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CC4E #1: Finally, That Personal Assistant You’ve Always Wanted

Author: Hannah Stulberg | Published: 2026-01-09

A step-by-step setup guide for non-technical users. The “junior employee” metaphor: Claude Code is a trainable assistant who handles tedious work and follows you from work to personal life.

Prerequisites

  • Mac or Windows computer
  • Anthropic account with Claude Pro ($20/mo) or Max ($100/mo) subscription
  • ~30 minutes for one-time setup

Setup Steps

1. Install an IDE

  • An IDE (Integrated Development Environment) combines file browser, text editor, and terminal in one window
  • Do NOT use the standalone Terminal – it’s a “black box” where you can’t see files or changes
  • Recommended: Cursor. Alternatives: VS Code (free), Windsurf (free)

2. Create a Working Folder

  • Claude Code works with local files, not cloud-hosted docs like Google Docs
  • Install a cloud storage desktop app (Dropbox, Google Drive, iCloud, OneDrive) so files sync
  • Create a folder inside it as Claude’s “home base” (e.g., “Claude Agent”)

3. Learn the IDE Layout

Four areas:

  1. File browser (left sidebar) – navigate files and folders
  2. Editor area (center) – view and edit files, supports tabs
  3. Terminal (bottom panel) – where Claude Code runs; supports multiple instances
  4. AI pane (right sidebar) – Cursor’s built-in AI chat, separate from Claude Code

4. Install Claude Code CLI

  • Install the CLI version, NOT IDE extensions from the marketplace. The CLI has more features (status line, better parallel session support)
  • Option A (recommended): Native installer via curl (Mac/Linux) or irm (Windows)
  • Option B: Homebrew (brew install --cask claude-code) – no auto-updates

5. Understand Markdown

  • Claude Code creates .md files. Markdown is plain text with simple formatting symbols
  • Why markdown: Word/Google Docs have hidden formatting codes Claude can’t see. Markdown is transparent – “what you see is exactly what Claude sees”
  • IDE preview mode renders markdown visually (right-click > Open Preview)

6. Understand Bash Commands

  • Essential commands: ls (list files), cat (display contents), mv (move/rename), cd (change directory)
  • Pre-allow safe commands (ls, cd, mv, cp, cat, open) so Claude doesn’t ask permission each time
  • Pre-allow file reading and web fetching for smoother workflow

7. Install Document Skills (optional)

  • Adds support for creating/editing PDF, DOCX, PPTX, XLSX
  • Install via Anthropic skills marketplace, restart Claude Code afterward

Key Takeaways

  • Claude Code is for everyone, not just developers – the name is a misnomer
  • Use an IDE, not the standalone terminal
  • Install the CLI version for full feature access
  • Markdown is the lingua franca between you and Claude
  • Pre-allowing safe operations removes friction