---
slug: how-to-use-claude-code
title: "How to Use Claude Code: A Practical Tutorial for Your First Real Project"
author: josh-mercer
status: inbox
priority: HIGH
created: 2026-01-10
source: seo-research-josh-mara-warmup
---

# Idea

## Discovery

**Source:** SEO Research for Josh & Mara warmup articles — 2026-01-10
**Evidence:**
- "how to use claude code" = 1,900 monthly searches
- KD: 28 (LOW-MEDIUM — very achievable)
- Search intent: Informational
- Target audience: Developers who installed Claude Code but don't know where to start, terminal-hesitant devs, Cursor users trying Claude Code

## Why This Matters

Natural follow-up to installation guide:
- 1,900 searches = solid volume
- KD 28 = achievable for quality content
- Practical tutorial = high value
- Readers who installed need next step
- Josh can show real workflow

## Content Angle

**Title:** "How to Use Claude Code: A Practical Tutorial for Your First Real Project"

**Josh's Approach:**
- Beginner-friendly tutorial using Claude Code on actual project (not demo)
- Show the workflow from start to finish
- Effective prompting techniques
- Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
- Include code examples and real outputs
- "Here's what I learned" teaching style

**Structure:**
1. Opening: "Just installed Claude Code? Here's what to do next..."
2. Prerequisites (what you should know first)
3. Your first Claude Code session:
   - Starting a project
   - First command
   - What happened
4. Understanding the workflow:
   - How to prompt effectively
   - Context awareness
   - Multi-file changes
5. Real project walkthrough (complete example)
6. Common mistakes (I made them all):
   - Vague prompts
   - Not checking changes
   - Context misses
7. Effective prompting patterns:
   - What works
   - What doesn't
   - Examples with outputs
8. When to use Claude Code vs when not to
9. Troubleshooting common issues
10. Next steps and advanced usage
11. Closing: "You've got the basics. Now go build something..."

## Why This Works for Josh

Perfect for his teaching style:
- Practical tutorial format
- Shows his actual learning curve
- "Here's the mistakes I made" honesty
- Real project (not synthetic demo)
- Helps readers skip trial-and-error
- Accessible for beginners

## Keywords Cluster

| Keyword | Vol | KD | Priority |
|---------|-----|----|----------|
| how to use claude code | 1,900 | 28 | PRIMARY |
| claude code tutorial | 1,000 | — | Synonym |
| claude code examples | 590 | — | Include |
| claude code commands | 480 | — | Reference |

## Secondary Keywords

- "claude code beginner guide"
- "claude code workflow"
- "claude code prompting"
- "claude code tips"

## Key Sections Required

**Getting Started:**
- Open Claude Code in your project
- First command to try
- What the interface looks like
- Basic navigation

**Workflow Basics:**
- How to describe what you want
- Reviewing proposed changes
- Accepting/rejecting edits
- Multi-file operations

**Effective Prompting:**
- Specific vs vague prompts
- Including context
- Breaking down complex tasks
- Examples that work

**Common Pitfalls:**
- Not reviewing changes before accepting
- Prompts too vague
- Not understanding context limitations
- Expecting perfection

**Real Project Example:**
- Complete walkthrough
- Start to finish
- Show Claude Code's outputs
- How Josh guided it
- Final result

## Content Format

**Josh's Style:**
- Tutorial format
- Code examples with Claude Code outputs
- Screenshots of actual usage
- "I tried this first, it didn't work..." honesty
- Step-by-step with commentary
- Practical tips from experience

## Differentiation

Most Claude Code tutorials:
- Generic overview
- No real project
- Documentation rehash

Josh's angle:
- "First real project" approach
- Shows learning curve honestly
- Real mistakes and fixes
- Complete workflow example
- Beginner-friendly but practical

## Strategic Value

**Why This Article Matters:**
- Natural follow-up to "Install Claude Code" (8.1k vol)
- 1,900 searches = solid standalone volume
- KD 28 = achievable
- Establishes Josh as Claude Code expert
- Can rank for "claude code tutorial" (1,000 vol)
- Helps readers who installed move to usage

## Content Chain

This is part of Claude Code content cluster:

1. Install Claude Code (8.1k vol, KD 22) ← first
2. **How to Use Claude Code** (1.9k vol, KD 28) ← this article
3. Claude Code vs Cursor (4.4k vol) ← comparison
4. Advanced Claude Code workflows ← future

## Notes

- Should publish shortly after "Install Claude Code"
- Natural progression: install → use → compare → advanced
- Beginner focus but practical (real project)
- Josh's learning curve = teaching advantage
- Show failures alongside successes
- Code examples essential
- Can update as Claude Code evolves

## Real Project Example

Josh should use:
- Simple but real application
- Something readers can follow
- Show complete workflow
- Include Claude Code's actual outputs
- Demonstrate prompting evolution
- Show how he guided it to completion

## Publication Priority

**HIGH PRIORITY** — Natural follow-up to "Install Claude Code." These two articles should be published close together:
1. Install Claude Code (Priority HIGH)
2. How to Use Claude Code (Priority HIGH)

Together they create comprehensive Claude Code onboarding for readers.