cryptoflexllc.com
Getting Started with
Claude Code
Skip the 7-day deep dive. Here's everything you need to install, authenticate, and start building — in plain English.
Step 1 — Install & Authenticate
# Requires Node.js 18+
$ npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
# Navigate to your project
$ cd my-project
$ claude
✓ Authenticated. Claude Code ready.
What Claude Code Actually Does
Reads your files to understand project context
Plans changes and tells you before executing
Writes code directly to your files — no copy-paste
Runs commands: installs, builds, git operations
Why I Left Local Models
Ollama + Qwen vs. Cloud
✕ Local (Ollama)
- 30-second response times
- Hallucinated imports
- Not production-ready
→ Claude Code
- Fast, accurate responses
- Full project context
- Pay only what you use
Local models are valid for privacy-sensitive work or if you have serious GPU hardware. For day-to-day dev on a normal workstation? Cloud wins.
Keys to Good Results
Lessons Learned
Be specific. "Dark theme, cyan accent, Geist font" beats "make it look good"
Review everything. The learning happens in code review, not generation
Iterate fast. "Add hamburger menu" to done in seconds, not an hour
Use the platform. Hooks, rules, and MCP servers — don't fight the tooling
Your Starter Roadmap
1
Install &
authenticate
authenticate
2
Start with a
small project
small project
3
Describe in
detail, watch
detail, watch
4
Review, ask
questions, iterate
questions, iterate
5
Explore rules,
hooks & MCP
hooks & MCP