rafikiAOS
Follow the signal.
Another door. Another story. The same universe.
The Claude Code Starter Kit - Explorer
You just installed it. You're not sure what to do first. Let's walk through it together - no experience needed.
Getting oriented
Claude Code is a conversation you have with an AI assistant - right inside your project folder. You type what you want, and it helps you get it done. That's the whole thing.
You describe what you want in plain language. Claude Code reads the files in your project, understands what you're working on, and helps you make progress. You stay in charge. It does the heavy lifting you ask for.
You don't need to know how to code to use it. You just need to know what you want to accomplish.
Writing and editing files. Answering questions about your project. Running small tasks you'd normally do by hand. Helping you think through what to do next. Remembering your preferences so you don't repeat yourself.
Your first action
The most important thing you can do right now is create a file called CLAUDE.md in your project folder. It's how you tell Claude Code who you are, what you're working on, and how you like to work.
Every time you start a conversation, Claude Code reads CLAUDE.md first. It's like a briefing note. Without it, Claude Code starts fresh every time and has to figure out your project from scratch. With it, you pick up right where you left off.
It doesn't have to be long. Three sections is plenty to start.
# CLAUDE.md ## My Project [Describe what you're working on in plain language. Example: "I'm building a small website for my bakery." Or: "I'm organizing my research notes on climate policy." Just a sentence or two - whatever helps Claude understand your world.] ## Please don't - Don't delete files without asking me first - Don't send messages or emails without my approval - [Add one more thing specific to your project - what matters most to protect?] ## I prefer - [How would you like responses? Short and direct? More detailed explanations?] - [Anything else about how you like to work? It's fine to leave this section thin at first.]
Seriously. A CLAUDE.md file is all you need to start getting real value. Everything else - skills, memory, more advanced features - you can discover as you need it. Start simple. Let the setup grow from real use.
Right now
Once your CLAUDE.md is in place, try any of these. Each one shows you something different about how this works.
Try this first
"What do you see in my project folder? Give me a brief summary."
Claude Code reads your files and tells you what it found. Great first step - you'll see exactly what it knows about your project.
Then try this
"I need to [describe a small task]. Can you help me get started?"
Replace the brackets with something real you want to do. Pick something small. Notice how it responds and asks follow-up questions.
And this one
"What should I add to my CLAUDE.md to help you understand my project better?"
Claude Code will suggest improvements based on what it found. This is how the file gets better over time - through real use.
When something doesn't work the way you expected, just say so. "That's not quite what I meant - let me be more specific." Claude Code doesn't get offended. It adjusts. The conversation is the collaboration.
And when you give Claude Code the same instruction twice - like correcting it the same way - that's usually a sign you should add it to CLAUDE.md. Less repeating yourself over time.
When you're ready to go deeper
You don't need any of this today. But as you use Claude Code more, you'll naturally want to do more. Here's what's waiting for you.
When you're ready for the next step, the Builder's Guide walks you through setting up Skills, Agents, and Memory in a practical way. It's written for people who think in systems and want to build something durable.
You don't need it today. Come back when you've had a few real conversations and you start noticing what you'd want to automate.
You're already doing it.
You have Claude Code running. You have a CLAUDE.md. You tried your first conversation. That's not nothing - that's the whole foundation. Every advanced thing you'll ever do builds from exactly this. Welcome to the beginning.
The people who get the most out of this aren't the ones with the most technical background. They're the ones who show up, try things, and update their CLAUDE.md when they notice friction. That's the whole practice. You're already doing it.
More free resources at rafikiaos.com.
rafikiAOS
Another door. Another story. The same universe.
