- 1What Claude Code isClaude working on your computer: it reads files, writes files and runs commands.
- 2ContextEverything Claude can see right now, its working memory for this session.
- 3Effort and modelsWhich Claude does the work, and how long it thinks before it acts.
- 4Where you start Claude, and what it loadsThe folder you start in decides which instructions load.
- 5.md files and CLAUDE.mdPlain text with a few marks: a document for people, instructions for Claude.
- 6PermissionsWhat Claude may do without asking you first.
- 7ConnectorsHow Claude reaches another app with your own account.
instibrain / guides / claude basics
Claude Code, in seven short lessons.
Claude Code is the AI that works on your computer. These lessons say what it is, what it can see, and what it may do. Each takes a few minutes.
Read this tutorial first. Have Claude open beside this page and try each step.
the lessons
Seven lessons, a few minutes each.
Your browser marks the ones you finished, so you start where you stopped. Each lesson is the idea in one line, the new words, the lesson, a picture, Try it, and You should see.
what you learned
Keep this beside your keyboard.
The keys and commands from the seven lessons, on one card.
| Type or press | What it does |
|---|---|
| Esc | Stops Claude. The work done so far stays. |
| Esc twice | On an empty prompt, opens the menu that goes back to an earlier point. |
| Shift + Tab | Moves to the next permission mode. |
| /context | Shows what fills Claude's working memory. |
| /compact | Summarizes the conversation now. |
| /clear | Starts an empty conversation. |
| /model | Shows the models and lets you switch. |
| /effort | Shows or sets how long Claude thinks. |
| /mcp | Shows your connectors and signs you in. |