Introduction to Claude Code for Non-Developers Training Course

Phase 1 — Introduction to Claude Code — 30 minutes

• Understanding what Claude is and the distinct capabilities of Claude Code compared to standard chat interactions
• Orientation: Today, we will utilise the Claude application (web or desktop); command-line interfaces (CLI) and other environments are detailed in the reference materials
• Navigating the interface: initiating coding sessions and understanding the workspace layout
• The Claude Code workflow: the describe → plan → act → review cycle
• Permission management: understanding why Claude requests confirmation before creating files or executing code
• Initial build: instructing Claude to generate a simple, styled webpage from a single-sentence description
• Refining results: applying instructions such as "enlarge the header," "adjust the colour scheme," or "insert a navigation bar"
• Guided exercise: Participants will initiate a session to create a personalised "About Me" webpage, iterating on the design through follow-up prompts

Objective: Ensure all participants overcome initial interface barriers and feel confident navigating the platform.

Break — 7 minutes

Phase 2 — Creating Practical Solutions with Plain English — 55 minutes

Three tasks of increasing complexity, executed using natural language prompts.

• Task 1 — Interactive dashboard: Designing a styled dashboard with sample data, charts, and statistics. Practising design direction: "apply a dark theme," "insert a sidebar," "ensure mobile responsiveness."
• Task 2 — Data analysis: Providing a sample CSV file and requesting Claude to summarise data, identify trends, detect peaks and troughs, and generate visual charts. This demonstrates Claude’s ability to write and execute code on your behalf.
• Task 3 — Automation tool: Building a simple utility such as a unit converter, quiz application, or budget calculator. This introduces the concept that Claude can develop interactive tools, not just static pages.

Following each task, the instructor will explain the backend processes: files created, code generated, and how to interpret the output. Participants will record their most effective prompts in a shared Prompt Playbook.

Break — 7 minutes

Phase 3 — Optimising Workflows with Claude Code — 35 minutes

• The art of effective prompting: comparing specific versus vague instructions
• Live demonstration: A side-by-side comparison of weak and strong prompts applied to the same task
• Iteration and refinement: Requesting Claude to explain decisions, revert changes, or adopt alternative approaches
• Working with uploaded files: Directing Claude to "read this document and summarise it" or "convert this spreadsheet into a chart"
• Multi-step workflows: Chaining requests to generate complex outputs
• Understanding costs and usage: How tokens, context windows, and subscription tiers function
• Differentiating use cases: When to choose Claude Code over standard Claude chat
• Guided exercise: Participants will extend a Phase 2 project by adding a new feature using a multi-step prompt, then compare before-and-after prompts to analyse what drove the improved results

Objective: Progress from "it works" to consistently achieving high-quality results.

Break — 7 minutes

Phase 4 — Integrating Claude with Your Tools via MCP — 34 minutes

Pre-class preparation: Participants received email instructions to connect Gmail or Google Drive prior to the session, allowing class time to focus on utilisation rather than authentication.

• Overview of MCP (Model Context Protocol): The universal integration standard for AI tools
• The value of MCP: Transforming Claude from a chat assistant into a connected workflow hub
• The Connectors Directory: Browsing and adding integrations directly within the Claude app
• Desktop Extensions: One-click installations (for Claude Desktop users)
• Live demonstration (single workflow): "Check my Google Calendar for tomorrow's meetings and draft a preparation email for each"
• Guided exercise: Participants will use their pre-connected service (or connect one live) to assign a task to Claude — for example, "Read my recent emails regarding project updates and create a summary document"
• Key concepts: OAuth, permissions, managing tool access per conversation, security considerations, and locating new connectors

Objective: Participants will perceive Claude as a connective layer, extending beyond just a coding tool.

Phase 5 — Capstone Project & Conclusion — 35 minutes

Capstone mini-project (25 min): Each participant will select one scenario:

1. A polished landing page or portfolio site
2. A data analysis pipeline: uploading a file, analysing it, and generating a visual report
3. An interactive tool addressing a real problem in their workflow
4. A connected workflow: extracting data from the service connected in Phase 4, transforming it, and producing a final deliverable

The instructor will circulate to assist with prompt refinement and highlight standout examples.

Conclusion (10 min):

• Next steps: Claude Code CLI for terminal users, VS Code extension for developers, and Cowork for knowledge workers
• Subscription plans: Free vs. Pro vs. Max — understanding what each tier unlocks and which suits specific use cases
• Recommended resources: Official documentation, Anthropic’s prompt engineering guide, and community channels
• Participants will receive a reference card covering prompting patterns, connector setup, and useful MCP integrations