a version number (v18 or higher), you're set. If not, download Node.js from nodejs.org (choose the LTS version).

Install Claude Code

Open your Terminal application and run this command:

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

This installs Claude Code globally on your system.

Launch Claude Code

Navigate to a folder where you want to work and start Claude Code:

# Navigate to your desired folder
cd ~/Documents/MyProject

# Start Claude Code
claude

On first launch, you'll be prompted to authenticate with your Anthropic account.

Start Conversing

You're ready to go! Simply type your request in natural language:

> Create a grading rubric for a marketing presentation

Claude Code will ask for clarification if needed, then create the files for you.

Opening the Terminal

On Mac

Press Cmd + Space to open Spotlight
Type "Terminal" and press Enter
Or find Terminal in Applications → Utilities

On Windows

Press Win + X and select "Terminal"
Or search for "PowerShell" in the Start menu
Or use Windows Terminal from the Microsoft Store

Your First Project: Try These Prompts

Once Claude Code is running, try these example prompts to see what it can do:

Create a Course Syllabus Template

> Create a syllabus template for an undergraduate business course.
Include sections for course description, learning objectives, grading
breakdown, schedule placeholder, and policies. Format it as an HTML
file with clean styling.

Analyze a Data File

> Read the file grades.csv in this folder and create a summary report
showing the distribution of grades, average scores, and any students
who may need additional support (scoring below 70%).

Build a Simple Website

> Create a simple course website for MKT 301 Introduction to Marketing.
Include a home page, schedule page, and resources page. Use a clean,
professional design with DePaul's blue color scheme.

Generate Assessment Materials

> Create a peer evaluation form for group projects. Include criteria
for contribution, collaboration, communication, and reliability.
Use a 5-point scale with space for comments. Save as both HTML and
a printable PDF-ready format.

Tips for Effective Use

Be Specific

The more detail you provide, the better the output. Instead of "create a rubric," say "create a rubric for a 10-page research paper with criteria for thesis, evidence, analysis, writing quality, and citations, worth 100 points total."

Iterate

Start with a basic request, review the output, then refine. "Make the writing quality section more detailed" or "Add a row for creativity" works after the initial creation.

Work in Project Folders

Create a dedicated folder for each project. Claude Code works within your current directory, so organizing your work in folders keeps files manageable.

Review Permissions

Claude Code will ask before performing significant actions. Take a moment to review what it's proposing, especially for file modifications or command execution.

Provide Context

Tell Claude Code about existing files: "Read the syllabus.docx in this folder and create a matching assignment sheet" helps it match your existing style.

Ask for Explanations

Not sure what Claude Code did? Ask: "Explain what files you created and what each one does." It's also great for learning new tools and techniques.

Common Commands

Command	Description
`claude`	Start Claude Code in the current directory
`/help`	Show available commands and help
`/clear`	Clear the conversation history
`Ctrl + C`	Cancel the current operation
`exit` or `Ctrl + D`	Exit Claude Code

Troubleshooting

"Command not found: claude"

The installation may not have added Claude Code to your system path. Try:

# Close and reopen Terminal, then try again
claude

# Or run directly with npx
npx @anthropic-ai/claude-code

"Authentication failed"

Your API key may have expired or been entered incorrectly. Run Claude Code again and follow the authentication prompts, or check your API key at console.anthropic.com.

"Rate limit exceeded"

You've made too many requests in a short period. Wait a few moments and try again, or check your usage limits in your Anthropic account.

Need More Help?

Visit the official Claude Code documentation or the GitHub repository for detailed guides and community support.

Getting Started with Claude Code