Get Started with Claude Code
Start with a portfolio site. Master prompting patterns you will use to build APIs, dashboards, and production apps.
Difficulty
Beginner
Time to complete
45 minutes
Availability
Free
BUILD
What you'll build
Build a personalized portfolio site using Claude Code in your terminal. Create proof of AI-assisted development skills that employers want to see. Master prompting patterns that work for any software project.
1. Install Claude Code
Install the CLI tool, authenticate with your Claude account, and open your code editor with an integrated terminal.
2. Set Up Project Workspace
Create a dedicated project folder, start Claude Code, grant folder access, and have your first conversation.
3. Configure AI Settings
Create a CLAUDE.md file for project memory, select your model, configure thinking mode, and set permission levels.
4. Build Your Portfolio
Use natural language prompts to build a portfolio with About Me, Projects, and Contact sections.
5. Iterate and Refine
Personalize content, adjust styling, add real project data, and iterate until you are satisfied with the result.
Your portfolio builds as you work.
Every project documents itself as you go. Finish the work, and your proof is ready to share.
PROJECT
Real world application
Skills you'll learn
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CLI Tool Mastery
Navigate and control AI coding agents through terminal commands and slash syntax
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AI-Assisted Coding
Build applications by having conversations with AI in your development environment
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Project Configuration
Set up persistent project memory and configure AI model behavior for your workflow
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Permission Management
Control AI autonomy levels from manual review to auto-accept modes for trusted iteration
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Prompt Engineering
Craft effective natural language instructions to guide AI development output
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Rapid Prototyping
Iterate quickly on designs and features through conversational refinement cycles
Tech stack
-
Claude Code
AI coding agent that runs in your terminal with file editing, command execution, and persistent project memory
Claude Code is the future of programming.
Waleed
Principal Engineer
OUTCOME
Where this leads.
Relevant Jobs
Roles where these skills matter:
- Full Stack Developer
- Frontend Developer
- AI Engineer
- Software Engineer
Build Docker Infrastructure with AI
Control Docker containers through natural language to deploy PostgreSQL databases and multi-service applications.
Build Docker Infrastructure with AI
Continue the JourneyFAQs
Everything you need to know
No coding experience is required for the NextWork Claude Code portfolio project. Claude Code is designed for complete beginners and guides you through every step using natural language conversations. You'll learn HTML and CSS fundamentals while building a functional portfolio site in approximately 45 minutes. The AI agent handles file creation, code generation, and technical configuration automatically.
Claude Code requires a paid subscription: either Claude Pro ($20/month), Claude Max ($100/month), or an Anthropic Console API account (pay-as-you-go, approximately $6/day average usage). NextWork's Claude Code tutorial includes step-by-step payment setup instructions. For this 45-minute portfolio project, expect to spend less than $1 in API credits on a pay-as-you-go plan.
Claude.ai is a web-based chatbot for asking questions and receiving text answers. Claude Code is a terminal-based AI coding agent that reads and writes files in your project folder, executes shell commands, and maintains persistent project memory through CLAUDE.md configuration files. NextWork tutorials use Claude Code because it provides hands-on development experience, file system access, and project-specific context that Claude.ai cannot offer.
CLAUDE.md is a project memory file that Claude Code automatically reads at the start of every terminal session. It stores persistent context about your project including goals, technology stack, coding conventions, and design preferences. NextWork tutorials teach you to create CLAUDE.md files so Claude Code remembers your project specifications even after closing and reopening sessions, eliminating the need to repeat instructions every time.
Claude Code is a general-purpose AI coding agent suitable for building web applications, REST APIs, automation scripts, infrastructure configurations, data pipelines, and full-stack software projects. The NextWork Claude Code portfolio tutorial teaches foundational workflows (project memory, model configuration, natural language prompting) that transfer directly to any development project. After completing the portfolio, you can use the same techniques to build production-ready applications in any programming language or framework.
After mastering Claude Code fundamentals, you can progress to more advanced AI-powered projects. NextWork offers several related learning paths: - Build Docker Infrastructure with AI - Control Docker containers through natural language using Cursor's MCP integration (recommended next step) - Run Ollama On Your Own Machine - Set up local AI models for privacy-first development These projects build on the AI-assisted development skills you learn in this tutorial.
Use the /cost command in Claude Code to check your current session usage and total spend in real-time. Start with the Haiku model (fastest and most affordable) for simple tasks like file editing, use Sonnet for balanced performance on portfolio projects, and reserve Opus for complex architecture decisions. Disable thinking mode unless you need step-by-step reasoning, as it doubles token usage. The NextWork Claude Code tutorial teaches cost-effective prompting strategies to minimize API expenses while building your portfolio.
One Project. Real Skills.
45 minutes from now, you'll have completed Get Started with Claude Code. No prior experience needed. Just step-by-step guidance and a real project for your portfolio.
Beginner-friendly