Before diving into advanced techniques, let's make sure you have Claude Code set up correctly and understand the basic interaction patterns.
Installation
Claude Code can be installed via npm and works in your terminal alongside your existing development environment.
Your First Conversation
The key to effective AI-assisted development is learning how to communicate your intent clearly. Claude Code understands natural language, but being specific about what you want leads to better results.
Be Specific About Context
Instead of asking "fix this bug", try "The login form submits but the user isn't redirected - can you check the auth callback handler?" The more context you provide, the more targeted and useful the response.
Iterate and Refine
Don't expect perfection on the first try. AI-assisted development is a conversation. Review the output, provide feedback, and refine until you get what you need.
Key Principles
- Treat Claude Code as a collaborative partner, not a magic solution
- Always review and understand the code before accepting it
- Use version control so you can experiment freely
- Build your prompts incrementally - start simple and add detail
Key Takeaways
Provide specific context when asking for help
Instead of "fix this bug", describe what's happening and where
AI-assisted development is iterative
Review output, provide feedback, and refine until you get what you need
Always review and understand the code before accepting it
Use version control to experiment freely