Overview
This lecture is a comprehensive guide to building projects using Claude Code, covering setup, workflows, and advanced debugging, with a focus on creating a simple AI-powered CRM app.
The Four Pillars of Claude Code Success
- Proper Claude Code setup: use hooks, commands, prompts, and subagents to increase speed and reliability.
- Clear project idea: define your objective precisely before building.
- Technical skill: strong software development and computer science fundamentals improve results.
- Prompting and context engineering: skillfully guide AI tools with effective prompts.
Initial Setup and Project Structuring
- Install Claude Code globally using a terminal command found online.
- Create a main markdown file (e.g.,
project-description.md) to summarize the project, tech stack, and features.
- Use Claude Code to automate setup (e.g., copy an optimized Claude folder with hooks, commands, subagents).
- Choose your tech stack based on project needs; for MVPs, prioritize speed (e.g., Next.js, Tailwind, Supabase, Vercel AI SDK).
- Document the tech stack and codebase structure in the main markdown file for clarity.
Efficient Claude Code Workflow
- Use keyboard shortcuts (e.g.,
cmd+escape to open Claude Code, shift+tab to switch modes).
- Plan mode (Opus model): for careful planning; Auto Accept mode (Sonet model): for fast code edits.
- Set up a custom status line to always show the active model and git branch.
- Use
/clear to reset conversation context; /compact to summarize and condense history.
Building, Debugging, and Automating
- Structure project folders simply (app, components, lib, hooks, types) for MVPs.
- Use hooks for frequent prompt templates (e.g.,
-d, -u, -e for default, ultra-think, explain error).
- Automate repeated actions with commands and document them for team sharing.
- Integrate external tools (e.g., Perplexity for up-to-date documentation, Playwright MCP for frontend debugging).
- Use subagents for specialized tasks like web research or documentation validation.
Debugging & Best Practices
- Always check for outdated dependencies, version mismatches, and follow the latest documentation.
- Insert debug log statements in strategic places to isolate issues.
- Maintain and update internal documentation (e.g., V5 changes, common errors) for future reference.
- Use version control (GitHub) with proper
.gitignore and licensing.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Claude Code — AI-powered code assistant for building software projects.
- Hooks — Automated prompt additions for common tasks (e.g., think hard, answer in short).
- Commands — Custom reusable instructions for frequent tasks.
- Subagents — Specialized AI agents for delegated tasks (e.g., research).
- Plan Mode / Auto Accept Mode — Operation modes for planning or fast coding.
- Context Engineering — Managing and optimizing the information AI uses.
- MVP — Minimum Viable Product; a basic functional prototype.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Set up Claude Code and create your main project markdown file.
- Clearly define your project's purpose and tech stack.
- Automate frequent prompts and workflows using hooks and commands.
- Regularly update Claude Code and check for the latest documentation.
- Document all important decisions, fixes, and research in markdown files.
- Connect your project to a GitHub repository with a proper license and
.gitignore.