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Building apps used to require years of coding skills. Now Claude Code lets anyone describe an idea in plain English and watch AI build it in real-time. This changes who can create software, but setup still needs technical steps.
💡 TL;DR - The 30 Seconds Version
🤖 Claude Code turns your terminal into an AI developer that builds complete apps from plain English descriptions without coding knowledge.
⚡ Setup takes 30 minutes: install Node.js, download Cursor editor, run one terminal command, and connect your $20/month Anthropic account.
📋 Claude creates detailed project plans with checkboxes, asks permission before changes, and explains each step in plain English.
🔧 Cursor's chat feature helps debug errors when Claude gets stuck, creating a two-AI support system for complex builds.
🌐 Built apps run locally at localhost:3000 for testing, then deploy to live websites using services like Netlify or Vercel.
🚀 Beginners can build recipe finders, task managers, or weather apps by describing features instead of writing code.
Claude Code turns your terminal into an AI software developer that builds apps for you. You don't need to know how to code—just describe what you want, and Claude Code handles the technical work.
This guide shows you how to set up Claude Code with Cursor (a code editor) and build your first AI app, even if you've never touched a terminal before.
Node.js is the platform Claude Code runs on. You don't need to understand it—just install it.
Cursor is a code editor that makes Claude Code easier to use. It shows your project files and lets you chat with AI when you hit problems.
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-codeIf you get permission errors, try this instead:
sudo npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
Enter your computer password when prompted.
Claude Code will ask you to connect your account. Choose one option:
Option A: Paid Anthropic Account (Recommended)
Option B: API Key
You now have three windows:
Create a rules file to tell Claude how to behave:
# Standard Workflow
1. First think through the problem, read the codebase for relevant files, and write a plan to projectplan.md
2. The plan should have a list of todo items that you can check off as you complete them
3. Before you begin working, check in with me and I will verify the plan
4. Then, begin working on the todo items, marking them as complete as you go
5. Please every step of the way just give me a high level explanation of what changes you made
6. Make every task and code change you do as simple as possible. We want to avoid making any massive or complex changes. Every change should impact as little code as possible. Everything is about simplicity
7. Finally, add a review section to the projectplan.md file with a summary of the changes you made and any other relevant information
In your terminal, switch to Plan Mode by pressing Shift + Tab. You should see "Plan Mode: ON".
Now describe your app. For example:
I want to build a recipe finder app where users can search for recipes by ingredients they have at home, save their favorites, and rate dishes they've tried. Can you create a detailed step-by-step plan for an MVP?
Claude Code will:
Claude Code creates a file called projectplan.md with checkboxes for each step. Review this plan and tell Claude to proceed if it looks good.
If you want changes, just ask:
Can you add a grocery list feature that exports missing ingredients?
Once you approve the plan, Claude Code switches to building mode. It will:
Say "yes" when it asks for permission, or type "yes and don't ask again" to speed things up.
When Claude Code finishes a phase, ask to test it:
Let's test this to see if it works
Claude Code will start a local server and give you a web address (like http://localhost:3000) where you can see your app.
If Claude Code gets stuck:
If you want to continue later:
projectplan.md file open to track progress.By following this guide, you've:
Your app runs locally on your computer. To make it live on the internet, you'll need to deploy it using services like Netlify or Vercel—but that's a topic for another guide.
Now that you have Claude Code working, try building:
Remember: you don't need to know how to code. Just describe what you want in plain English, and Claude Code will build it for you.
Maria Garcia
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