How to Conquer Claude

Before you start

You don’t need to know how to code. Claude Code runs in a terminal, but Claude does the typing — you just talk to it. Think of it less like programming and more like texting a very capable assistant who lives in your computer.

Step 1 — Get Claude Code

Claude Code is the premium, full-power version of Claude. The browser version is fine for chatting. This is where you actually build things.

Install it:

1. Make sure you have Node.js installed on your computer — download it free at nodejs.org
2. Open your Terminal (Mac) or Command Prompt (Windows)
3. Paste this and hit Enter:

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

4. Follow the prompts to log in with your Anthropic account

💡 Fewer than 0.04% of people are using Claude Code. You’re already ahead just by setting it up.

Step 2 — Pick your IDE

An IDE is the app where Claude Code lives and works. Think of it as Claude’s home base — it’s where you’ll open projects, run commands, and see Claude do its thing.

The two best options:

• Cursor: cursor.sh — built for AI, most popular with Claude users
• VS Code: code.visualstudio.com — free, widely used, very stable

Download either one, open a project folder, and Claude Code will be available inside it.

Step 3 — Add your first skill

A skill is a simple text file (ending in .md) that teaches Claude exactly how to do something. You drop it into your project and Claude reads it automatically every session.

Examples of what skills can do:

• Write social media scripts in your voice
• Edit and render videos
• Build carousels
• Run full SEO audits

How to install a skill:

1. In your project folder, create a folder called .claude
2. Inside that, create a folder called skills
3. Drop the skill’s .md file inside
4. Claude picks it up automatically — no setup needed

Where to find skills: Search GitHub for claude code skills — thousands of free ones exist. Start with just one and master it before adding more.

your-project/
└── .claude/
    └── skills/
        └── your-skill-name.md

Step 4 — Add your plugins

Plugins extend what Claude Code can do. The plugin store has 100+ options — don’t install them all. Pick one that matches what you actually do every week.

Popular plugins by use case:

To browse plugins, type /plugins inside Claude Code.

One plugin you actually use beats 50 you don’t. Master one, then add more.

Step 5 — Connect your tools with MCPs

MCPs let Claude Code reach into your external apps and actually do things — not just describe what to do. This is where it goes from assistant to teammate.

Tools you can connect:

• Gmail, Notion, Google Drive
• Figma, Slack, Stripe
• Design systems like ShadCN

To add an MCP, type /mcp add in Claude Code and follow the prompts.

Example of what’s possible:

“Pull last week’s Stripe revenue and post a summary in our #wins Slack channel.”

Done in seconds. No copy-pasting. No tab-switching.

Step 6 — Create two files that run your AI

These two files do more than 30 prompts combined. Drop them in your project root and Claude reads them every single session.

📄 CLAUDE.md

This file tells Claude who you are and what you’re building.

What to include:

• Who you are and what you do
• Who you’re building for
• What matters most this week
• Your tone and communication style

Mine is about 200 lines. The longer and more specific, the better.

🚫 anti-style.md

This file tells Claude what it must never say or do.

What to include:

• Phrases you hate (e.g. “delve”, “boundaries”, “elevate”, “dive into”)
• Formatting you don’t want
• Topics to avoid
• Any output style that doesn’t match your brand

Every time Claude produces something generic or off-brand, add that pattern to this file.

You’re set up. Now what?

The setup above takes about an hour. What you do with it after that is up to you — but here’s a simple first prompt to try once everything is in place:

Help me write a week of Instagram captions in my brand voice using my skill file.