Quickstart

Up and Running (20 minutes)

What You’ll Accomplish

• Install Claude Code
• Download our starter workspace
• Run your first command

Part 1: Install Claude Code (5 minutes)

What it is: Claude Code can read, write, and organize files based on your instructions.

Download Claude Code CLI

1. Open your terminal:
   • Mac: Search for “Terminal” in Spotlight (Cmd+Space)
   • Windows: Open PowerShell (search in Start menu)
   • Linux: Open your terminal app (Ctrl+Alt+T on most distros)

The terminal should look like this (Look for a window with a black or white background and a command prompt ending in %, $, or >)

Copy this and put into your terminal:

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

If you run into issues, see Claude Quickstart

To get started type in:

claude

Select your login method (Recommended: 1. Claude account with subscription)

Get a Claude Pro/Max Account

You will be prompted to log in or create a Claude account.

You’ll need either:

• Claude Pro ($20/month)
• Claude Max ($100-200/month)

Which one? I recommend a $100/month Max plan (smarter models, more usage)

Once you signup, you’ll be directed to go back to the terminal.

Part 2: Get the Starter Kit (5 minutes)

We’ll create a folder on your computer where:

• You store all your notes and tasks (like Notion, but local)
• Claude Code can read and edit everything
• You run commands like /daily
• Delegate tasks to Claude

Download The Workspace

In terminal, copy and paste these commands:

# Navigate to Desktop
cd ~/Desktop

# Download the starter workspace
curl -L https://github.com/derek-larson14/feed-the-beast/archive/main.zip -o starter.zip

# Extract and clean up
unzip starter.zip && rm starter.zip

# Rename to claude-workspace
mv feed-the-beast-main claude-workspace

# Enter the workspace
cd claude-workspace

# List files to confirm
ls

You should see files like roadmap.md, tasks.md, etc.

Note: in Module 2 we will install Obsidian which makes editing your files and navigating easier.

Feel free to rename the claude-workspace folder to whatever you wish

Part 3: First Command (5 minutes)

Understanding the Setup

Think of it like this:

• Terminal = Your car that drives you to work
• Claude Code = Your assistant who works at your desk
• Your workspace folder = Your desk with all your files

You use Terminal to get to your workspace, then Claude Code to work with your files.

Start Claude Code

In your terminal (still in the claude-workspace folder):

claude

You should see something that looks like this:

Run Your First Command

In Claude Code, type:

/daily

Example output:

BRIEF - Nov 20

STATE OF AFFAIRS:
Setting up Claude workspace. Need to test basic commands and get familiar with the workflow.

💰 KEY OPPORTUNITIES:
□ Complete Module 1 setup
□ Download Obsidian for accesing my workspace

🔓 BLOCKERS:
None currently

🎯 ONE THING:
If you do nothing else today: complete module 1

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

What happened?

1. Claude read the file .claude/commands/daily.md which contains instructions
2. Claude searched your workspace for relevant files (tasks, calendar, etc.)
3. Claude generated this formatted output based on what it found
4. You can edit .claude/commands/daily.md to change what this command does

Key insight: Slash commands are markdown files with instructions. You’re not limited to these - you can type in any request you can imagine.

Part 4: Understanding What You Built (5 minutes)

Basic Commands to Try

/status

Shows usage, settings, configuration

/help

Lists tips, and commands

Finding Your Workspace Again

Next time you want to use Claude Code:

Option 1: From Terminal

cd ~/Desktop/claude-workspace
claude

Option 2: From File Explorer

• Mac: Right-click folder → Services → New Terminal at Folder → type claude
• Windows: Right-click folder → Open in Terminal → type claude
• Linux: Right-click folder → Open Terminal Here → type claude

Lost your workspace?

# See where you are
pwd

# List what's here
ls

# Navigate to Desktop (or wherever you put it)
cd ~/Desktop

# Look for your workspace
ls

# Enter it
cd claude-workspace

Pro tip: Terminal always starts in your home folder. And the command will be the same to get to your workspace file each time

Note: Once we install Obsidian in Module 2, navigating to your workspace will be easier

When Things Go Wrong

LLMs are imperfect by nature. What works for us may break for you. When in doubt:

• Press ESC twice to retry the command
• Tweak the prompt and iterate

If you’re really stuck, email support@newyorkai.org

Checkpoint

You should now have:

• Claude Code installed and running
• Workspace downloaded and set up
• Successfully ran /daily command
• Understand basic file structure

What’s Next

Module 2: Power Tools

• Obsidian (or an IDE) for note editing
• Better terminal with multiline support
• Git for version control and /push command (optional)