Claude Code Tutorial: From Zero to Productive in 30 Minutes

This tutorial takes you from zero to a productive Claude Code setup in under 30 minutes. By the end, you will have Claude Code installed, configured, and working on real tasks in your projects, plus an understanding of how domains extend it into a specialist.

Step 1: Install Claude Code

Open your terminal and run a single command:

**npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code**

This installs Claude Code globally on your machine. It requires Node.js (version 18 or later) and works on macOS 13+, Windows 10+, and most Linux distributions.

Authentication

Claude Code needs access to Claude's models. You have two options:

• **Anthropic API key.** Set your key and Claude Code uses it automatically
• **Claude Pro or Max subscription.** Authenticate through your existing Anthropic account

Step 2: Open a Project

Navigate to any project directory in your terminal and type **claude** to start a session. Claude Code immediately reads your project structure (source files, configuration, dependencies, git history) and builds a context map.

You do not need to describe your project. Claude Code figures it out by reading it.

Step 3: Your First Real Task

Start with something concrete:

**Explain the codebase.** Ask Claude to explain your project architecture. It will read through your files and give you a structured overview.

**Fix a bug.** Point Claude at a bug or error message. It will read the relevant files, trace the issue, propose a fix, and implement it.

**Refactor a module.** Ask Claude to refactor a messy file or function. It reads the code, identifies improvements, and makes the changes.

**Add a feature.** Describe a feature in plain language. Claude will plan the implementation and produce working code.

Step 4: Context Management

**Project instructions.** Create a CLAUDE.md file in your project root with key information. Claude Code reads this file automatically at the start of every session.

**Focused context.** When working on a specific area, tell Claude which files or directories matter.

**Session continuity.** Within a session, Claude remembers everything you have discussed.

Step 5: Git Integration

Claude Code has native git support. It can stage changes, write commit messages, create branches, and manage your workflow. The git integration is especially powerful because Claude understands the semantic meaning of your changes, not just the text diff.

Step 6: Add Domains for Specialized Workflows

At this point, you have a working Claude Code setup that handles general development tasks. The next step is making it a domain specialist.

Leopoldo (leopoldo.ai) provides managed domains that add deep expertise to Claude Code. Each domain is a complete kit (agents, orchestrators, and hooks) purpose-built for a specific professional vertical.

How Domain Installation Works

1. Download a free domain from GitHub or request access at hello@leopoldo.ai 2. Download the domain archive 3. Extract it to your project root 4. Claude Code auto-discovers the domain contents

Choosing Your First Domain

• **Finance professionals.** Investment Core (on request)
• **Software engineers.** Full Stack (free, open source)
• **Consultants.** Senior Consultant (on request)
• **Strategy teams.** Competitive Intelligence (on request)
• **Marketing.** Marketing (on request)

Explore all domains at leopoldo.ai/domains. Full Stack is free on GitHub. Specialized domains available on request at hello@leopoldo.ai.