# **UPDATED 2026** Claude Code Tutorial #1 - Intro & Setup

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**UPDATED 2026** Claude Code Tutorial #1 - Intro & Setup

These notes are based on the YouTube video by Income stream surfers

Getting Started with Claude Code

To begin with, Claude Code is a powerful AI coding assistant that can be cost-effective for building simple websites, with a monthly cost of $20 for the Pro plan or $17/month annually via a $200/year subscription. The key features that set Claude Code apart are its ability to deal with context and its development by Anthropic, a leading AI company. For more information on the latest developments in Claude Code, check out Claude Code’s New Native Skills Just Changed Everything, which provides key insights and notes from the YouTube video on the same topic.

Installation Requirements

To install Claude Code, the following requirements must be met:

• Node.js must be installed if necessary for your environment
• Access to Claude Code is via a subscription and terminal; verify official documentation for the most up-to-date installation instructions

Pricing Plans

Claude Code offers several pricing plans, including:

• Free plan: limited access to Claude Code features
• Pro plan: $20/month or $17/month annually ($200/year), suitable for most simple website builds
• Max plan: offers tiers, including $100 (Expanded, 5x Pro) and $200 (Ultimate, 20x Pro) for complex tasks and large-scale data scraping

🔗 See Also: Claude Code best practices for tips on getting the most out of your Claude Code subscription.

Setting Up Claude Code

To set up Claude Code, follow these steps:

1. Ensure you have access to Claude Code via a subscription
2. Open a terminal to start using Claude Code; the exact commands may vary, so refer to the official documentation for the most current information
3. Complete any setup or tutorial provided to familiarize yourself with Claude Code’s capabilities
4. Verify that Claude Code is working correctly by following the instructions provided in the official documentation or tutorial

Understanding Claude Code Basics

• Claude Code works on a principle where the open folder can be considered the working folder, similar to other terminal-based tools
• To start a new project, you can open a new folder and create a new file, leveraging the terminal-native interface of Claude Code
• Claude Code can be used in the terminal, and while there might be integrations or extensions available for tools like Visual Studio Code (VS Code), its primary interaction is through the command line. For a more in-depth guide on building projects with Claude Code, refer to The EASIEST way to build projects with Claude Code.

Sub-Agents

Sub-agents are a concept that can be utilized within Claude Code by leveraging its context retention and task delegation capabilities. This can be achieved through specific prompts or workflows that allow for:

• Context retention: by using certain commands or prompts, you can retain context and work on specific tasks
• Task delegation: you can delegate small tasks, freeing up the main conversation
• Example usage:

When doing a task, you can use prompts to retain context and delegate tasks, similar to orchestrating tasks.

To use such workflows, you would need to understand how to effectively prompt Claude Code for your specific needs.

Plan Mode

Plan mode is not a distinct feature but rather a workflow that can be achieved within Claude Code. By using specific prompts, you can generate plans and create .md files for project planning.

• Project planning: you can use Claude Code to generate plans by using the appropriate prompts
• Plan editing: users can edit the plans and add new tasks as needed
• Example usage:

Please plan the website first

This will generate a plan and create a .md file, based on the capabilities of Claude Code to understand and respond to prompts.

Compact Mode

Compact mode, similar to plan mode, is not a hardcoded feature but rather a concept that can be applied when working with Claude Code. It involves transferring plans and retaining memory and context.

• Transferring plans: you can use prompts to transfer plans to the next version of your project
• Retaining memory and context: Claude Code’s ability to retain context can be leveraged to keep track of your project’s progress
• Example usage: slash compact or similar prompts can be used to achieve compacting workflows.

Key Concepts

The three most important things to learn about Claude Code are:

• Context handling: Claude Code’s ability to deal with context is crucial for effective project management
• Workflows and prompts: understanding how to use prompts and workflows to achieve tasks like project planning and context retention
• Subscription and access: Claude Code is a subscription-based service, and understanding how to access and utilize its features is essential

Summary

In summary, Claude Code is a powerful AI coding assistant that can be used for building simple websites and more complex projects. The key features of Claude Code include its ability to deal with context and its development by Anthropic. To get started with Claude Code, users must understand the subscription model, complete any setup or tutorial provided, and learn how to effectively use prompts and workflows to achieve their project goals. By mastering these concepts, users can unlock the full potential of Claude Code and build complex projects with ease.