beginner10 min read· Module 4, Lesson 1
🖥️Introduction to Claude Code
What it is, what it does, and why it changes everything
What is Claude Code?
Claude Code is an AI-powered coding assistant that lives in your terminal. Instead of copying code back and forth from a chat window, Claude Code can:
- Read your entire codebase — it understands your project structure
- Edit files directly — it writes code right into your files
- Run commands — it executes terminal commands for you
- Use Git — it creates commits, branches, and pull requests
- Debug issues — paste an error, and it traces through your code to fix it
Think of it This Way
| Traditional AI Chat | Claude Code |
|---|---|
| You copy code to chat | Claude reads your files directly |
| You copy answers back | Claude edits your files directly |
| You run commands yourself | Claude runs commands for you |
| Context is lost between sessions | Claude remembers your project |
| One file at a time | Works across your entire codebase |
Where Can You Use Claude Code?
Claude Code is available on multiple platforms:
| Platform | Description |
|---|---|
| Terminal | Full CLI in your command line |
| VS Code | Extension with inline diffs |
| JetBrains | Plugin for IntelliJ, PyCharm, etc. |
| Desktop App | Standalone app for Mac/Windows |
| Web | Browser-based, no local setup |
What You'll Learn
In this module, we'll cover:
- Installing Claude Code on your system
- Basic commands — talking to Claude from terminal
- File editing — letting Claude modify your code
- Git integration — commits, branches, and PRs
- CLAUDE.md — teaching Claude about your project
- Custom commands — creating reusable workflows
- MCP integration — connecting external tools
- Advanced tips — piping, scripting, and automation
Next up: Let's install Claude Code on your machine.