197 lines
5.2 KiB
Markdown
197 lines
5.2 KiB
Markdown
---
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slug: how-to-use-claude-code
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title: "How to Use Claude Code: A Practical Tutorial for Your First Real Project"
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author: josh-mercer
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status: inbox
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priority: HIGH
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created: 2026-01-10
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source: seo-research-josh-mara-warmup
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---
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# Idea
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## Discovery
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**Source:** SEO Research for Josh & Mara warmup articles — 2026-01-10
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**Evidence:**
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- "how to use claude code" = 1,900 monthly searches
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- KD: 28 (LOW-MEDIUM — very achievable)
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- Search intent: Informational
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- Target audience: Developers who installed Claude Code but don't know where to start, terminal-hesitant devs, Cursor users trying Claude Code
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## Why This Matters
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Natural follow-up to installation guide:
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- 1,900 searches = solid volume
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- KD 28 = achievable for quality content
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- Practical tutorial = high value
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- Readers who installed need next step
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- Josh can show real workflow
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## Content Angle
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**Title:** "How to Use Claude Code: A Practical Tutorial for Your First Real Project"
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**Josh's Approach:**
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- Beginner-friendly tutorial using Claude Code on actual project (not demo)
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- Show the workflow from start to finish
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- Effective prompting techniques
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- Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
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- Include code examples and real outputs
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- "Here's what I learned" teaching style
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**Structure:**
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1. Opening: "Just installed Claude Code? Here's what to do next..."
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2. Prerequisites (what you should know first)
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3. Your first Claude Code session:
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- Starting a project
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- First command
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- What happened
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4. Understanding the workflow:
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- How to prompt effectively
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- Context awareness
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- Multi-file changes
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5. Real project walkthrough (complete example)
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6. Common mistakes (I made them all):
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- Vague prompts
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- Not checking changes
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- Context misses
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7. Effective prompting patterns:
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- What works
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- What doesn't
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- Examples with outputs
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8. When to use Claude Code vs when not to
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9. Troubleshooting common issues
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10. Next steps and advanced usage
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11. Closing: "You've got the basics. Now go build something..."
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## Why This Works for Josh
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Perfect for his teaching style:
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- Practical tutorial format
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- Shows his actual learning curve
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- "Here's the mistakes I made" honesty
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- Real project (not synthetic demo)
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- Helps readers skip trial-and-error
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- Accessible for beginners
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## Keywords Cluster
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| Keyword | Vol | KD | Priority |
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|---------|-----|----|----------|
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| how to use claude code | 1,900 | 28 | PRIMARY |
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| claude code tutorial | 1,000 | — | Synonym |
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| claude code examples | 590 | — | Include |
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| claude code commands | 480 | — | Reference |
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## Secondary Keywords
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- "claude code beginner guide"
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- "claude code workflow"
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- "claude code prompting"
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- "claude code tips"
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## Key Sections Required
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**Getting Started:**
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- Open Claude Code in your project
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- First command to try
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- What the interface looks like
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- Basic navigation
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**Workflow Basics:**
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- How to describe what you want
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- Reviewing proposed changes
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- Accepting/rejecting edits
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- Multi-file operations
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**Effective Prompting:**
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- Specific vs vague prompts
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- Including context
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- Breaking down complex tasks
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- Examples that work
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**Common Pitfalls:**
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- Not reviewing changes before accepting
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- Prompts too vague
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- Not understanding context limitations
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- Expecting perfection
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**Real Project Example:**
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- Complete walkthrough
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- Start to finish
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- Show Claude Code's outputs
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- How Josh guided it
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- Final result
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## Content Format
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**Josh's Style:**
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- Tutorial format
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- Code examples with Claude Code outputs
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- Screenshots of actual usage
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- "I tried this first, it didn't work..." honesty
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- Step-by-step with commentary
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- Practical tips from experience
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## Differentiation
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Most Claude Code tutorials:
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- Generic overview
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- No real project
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- Documentation rehash
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Josh's angle:
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- "First real project" approach
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- Shows learning curve honestly
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- Real mistakes and fixes
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- Complete workflow example
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- Beginner-friendly but practical
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## Strategic Value
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**Why This Article Matters:**
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- Natural follow-up to "Install Claude Code" (8.1k vol)
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- 1,900 searches = solid standalone volume
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- KD 28 = achievable
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- Establishes Josh as Claude Code expert
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- Can rank for "claude code tutorial" (1,000 vol)
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- Helps readers who installed move to usage
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## Content Chain
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This is part of Claude Code content cluster:
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1. Install Claude Code (8.1k vol, KD 22) ← first
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2. **How to Use Claude Code** (1.9k vol, KD 28) ← this article
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3. Claude Code vs Cursor (4.4k vol) ← comparison
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4. Advanced Claude Code workflows ← future
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## Notes
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- Should publish shortly after "Install Claude Code"
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- Natural progression: install → use → compare → advanced
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- Beginner focus but practical (real project)
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- Josh's learning curve = teaching advantage
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- Show failures alongside successes
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- Code examples essential
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- Can update as Claude Code evolves
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## Real Project Example
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Josh should use:
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- Simple but real application
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- Something readers can follow
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- Show complete workflow
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- Include Claude Code's actual outputs
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- Demonstrate prompting evolution
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- Show how he guided it to completion
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## Publication Priority
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**HIGH PRIORITY** — Natural follow-up to "Install Claude Code." These two articles should be published close together:
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1. Install Claude Code (Priority HIGH)
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2. How to Use Claude Code (Priority HIGH)
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Together they create comprehensive Claude Code onboarding for readers.
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