Claude Code for beginners: your first chill session (no terminal)

Short answer: yes. Claude Code is Anthropic's AI coding agent. Beginners can use it without a terminal through the Code tab in the Claude desktop app (it needs a paid Claude plan, so check current pricing). Pick a test folder, start in Plan mode, keep approvals on Manual, and ask for one small change at a time.

Your first session, step by step

1. Install the Claude desktop app, sign in, and open the Code tab.
2. Choose Local and select a new, empty test folder (not your important files).
3. Set the permission mode to Manual so you approve every change.
4. Paste the first prompt below.

Prompt 1: plan before building

I'm a complete beginner. I want to build: [ONE SENTENCE IDEA].
Plan how you'd build the simplest version. Don't change any files yet. List the steps in plain English and tell me what each one does.

Prompt 2: set up the house rules

Please create a CLAUDE.md for this project with beginner rules: explain changes in plain English, one small change at a time, never expose secrets, ask before deleting anything, and stop to rethink if a fix fails twice.

(Already have an AGENTS.md? Make the first line of CLAUDE.md say @AGENTS.md. See AGENTS.md for beginners.)

Prompt 3: build one step

Let's do step 1 only. Make the smallest change that works, then tell me exactly how to open and test it.

SI's chill tips

• Review the changes Claude shows you before accepting. You can ask, "Explain this change like I'm new."
• Stuck in a loop? Use Break the Loop.
• Before going live, run the secrets safety check.