Claude Code Tutorial for Beginners: Complete Guide (2026)

Introduction

If you've been copy-pasting code to ChatGPT, constantly switching between your editor and browser, and losing context every time - there's a better way.

Claude Code is Anthropic's official AI coding assistant that runs directly in your terminal. It understands your entire codebase, makes changes across multiple files, and even handles Git operations for you.

In this guide, I'll walk you through everything you need to get started with Claude Code.

Video Tutorial

Watch the complete video tutorial on YouTube:

Pricing: Let's Be Upfront

Before we dive in, let me be clear: Claude Code is not free.

You need at least a Claude Pro subscription:

• Claude Pro: $17/month (annual) or $20/month
• Claude Max: $100/month for heavy usage
• API Credits: Pay-as-you-go option

If you're a developer who spends hours coding every day, it's worth it. If you're just curious, you might want to wait for a free tier (if they ever add one).

Installation

The recommended way to install Claude Code is using the native installer, which gives you automatic updates.

macOS / Linux

curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash

Windows (PowerShell)

irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex

Other options include Homebrew (brew install --cask claude-code) or npm, but the native installer is what Anthropic recommends.

Verify Installation

claude --version

First Login

Start Claude Code by typing:

claude

The first time you run it:

1. Select your preferred text style for the terminal
2. Choose your authentication method (Claude subscription, API credits, or third-party platforms)
3. Authorize via browser
4. Enable recommended terminal settings

That's it - you're in!

Basic Usage

Claude Code works best inside a project folder. Let's create one:

mkdir demo-project
cd demo-project
claude

Now you can talk to Claude naturally:

What can you help me with?

Claude can read files, write code, run commands, and handle Git operations.

Creating Files

Ask Claude to create something:

Create a simple Node.js file that prints "Hello World"

Important: Claude Code always asks for permission before making changes. You're always in control.

Running Code

Run this file

Claude will execute the command and show you the output.

CLAUDE.md: Project Memory

Here's what makes Claude Code powerful - the CLAUDE.md file.

This file gives Claude memory of your project: your tech stack, commands, coding preferences, and more.

Generate Automatically

/init

This creates a basic CLAUDE.md template.

Example CLAUDE.md

# Demo Project

## Overview
A simple Node.js learning project.

## Tech Stack
- Node.js
- JavaScript

## Commands
- `node index.js` - Run the main file

## Code Style
- Use ES6+ syntax
- Add comments for clarity

Every time you start Claude Code in this folder, it reads this file and understands your project context.

Essential Commands

Here are the slash commands you'll use most often:

Command	Description
/help	Show all available commands
/clear	Clear conversation history
/context	Visualize context usage (like a fuel gauge)
/compact	Compress context to free up space
/model	Switch between Opus, Sonnet, or Haiku
/doctor	Run diagnostics if something's not working

Working with Files

Claude Code handles multi-file operations seamlessly.

Modify Existing Files

Add a function that takes a name and returns a greeting

Claude shows you the exact changes before applying them. Review and approve.

Coordinated Changes

Create a separate file for utility functions and move the greeting function there

Claude handles imports, maintains consistency, and keeps everything organized.

Building a Project: CLI Tool Demo

Let's build something from scratch:

Create a CLI tool that converts temperatures between Celsius and Fahrenheit.
It should accept a number and the source unit as arguments.

Claude creates the file with full implementation. Test it:

Run this with 32 Fahrenheit

Output: 32°F = 0°C (freezing point of water)

Add features:

Add support for Kelvin as well

Add proper error handling for invalid inputs

In minutes, you have a working CLI tool with multiple features and error handling.

Quick Tips

Resume Last Session

claude -c

This continues where you left off.

Start with a Prompt

claude "explain this codebase"

Jump straight into a task.

One-Shot Mode

claude -p "what does the greet function do"

Get an answer and exit immediately - perfect for quick questions.

Conclusion

Claude Code is an AI assistant that lives in your terminal, understands your code, and helps you build faster.

Key takeaways:

• Install with the native installer for auto-updates
• Always create a CLAUDE.md file for your projects
• Use /compact when things slow down
• Let Claude handle multi-file operations

If you found this helpful, subscribe to AyyazTech on YouTube for more AI developer tools tutorials.