What Is Claude Code? How to Use It (Beginner Guide 2026)
Claude Code is Anthropic’s AI coding agent. Instead of only suggesting lines of code, it reads your whole project, edits files, runs commands and tests, and explains what it did — all from plain-English instructions. You can use it in the terminal, inside VS Code or JetBrains, in the Claude desktop app or on the web. To start, install it, open a project folder, type claude, and describe what you want built or fixed. You need a paid Claude plan (Pro or Max) or an Anthropic API account.
📑 Table of contents
What is Claude Code?
Claude Code is an agentic coding tool made by Anthropic, the company behind the Claude AI models. “Agentic” means it doesn’t just answer questions — it takes actions. Give it a task like “add a contact form to my website” and it will find the right files, write the code, run the project, notice errors and fix them.
Think of it as a junior developer sitting next to you who types very fast. You stay in charge: it asks permission before editing files or running commands (unless you allow it), and you review everything it changes.
Where you can use Claude Code
Claude Code is available in several places, so you can pick what feels comfortable:
| Where | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal (CLI) | Developers & power users | The original and most flexible way |
| VS Code / Cursor extension | Beginners who like an editor | See changes as visual diffs |
| JetBrains IDEs | Java, Python, Android devs | Works inside IntelliJ, PyCharm etc. |
| Claude desktop app | Non-technical users | Friendly interface, no terminal needed |
| Web (claude.ai/code) | Working from any computer | Runs on GitHub repositories in the cloud |
How to install Claude Code
Before you start, make sure you have a Claude Pro or Max subscription (or an Anthropic API account) and a computer running Windows, macOS or Linux.
- Install it. The quickest way is the official installer from Anthropic’s docs. Developers can also use npm:
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code(this needs Node.js 18 or newer). - Open your project folder in a terminal — for a new project, just create an empty folder.
- Type
claudeand press Enter. - Log in with your Claude account when the browser opens.
- Start chatting. Type what you want in plain English.
Prefer no terminal at all? Install the Claude desktop app, open the Code tab, pick a folder, and you get the same agent with a friendlier screen.
How to use Claude Code (step by step)
- Explain the goal, not just the task. “Build a one-page website for my bakery in Okara with a menu, prices in PKR and a WhatsApp order button” beats “make a website”.
- Ask for a plan first. Say “plan this before coding” (or switch to Plan Mode). Read the plan and correct it before any code is written.
- Let it build in small steps. One section or feature at a time is easier to review than everything at once.
- Run and check. Ask Claude to start the project and open it in your browser. Look at it on mobile size too.
- Give specific feedback. “The menu cards are too wide on mobile, make them one column” works far better than “fix the design”.
- Save your progress with Git. Ask Claude to commit after each working step so you can undo mistakes easily.
The people who get the best results from Claude Code are not the best typists — they are the clearest thinkers. Clear instructions in, good code out.
Claude Code commands worth knowing
| Command / key | What it does |
|---|---|
| /init | Scans your project and creates a CLAUDE.md file with notes Claude remembers |
| /help | Shows all available commands |
| /clear | Starts a fresh conversation (keeps your files) |
| /compact | Summarises a long chat so Claude stays fast |
| /model | Switches between Claude models |
| Shift + Tab | Cycles permission modes, including Plan Mode |
| Esc | Stops Claude mid-task so you can redirect it |
Tip: the CLAUDE.md file is powerful. Write your rules there — “use Urdu and English”, “brand colour is #00afee”, “always make it mobile-friendly” — and Claude follows them every session.
Prompts that work well
- “Explain this project to me like I’m a beginner. What does each folder do?”
- “Find why the contact form isn’t sending and fix it. Tell me what was wrong.”
- “Add a dark mode toggle. Plan first, then build it.”
- “Make this page load faster and score better on Google PageSpeed.”
- “Write tests for the checkout function and run them.”
How much does Claude Code cost?
Claude Code is included with Claude’s paid plans. The Pro plan is the usual starting point for students and freelancers; Max plans give much higher usage for full-time developers. Teams and companies can use Team or Enterprise plans, or pay per use through the Anthropic API. Prices and limits change, so always check the official pricing page before you subscribe. In Pakistan, many students pay with an international-enabled debit card or a digital bank card.
How to earn with Claude Code
- Website delivery: build business websites and landing pages for local shops and international clients in a fraction of the time.
- Bug fixing gigs: fix broken WordPress, React or Laravel sites on Fiverr and Upwork.
- Automations: build scripts that connect Google Sheets, WhatsApp, CRMs and email.
- Your own SaaS or tools: launch small products without hiring a developer.
The opportunity is real, but clients pay for working results. Always test on mobile, check forms, and understand what was built before you hand it over.
Learn Claude Code in Okara
At IDT Okara, our Vibe Coding course teaches you to build real projects with Claude Code, Cursor and Codex — from your first website to deployed apps — with a trainer beside you to review your work.
- Hands-on projects you can add to your portfolio
- Prompting, reviewing and debugging AI-written code
- Deploying live websites and getting freelance clients
Read next: What Is Vibe Coding? and What Is Prompt Engineering?
Frequently asked questions
What is Claude Code in simple words?
Claude Code is an AI assistant made by Anthropic that can write, edit and fix code for you. You tell it what you want in plain English, and it works directly inside your project — reading files, making changes and running commands — while you review and approve its work.
Is Claude Code free?
No. Claude Code needs a paid Claude subscription (Pro or Max) or an Anthropic API account where you pay per use. The Pro plan is the cheapest way for students to start. Check claude.com for current pricing, as plans change.
Do I need to know coding to use Claude Code?
You can build simple websites and tools with zero coding knowledge, but you will get much better results if you understand basics like HTML, files and folders, and how to run a project. Knowing enough to review the AI’s work is the real skill.
Can I use Claude Code on Windows?
Yes. Claude Code runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. On Windows you can install it with the official installer or through npm, and use it in the terminal, VS Code, or the Claude desktop app.
What is the difference between Claude and Claude Code?
Claude is the chat assistant you talk to on claude.ai. Claude Code is a tool built on the same AI models but designed for software work — it can open your project, edit many files at once, run your code and fix errors on its own.
Can I earn money using Claude Code in Pakistan?
Yes. Freelancers use it to deliver websites, landing pages, automations and small apps faster on Fiverr and Upwork. Faster delivery means you can take more orders, but clients still pay for results, so you must test and polish everything the AI builds.
Want to master Claude Code with real projects?
IDT Okara’s Vibe Coding course teaches Claude Code, Cursor and Codex hands-on — you build and launch real websites and apps in class. Small batches, practical training, apply online in 5 minutes.