Course Outline
Phase 1 — Introduction to Claude Code — 30 minutes
- Overview of Claude and the unique features of Claude Code compared to standard chat functions.
- Quick orientation: We will be using the Claude app (web or desktop) today; additional interfaces such as the command-line interface (CLI) are detailed in the reference card.
- Interface tour: Initiating a coding session and navigating the workspace.
- Claude Code's cognitive process: The describe → plan → act → review loop.
- Understanding permissions: Why Claude requests authorization before creating files or executing code.
- Your first build: Instructing Claude to create a simple styled webpage from a brief description.
- Iterating on results: Refining the webpage with commands like “increase header size,” “alter color scheme,” and “add navigation bar.”
- Guided exercise: Participants will start a session and develop a personalized “About Me” webpage, refining it through follow-up instructions.
Goal: Ensure all participants are comfortable with the initial interaction and interface.
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Break — 7 minutes |
Phase 2 — Building Real Applications with Plain English — 55 minutes
Three progressively complex tasks using natural language prompts.
- Task 1 — Interactive dashboard: Create a styled dashboard with sample data, charts, and statistics. Practice giving design directions such as “use a dark theme,” “add a sidebar,” and “make it responsive.”
- Task 2 — Data analysis: Provide a sample CSV file and ask Claude to summarize, identify trends, find highs and lows, and generate a visual chart. This demonstrates Claude’s ability to write and execute code on your behalf.
- Task 3 — Automation tool: Build a simple utility such as a unit converter, quiz app, or budget calculator. Introduces the concept that Claude can create interactive tools, not just static pages.
After each task, the instructor will highlight what Claude did behind the scenes: files created, code written, and how to interpret the output. Participants will document their most effective prompts in a shared Prompt Playbook.
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Break — 7 minutes |
Phase 3 — Enhancing Efficiency with Claude Code — 35 minutes
- The art of effective prompting: Specific vs. vague instructions.
- Live demo: Side-by-side comparison of weak and strong prompts for the same task.
- Iterating and refining: Asking Claude to explain choices, undo changes, or try a different approach.
- Working with uploaded files: Tasks such as “read this document and summarize it” or “convert this spreadsheet into a chart.”
- Multi-step workflows: Chaining requests to create complex outputs.
- Understanding cost and usage: How tokens, context windows, and subscription tiers function.
- When to use Claude Code versus regular Claude chat.
- Guided exercise: Participants will extend one of their Phase 2 projects with a new feature using a multi-step prompt, then compare before-and-after prompts to identify what made the difference.
Goal: Elevate performance from “it works” to consistently achieving high-quality results.
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Break — 7 minutes |
Phase 4 — Integrating Claude with Your Tools using MCP — 34 minutes
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Pre-class: Participants were emailed instructions to connect Gmail or Google Drive before the session, so classroom time will focus on using these connections rather than authentication. |
- What is MCP (Model Context Protocol)? The universal connector system for AI tools.
- Why MCP matters: 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 installs (for Claude Desktop users).
- Live demo (one workflow): “Check my Google Calendar for tomorrow’s meetings and draft a prep email for each one.”
- Guided exercise: Participants will use their pre-connected service (or connect one live) to give Claude a task, such as “Read my recent emails about project updates and create a summary document.”
- Key concepts: OAuth, permissions, managing tool access per conversation, security awareness, and where to find new connectors.
Goal: Participants will view Claude as an integrative layer, not just a coding tool.
Phase 5 — Capstone & Wrap-Up — 35 minutes
Capstone mini-project (25 min): Each participant chooses one scenario:
- A polished landing page or portfolio site.
- A data analysis pipeline: Upload a file, analyze it, and produce a visual report.
- An interactive tool addressing a real problem from their workflow.
- A connected workflow: Pull data from the service they connected in Phase 4, transform it, and produce a deliverable.
The instructor will circulate to assist with refining prompts and showcase standout examples.
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 — what each offers and which best fits different use cases.
- Recommended resources: Official documentation, Anthropic’s prompt engineering guide, and community channels.
- Participants will leave with a reference card covering prompting patterns, connector setup, and useful MCP integrations for government use.
Requirements
Requirements
An Understanding of
- Basic computer literacy: navigating files and folders, using a web browser, and installing applications.
- General awareness of AI assistant capabilities (e.g., familiarity with ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude can provide helpful context but is not mandatory).
Experience With
- No coding, programming, or terminal experience is required. This course is designed for individuals who have never written a line of code.
- Prior experience with Claude or any AI tool is not necessary.
Technical Requirements
- Participants should bring a laptop (Mac, Windows, or Linux) equipped with a modern web browser.
- A stable internet connection is essential.
- A Claude Pro subscription is required for the session (a one-month gift subscription is included with course registration; setup instructions will be provided before class).
- While Claude Desktop is recommended, the web app at claude.ai is sufficient for all exercises.
- A Google account is recommended for the MCP connectors exercise (Gmail, Google Drive, Google Calendar), but alternative connector options are available.
Audience
- Business professionals seeking to leverage AI for enhanced productivity and automation.
- Marketers, operations managers, and analysts interested in automating repetitive tasks.
- Founders and entrepreneurs aiming to build prototypes without hiring a developer.
- Educators and researchers exploring AI-assisted workflows for government and academic settings.
- Individuals curious about Claude's capabilities, regardless of their technical background.
Testimonials (2)
That i gained a knowledge regarding streamlit library from python and for sure i'll try to use it to improve applications in my team which are made in R shiny
Michal Maj - XL Catlin Services SE (AXA XL)
Course - GitHub Copilot for Developers
Trainer able to adjust the course level during training to fit our understanding level on the topic, so that we could gain more useful knowledge that could further help us harness the tools in our daily works.
