Claude Code for Non-Developers Training Course

• Overview of Claude capabilities and the distinct functionality of Claude Code compared to standard conversational interfaces.
• Catalog of the Claude product suite: claude.ai, Claude Desktop, and Claude Code (Command Line Interface), including their interoperability.
• Interface orientation: navigation protocols, initiating coding environments, and workspace management.
• Operational methodology: the describe-plan-act-review cycle.
• Security and permissions framework: justification for authorization requests regarding file creation and code execution.
• Initial development exercise: generation of a basic styled webpage based on natural language specifications.
• Iterative refinement techniques: modifying header dimensions, adjusting color palettes, and implementing navigation structures.
• Guided Exercise: Participants initiate a Claude Code session via the application to construct a personalized "About Me" webpage using plain English descriptions. Participants practice iterative refinement through subsequent instructional inputs. This phase is designed to ensure proficiency with the interface and overcome initial adoption barriers for government.

Objective: Ensure all participants are competent in interface navigation and comfortable with initial interaction.

Break — 10 minutes

Phase 2 — Implementation of Complex Solutions via Natural Language — 70 minutes

This segment constitutes the primary instructional period. Participants execute four progressively complex tasks utilizing exclusively natural language prompts.

• Task 1 — Interactive Dashboard Construction: Instruct Claude Code to generate a styled dashboard displaying sample datasets with visualizations, statistical summaries, and responsive layout. Practice providing design specifications such as theme selection, sidebar integration, and responsiveness requirements.
• Task 2 — Data Analysis: Provide a sample CSV dataset and request data summarization, trend identification, extremum detection, and visualization generation. This demonstrates the agent’s capacity to author and execute code autonomously on behalf of the user.
• Task 3 — Document Generation: Instruct Claude to process input data files and produce formatted reports, including sales summaries, project status updates, or meeting recaps. This illustrates the transformation of raw data into professional deliverables.
• Task 4 — Utility Automation: Request the development of a functional utility, such as a unit converter, quiz application, or budget calculator. This introduces the concept of generating interactive tools rather than static content.

Following each task, the instructor details backend operations, including file creation, code generation, and output interpretation. Participants document optimal prompting strategies in a shared Prompt Playbook.

Break — 10 minutes

Phase 3 — Optimization of Workflows with Claude Code — 50 minutes

• Prompt engineering principles: distinguishing between specific and ambiguous instructions.
• Live demonstration: comparative analysis of low-quality versus high-quality prompts applied to identical tasks.
• Refinement techniques: instructing Claude to explain rationale, revert changes, or explore alternative approaches.
• File integration: utilizing uploaded documents for summarization or spreadsheet-to-chart conversion.
• Multi-step workflow orchestration: chaining requests to achieve complex outputs (e.g., analyzing data prior to dashboard construction).
• Cost and usage management: understanding token consumption, context window limitations, and subscription tier distinctions relevant for government contracts.
• Strategic selection criteria: determining appropriate use cases for Claude Code versus standard Claude chat interfaces.
• Guided Exercise: Participants extend one Phase 2 project by implementing two new features via a multi-step prompt chain. Participants compare initial and final prompts to identify efficiency improvements.

Objective: Transition participants from basic functionality to consistent, high-quality result generation.

Break — 10 minutes

Phase 4 — Custom Workflow Development: Live Build Session — 60 minutes

This phase shifts from individual practice to collaborative problem-solving. The instructor facilitates while participants direct the development process, submitting real-world operational challenges and debating technical trade-offs. This approach enhances prompt judgment by observing expert navigation of uncertainty.

The session is structured around three workflow archetypes:

• Transform: Converting input X to output Y (e.g., meeting notes to action items; raw data to summary email).
• Draft: Generating initial versions of documents typically authored manually (e.g., proposals, correspondence, job descriptions).
• Analyze: Interrogating extensive datasets or documents that require rapid processing (e.g., lengthy reports, survey data, legal contracts).

Setup and Framing (10 min): The instructor introduces the three archetypes. Participants submit operational challenges via a shared document or communication channel.

Live Build #1 — Transform Workflow (20 min): The instructor selects one submitted challenge, builds the solution live while incorporating participant input regarding prompt refinement and strategic adjustments. The session concludes with a reusable prompt template for the respective participant.

Live Build #2 — Draft or Analyze Workflow (20 min): Identical format applied to a different archetype and participant challenge.

Reflection and Dissemination (10 min): Participants document key insights, including surprising prompting techniques, alternative strategies, and recurring patterns. A brief group sharing session follows, with the instructor linking observations to the broader Prompt Playbook.

Phase 5 — Integration of Claude with External Systems via MCP — 50 minutes

• Definition of MCP (Model Context Protocol): The universal connectivity framework for AI tools.
• Strategic value of MCP: Transitioning Claude from a standalone assistant to a connected workflow hub.
• The Connectors Directory: Browsing and installing integrations directly through the Claude interface.
• Desktop Extensions: One-click installation process for Claude Desktop, eliminating manual configuration requirements.

Live Demonstration: The instructor connects Claude to two external services via the Connectors UI to demonstrate cross-platform workflows:

1. "Retrieve tomorrow’s calendar entries and draft preparatory emails."
2. "Review latest project board updates and generate a status summary."
3. "Extract data from a connected service and compile a local report."

Guided Exercise: Participants connect Claude to at least one service, selecting from the following options based on comfort level:

• Option A: Connect a pre-built connector (e.g., Gmail, Google Drive) via authentication.
• Option B: Add a custom connector by inputting an MCP server URL (instructor-provided test URL).
• Option C: Install a Desktop Extension from the marketplace (for Claude Desktop users).

Participants then execute a task utilizing the connected service, such as summarizing recent email correspondence regarding project updates.

Key technical concepts addressed:

• Connector mechanics: OAuth authentication protocols, permission scopes, and data access controls.
• Access management: Enabling, disabling, and restricting tool access per conversation context for government compliance.
• Security awareness: Protocols for connecting only to authorized services and reviewing permission settings.
• The MCP ecosystem: Resources for locating connectors, extensions, and community-developed servers.

Objective: Position Claude as a connective layer integrating existing agency service infrastructure, rather than solely a development tool.

Break — 10 minutes

Phase 6 — Capstone Project and Strategic Next Steps — 65 minutes

Capstone Mini-Project (45 min): Participants select one scenario to execute with Claude:

1. A polished landing page or portfolio site for team or project representation.
2. A data analysis pipeline: file upload, automated analysis, and visual report generation.
3. An interactive utility addressing specific workflow requirements (calculator, tracker, converter, quiz).
4. A connected workflow: extracting data from integrated services, transforming it, and producing a final deliverable.

The instructor circulates to assist with prompt refinement and highlights exemplary outputs.

Showcase and Conclusion (20 min):

• Participant presentations of capstone projects (6-8 participants, 2-3 minutes each).
• Future deployment pathways: Claude Code CLI for terminal-based operations, VS Code extension for development teams, and Cowork for knowledge workers.
• MCP ecosystem expansion: Strategies for evaluating new connectors and community servers.
• Subscription planning: Differentiation between Free, Pro, and Max tiers to determine optimal fit for operational needs.
• Best practices review: Summary of effective Prompt Playbook patterns identified during the session.
• Recommended resources: Official documentation, community forums, and Anthropic’s prompt engineering guides.
• Distribution of reference materials containing key prompting patterns, connector setup procedures, and a curated list of relevant MCP integrations for government use cases.