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Lesson 02 · setup

You're using Claude all wrong

Most people only chat with Claude. The real magic is when it actually builds for you, live, inside VS Code.

Set it up in 3 steps

Free, and about five minutes

Tap any black box to copy it.

  1. Get VS Code

    Download Visual Studio Code. It's free. Open Chrome or Safari and go here, then install and open it like any app:

    Open in your browser
    code.visualstudio.com
  2. Add Claude Code

    Inside VS Code, open Extensions, search "Claude Code" and click Install. Then sign in. You'll need a Claude Pro or Max plan.

    Where's Extensions?

    The four-squares icon in the left sidebar, or press Cmd or Ctrl + Shift + X. Then click the ✱ spark icon to open Claude.

  3. Open a folder and make something

    Open any folder, then tell Claude your wish. Paste this to start:

    Try this prompt
    Build me a gorgeous landing page for my coffee brand: soft pastel colours, a big friendly headline, a sign-up button, and a little about-me section. Make it stunning.

    Then watch it build, right in front of you.

Here's the mistake

Talking is not building

The thing almost everyone gets wrong: they only ever chat with Claude. Chat gives you answers, but nothing actually gets built. The fun starts when you use Claude Code, in VS Code like this, or in the Code tab of the Claude desktop app.

Chatting with Claude

You get answers. It talks back, suggests and explains, but nothing gets built.

Just talks

vs

Claude Code in VS Code

Claude makes the thing: websites, files, tools, live, right in front of your eyes.

It builds, live

"Chat talks. Code builds. Once you see it happen, you can't go back."Wendy, your AI Bestie

The secret to great results

Be specific. Be delusional.

Why do some people get stunning sites and others get basic ones? Describe your biggest, wildest vision: the colours, the vibe, every detail. The more you describe, the better it builds. Not the basic designs everyone and their uncle is making.

Your yap is your superpower.

Talk to it the way you'd brief a friend who's great at this.

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