Getting Started with Claude — Claude Foundations

You've been using AI wrong

Here's a pattern we see constantly: someone opens Claude, types "write me an email," gets an okay result, and thinks "AI is just a toy." They never discover Projects, never use Artifacts, never learn that Claude can maintain context across a complex multi-step workflow. It's like buying a Swiss Army knife and only using the toothpick.

This module turns you from a tourist into a resident. By the end, you'll have Claude set up as a genuine work tool — not a novelty.

🔑The 10x gap

The gap between a casual Claude user and a power user isn't talent — it's knowing which features exist. Most people never click past the chat box. The features in this module alone will save you hours every week.

Setting up your account

Head to claude.ai and create your account. Here's what each tier gives you:

Free tier — Access to Claude Sonnet, limited messages per day. Perfect for trying Claude out.

Claude Pro ($20/month) — More messages, access to Claude Opus, priority access during peak times, and Projects.

Claude Team ($25/user/month) — Everything in Pro plus shared workspace, admin controls, and higher limits.

Claude Enterprise — Custom pricing. SSO, audit logs, expanded context, and dedicated support.

💡Start free, upgrade when you hit limits

The free tier is genuinely useful. Upgrade to Pro when you find yourself hitting message limits daily or when you need Opus for complex analysis tasks.

The claude.ai interface

Let's walk through the key parts of the interface:

Sidebar — Your conversation history. Conversations are auto-titled based on content. Pin important ones so they don't get buried.

Chat area — Where the conversation happens. Claude's responses appear here with formatting, code blocks, and interactive elements.

Input box — More than just a text field. You can:

Attach files (PDFs, images, code files, spreadsheets)
Paste text directly (Claude handles very long pastes)
Use keyboard shortcuts (Enter to send, Shift+Enter for new line)

Model selector — Switch between Claude models mid-conversation. Start with Sonnet, switch to Opus if you need deeper analysis.

Projects: your persistent workspace

Projects are Claude's killer feature that most people never discover. A Project is a persistent workspace where you can:

Upload reference documents that Claude always has access to
Set custom instructions that apply to every conversation in that project
Keep related conversations organized together

✗ Without AI

✗Re-explain your role every conversation
✗Re-upload documents each time
✗Context resets between chats
✗Generic responses every time

✓ With AI

✓Custom instructions applied automatically
✓Documents always available to Claude
✓Organized by topic or workflow
✓Responses tailored to your context from the start

Setting up your first Project

Step 1: Click "Projects" in the sidebar, then "New Project"

Step 2: Name it something descriptive — "Q1 Marketing Campaign" not "Stuff"

Step 3: Add custom instructions — tell Claude your role, preferences, tone, and any rules. Example: "I'm a product manager at a B2B SaaS company. Keep responses concise. Use bullet points. Always consider technical feasibility."

Step 4: Upload reference docs — brand guidelines, product specs, competitor analysis, anything Claude should always know about

Step 5: Start conversations within the Project — Claude will use your instructions and documents automatically

⚡

Create your first Project

50 XP

Create a Project in Claude for something you're actively working on. Add: 1. A descriptive name 2. At least 3 sentences of custom instructions describing your role and preferences 3. At least one reference document Then start a conversation in the Project and notice how Claude's responses are already tailored to your context.

Artifacts: Claude's creative workspace

When Claude generates code, documents, diagrams, or other structured content, it can create an Artifact — an interactive panel that appears alongside the chat. Artifacts are:

Editable — Click to modify directly
Versioned — Claude updates them in place across conversation turns
Downloadable — Export as files
Interactive — Code artifacts can be previewed live

Artifact type	What it looks like	Best for
Code	Syntax-highlighted editor with copy button	Scripts, functions, components
Document	Rich text with formatting	Reports, memos, proposals
SVG/Diagram	Visual rendering	Flowcharts, architecture diagrams
HTML	Live preview	Mockups, interactive demos
Mermaid	Rendered diagram	Process flows, sequence diagrams

There Are No Dumb Questions

Do Artifacts save automatically?

Artifacts persist within a conversation. If you want to keep them long-term, download them or copy the content. They won't disappear if you close the tab, but starting a new conversation starts fresh.

Can I edit an Artifact and have Claude see my changes?

Yes! Edit the artifact directly and then ask Claude to continue working with the updated version. It sees your edits.

Attaching files: Claude's superpower

Claude can process a wide range of file types:

PDFs — Contracts, reports, research papers. Claude reads every page and can reference specific sections.

Images — Screenshots, diagrams, photos of whiteboards. Claude has vision capabilities and can describe and analyze images.

Code files — Any programming language. Paste code or upload files for review, debugging, or refactoring.

Spreadsheets — CSV files work best. Claude can analyze data, find patterns, and create summaries.

Text files — Markdown, plain text, JSON, XML — Claude handles them all.

⚠️File size and privacy

Be mindful of what you upload. Don't share confidential company data, personal information, or credentials. Check your organization's AI usage policy. Claude Pro conversations are not used for training by default.

Conversation management tips

Power users manage their conversations like they manage their files:

Name conversations clearly. Claude auto-titles, but rename important ones. "Q1 Budget Analysis" beats "New Chat 47."

Use follow-ups, not new chats. Within a conversation, Claude remembers everything. Don't start a new chat when you can continue an existing one.

Start fresh when the topic changes. If you're switching from budget analysis to writing a blog post, start a new conversation. Context pollution makes responses worse.

Pin important conversations. Don't lose your best work in an endless sidebar.

⚡

Organize your Claude workspace

25 XP

If you already have Claude conversations, spend 5 minutes organizing: 1. Rename at least 3 conversations with clear, descriptive titles 2. Pin your 2 most important active conversations 3. Start one new conversation with a clear topic and see how focused the responses are If you're brand new, create 3 conversations on different topics and practice switching between them.

Keyboard shortcuts and productivity tricks

Shortcut	Action
Enter	Send message
Shift + Enter	New line without sending
/	Open command menu
Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + O	New conversation

Pro tricks:

Start messages with "Continue from where you left off" if Claude's response was cut short
Say "Be concise" or "Respond in bullet points" to control output format instantly
Use "Let's think step by step" for complex reasoning tasks
Say "What questions should I be asking?" when you're stuck on a problem

There Are No Dumb Questions

Is there a message limit?

Yes. Free users have a daily message limit that resets. Pro users get significantly more messages, with Opus messages counting more against the limit than Sonnet messages. If you hit the limit, you'll need to wait or switch to a lighter model.

Can I share a conversation with someone?

Yes — you can share conversations via a link. The recipient can view the conversation but not continue it. Great for sharing analysis or getting feedback.

Knowledge Check

1.What is the main benefit of using Claude Projects?

2.What are Artifacts in Claude?

3.When should you start a new conversation instead of continuing an existing one?

4.Which file types can you attach to a Claude conversation?