Claude Code Guide

You already use Claude. This is the version that lives on your computer — it can read your files, edit them, and build things for you. It’s Claude, but with hands.

If you can plan a lesson or manage a real estate transaction, you can do this. This guide covers the parts you haven’t done yet — opening iTerm2, navigating to your projects, and giving Claude Code the right context to do great work.

Terminal Basics

The terminal is like texting your computer. You type a short command, press Enter, and it does the thing. That’s it. You’ll use iTerm2 — it’s already on your Mac.

1

Open iTerm2

Press Cmd + Space to open Spotlight, type iTerm, and press Enter. A window with a blinking cursor will appear. That’s it — you’re in.

Jason already installed iTerm2 on your Mac. It’s a nicer version of the built-in Terminal — same thing, just prettier.

2

pwd — “Where am I?”

This is like checking what room you’re in. When you type pwd and press Enter, the terminal tells you your current location.

pwd

You’ll see something like: /Users/erin — that’s your home folder.

3

ls — “What’s in here?”

This is like looking around the room. It shows you all the files and folders in your current location.

ls

You’ll see folder names like Desktop, Documents, dev, etc.

4

cd — “Go to this room”

cd stands for “change directory.” It’s how you walk through doors into different folders.

cd Desktop

Now you’re inside your Desktop folder. Type ls to see what’s there.

To go back one folder (like stepping out of a room):

cd ..

To go directly to one of your projects from anywhere:

cd ~/dev/projects/lee-wealth-mgmt

The ~ means “my home folder” — so this works no matter where you are.

5

open . — “Show me this folder in Finder”

If you want to see the folder you’re in as a normal Finder window (with icons and everything), type:

open .

The . means “right here.” This is great for double-checking what files are in a folder.

✓

Practice Exercise (2 minutes)

Try this right now to build the muscle memory:

pwd
ls
cd Desktop
ls
cd ..
pwd

That’s it. You just navigated your computer from the terminal. Nothing you type here can break your computer. The worst that happens is you get an error message — just try again.

Scary-looking output? Sometimes when you run a command, you’ll see a wall of text, warnings, or technical-looking messages. This is normal. If there’s a real problem, you’ll see the word “error” in red. Everything else is just the computer talking to itself — you can ignore it.

Your First Claude Code Session

You already know how to talk to Claude. This is just about doing it from the terminal so Claude can actually touch your files.

1

Open iTerm2

Cmd + Space → type iTerm → press Enter.

2

Navigate to your project

cd ~/dev/projects/lee-wealth-mgmt

This takes you to the Lee Wealth Management project. You can swap in family-meeting for the other project.

3

Start Claude Code

claude

That’s the whole command. Claude Code starts up and reads the project’s CLAUDE.md file automatically — that’s how it knows what the project is about and how to help.

4

Talk to it like you talk to Claude

You already know this part. Just type what you want:

Hi! What files are in this folder?
Can you summarize the main findings from the last report you generated?
What does the CLAUDE.md say about this project?
5

When you’re done

Type /exit to leave Claude Code, or press Ctrl + C if it seems stuck.

Want to see what Claude changed? Type open . to open the project folder in Finder and look at the files. Or just ask Claude — “What files did you create or change?”

What a Real Session Looks Like

Here’s an example of how a 10-minute session might go in the wealth management project. You don’t need to memorize this — it’s just so you can see the flow.

You open iTerm2 and navigate:

cd ~/dev/projects/lee-wealth-mgmt
claude

Claude Code starts up. You start talking:

I just put Dad's 2024 tax return in the wealth-mgmt-context folder. Can you read it and give me a summary of the key numbers?

Claude reads the PDF, pulls out the important figures, and gives you a summary. Then you keep going:

Are there any properties where the assessed value changed significantly from last year?

Claude digs into the numbers and flags anything unusual. You want to save this:

Can you write up what you just found as a report and save it in the output folder?

Claude creates a file in output/. You can open it in Finder later. When you’re done:

/exit

That’s a full session. Navigate, start Claude, have a conversation, save the work, exit. The big difference from regular Claude is that the files and reports actually live on your computer when you’re done.

Useful Things to Say in Any Session

These work in any project. Think of them as your starter phrases — you’ll develop your own style over time.

Getting oriented:

What files are in this project and what do they do?
Give me a quick summary of where we left off last time.
What's in the output folder? Summarize the most recent report.

Asking Claude to do work:

Read all the documents in wealth-mgmt-context and list the key findings.
Create a comparison table of property tax amounts across all the properties.
Write up everything you just told me as a clean report and save it to the output folder.

Steering and refining:

That's good but can you make it simpler? I need to explain this to someone who isn't a financial person.
Can you add a section about what we should do next?
Actually, go back and focus on just the Waco properties.

Checking up on things:

I don't understand what you just did. Can you explain it in plain language?
That doesn't look right. Can you undo the last change?
What files did you change? I want to check them before we move on.

Getting more out of Claude Code:

Can you turn that into a bullet-point summary I can paste into an email?
Make a to-do list of action items from everything we discussed today.
Search the web for the latest Texas homestead exemption rules, then check if any of Dad's properties qualify.

Your Projects

These are the two projects Jason set up for you. Each one has a CLAUDE.md file that tells Claude Code exactly what the project is and how to work on it.

Lee Wealth Management

Financial audit of Dad’s Texas real estate portfolio. Claude Code can analyze tax returns, spot discrepancies, and generate reports.

~/dev/projects/lee-wealth-mgmt
  • wealth-mgmt-context/ — source PDFs (tax returns, emails, documents from Dad)
  • output/ — reports and analysis Claude generates
  • specs/ — the project plan and feature specs

When Dad sends a new document: Download the PDF and move it into the wealth-mgmt-context/ folder. That’s how Claude Code can see it. Think of that folder as Claude’s desk — if the paper isn’t on the desk, Claude can’t read it.

Things you’d say in this project:

Read the 2024 tax return I just added and summarize the key numbers — total income, total deductions, and taxes owed.
Compare the property tax amounts across all the properties. Are any of them delinquent?
Create a timeline showing when each property tax payment is due this year.
Dad says the Waco property assessment went up. Can you find the old and new numbers and figure out what changed?
Write a summary I can email to Dad explaining the three biggest issues you found. Keep it simple — no jargon.

Family Meeting (Mombot)

The WhatsApp family assistant. Has 12+ features already built — from reminders to family coordination tools.

~/dev/projects/family-meeting
  • specs/ — full history of every feature planned and built
  • src/ — the actual bot code (Claude handles this part)
  • Uses spec-kit for planning new features (see below)

When to work here: When you want to add a new feature, tweak a message, or change how the bot behaves. For bigger features, use spec-kit (below) to plan it out first.

Things you’d say in this project:

What features does mombot currently have? Give me a quick list.
Can you look at the specs folder and tell me what we've built so far?
The weekly reminder message sounds too robotic. Can you make it warmer and more fun?
I want to add a feature where mombot asks everyone what they want for dinner on Sunday. Let's plan it out.
Can you change the morning check-in to go out at 8am instead of 7am?

Everyday Uses

Claude Code isn’t just for Jason’s projects. You can use it anywhere on your computer for anything you’d normally ask Claude — but now it can read your files, write documents, and do research all in one flow.

You can start Claude Code from any folder. Just cd to wherever your files are (or make a new folder), type claude, and start talking.

How to Start a Quick Session

You don’t need a project set up. Here’s the pattern for using Claude Code for anything:

mkdir ~/real-estate-notes

mkdir means “make a new folder.” This creates a folder called real-estate-notes in your home directory. You only need to do this once — the folder sticks around.

cd ~/real-estate-notes
claude

That’s it. Now Claude Code can read and create files in that folder. Whatever it writes — emails, lists, reports — will be saved right there. You can open the folder in Finder anytime with open .

Next time you want to come back, you skip the mkdir step and just cd straight there.

Real Estate

You have your license — Claude Code can be your research assistant, copywriter, and analyst rolled into one.

I'm putting together a listing for a 3-bed/2-bath in South Reno. Can you write a compelling listing description? Here are the details: [paste details]
Search the web for comparable recent sales in the 89511 zip code for homes between 1800-2200 sq ft. Summarize what you find.
I have a client asking about the difference between a traditional sale and a short sale. Write me a simple explanation I can text them.
Read the purchase agreement I saved in this folder and flag anything I should pay attention to or ask the other agent about.
Help me write a follow-up email to a client I showed houses to last weekend. Friendly but professional — I want to check in without being pushy.
What are the current Nevada disclosure requirements for residential sales? Search the web for the latest rules.

BSF (Bible Study Fellowship)

Prep for your group, organize your notes, or go deeper on a passage without spending hours on it.

We're studying Romans 8 this week. Can you give me a summary of the main themes and a few discussion questions I could bring to my group?
I took notes during our BSF lecture — they're in this file. Can you organize them into clean sections with the key takeaways highlighted?
What's the historical context for Paul's letter to the Romans? Keep it accessible — not seminary-level, just enough to understand the background.
I'm leading discussion this week on the parable of the talents. Help me come up with 5 open-ended questions that would get people talking — not just yes/no answers.
Compare how Romans 8:28 is translated in NIV, ESV, and NLT. Which translation captures the meaning best for a group discussion?

Mom Life & Household

The unglamorous stuff that eats all your time — Claude Code can knock it out in minutes.

Help me plan meals for next week. We need 5 dinners that are kid-friendly, take under 30 minutes, and use chicken or ground beef. Make me a grocery list too.
Write a polite but firm email to the school about the schedule change they announced. I want to express concern without being that parent.
I need to plan a birthday party for a 7-year-old. Budget is $300, it's in March, and we want to do it at home. Give me a full plan with activities, food, and a timeline.
Create a packing list for a family trip to San Diego — 4 days, 2 adults, 2 kids. Don't forget the stuff I always forget.
I'm coordinating snack sign-ups for soccer. Make me a sign-up sheet with 8 game dates that I can copy into a Google Doc.

Social Life & Events

Planning get-togethers, group trips, or just keeping your people organized.

I'm hosting a girls' night dinner for 8 people. Help me plan a menu that looks impressive but is actually easy. Include a wine pairing suggestion for each course.
Write a group text for my friends about our Lake Tahoe trip in July. I need to confirm dates, split costs, and figure out who's driving. Keep it casual.
I want to organize a neighborhood block party. What do I need to think about? Give me a checklist — permits, food, activities, setup, everything.
Help me write a thank-you note to the couple who hosted us for dinner last weekend. Personal and warm, not generic.
We're doing a book club and just finished "The Women" by Kristin Hannah. Write up 6 discussion questions that go beyond surface-level plot summary.

Personal Productivity

Anything where you’d normally open Claude on your phone — but now it can work with your actual files.

I have a notes file from my meeting with the financial advisor. Clean it up, organize the action items, and highlight anything that needs a decision by end of month.
Help me draft a bio for my real estate website. Here's what I want to hit: former teacher, mom, new to real estate, community-focused. Professional but approachable.
I've been saving receipts in this folder. Can you go through them and add up what I spent on home office supplies? I need it for taxes.
Write a pros and cons list for the two preschools we're considering. Here are my notes on each one.
I need to cancel our gym membership. Draft an email that's polite but doesn't leave room for them to talk me out of it.

The key difference from regular Claude: When you use Claude Code, everything it creates — documents, lists, emails, plans — gets saved as actual files on your computer. You can open them, edit them, email them, or print them. It’s not stuck in a chat window.

Setting Claude Up for Success

It’s like giving a substitute teacher the lesson plan vs. dropping them in a classroom with no context. The more Claude knows, the better it works.

CLAUDE.md — The Lesson Plan

Every project folder can have a file called CLAUDE.md. When you start Claude Code in that folder, it reads this file automatically. It’s like handing a substitute teacher a binder with everything they need to know.

Both lee-wealth-mgmt and family-meeting already have these set up. You don’t need to write them — just know they exist and that they’re why Claude Code “gets it” when you start working in a project.

# Lee Wealth Management ## What This Project Is Financial audit of the Lee family Texas real estate portfolio. Analyze tax returns, property records, and emails to identify discrepancies and generate reports. ## Key Rules - All source documents live in wealth-mgmt-context/ - Generated reports go in output/ - Always cite which document a finding came from

Getting the Right Files in Place

Claude Code can only see files in the current folder and its subfolders. It can’t reach out to your Downloads folder, your email, or anywhere else on your computer unless you put the files where it can find them.

Think of the project folder as Claude’s desk. If the paper isn’t on the desk, Claude can’t read it. So when Dad sends a new PDF:

  1. Download it from email
  2. Open Finder and navigate to your project’s wealth-mgmt-context/ folder
  3. Drag the file in
  4. Now Claude Code can see it next time you start a session

Telling Claude to Research First

Before big decisions or unfamiliar topics, tell Claude to do its homework first. This makes the analysis much better — the same way you’d review the comps before pricing a listing.

Before we analyze the delinquent properties, can you search the web for current Texas property tax rates and penalties?
Research what a 1031 exchange is and how it works, then look at the discrepancy report with that context.
Look up the current FHA loan requirements before we review the financing options.

This is especially useful for financial and legal topics where the rules change. Claude is smart, but it doesn’t always have the latest information — telling it to search the web first fixes that.

Spec-Kit — Planning Projects Like a Pro

Spec-kit is like writing a lesson plan before teaching. You wouldn’t walk into a classroom without knowing what you’re covering. Same idea — but for building software.

When you want to build something bigger than a quick question — like adding a new feature to mombot or starting a new analysis — use these commands in order. Each one builds on the last, just like: objective → lesson plan → activities → teach.

/speckit.specify "..."

“Here’s what I want.”

Write down what you want to build in plain language. Claude reads it and creates a structured spec — filling in details you might not have thought of.

/speckit.specify "Add a weekly meal planning feature to mombot that asks the family what they want for dinner each week"

Like writing the lesson objective: “Students will be able to identify the three branches of government.”

/speckit.clarify

“Let me make sure I’m being clear.”

Claude asks up to 3 questions to fill in gaps. Things like: “Should it ask each family member individually or in the group chat?” Answer them and Claude updates the spec.

Like a colleague asking: “What grade level? How long is the class? Do they need materials?”

/speckit.plan

“Design the approach.”

Claude creates a detailed plan — what tools to use, what order to build things, what the end result looks like.

Pro tip: Before running this, tell Claude: “Before you plan, research [relevant topic] online so your plan is based on current information.” This makes the plan much better.

Like a full lesson plan with materials list, time blocks, and assessment strategy.

/speckit.tasks

“Break it into steps.”

Takes the plan and turns it into an ordered checklist. Each task is small and clear — Claude will work through them one at a time.

Like breaking a lesson into: warm-up → instruction → activity → assessment.

/speckit.implement

“Do the work.”

Claude works through the task list, checking in with you at each phase. You review and approve before it continues. You’re the teacher supervising — Claude is the student doing the assignment.

Like saying “Go!” — then walking around the room while students work, checking in at each table.

When to use spec-kit

  • ✓ Adding a new feature to family-meeting (mombot)
  • ✓ Starting a new analysis in lee-wealth-mgmt
  • ✓ Any project bigger than a quick question

When NOT to use it

  • × Quick one-off questions (“What’s in this file?”)
  • × Small changes (“Rename this column”)
  • × Just exploring (“What can you do with this data?”)

Quick Reference Cheat Sheet

Everything in one place. Bookmark this page and come back here when you forget a command.

Terminal Commands

Command What It Does Example
pwd Where am I? pwd → /Users/erin
ls What’s in here? Shows list of files and folders
cd [folder] Go to a folder cd ~/dev/projects/lee-wealth-mgmt
cd .. Go back one folder cd ..
open . Open current folder in Finder open .
mkdir [name] Create a new folder mkdir ~/real-estate-notes
clear Clear the screen (fresh start) clear
pwd
Where am I?
pwd → /Users/erin
ls
What’s in here?
Shows list of files and folders
cd [folder]
Go to a folder
cd ~/dev/projects/lee-wealth-mgmt
cd ..
Go back one folder
open .
Open current folder in Finder
mkdir [name]
Create a new folder
mkdir ~/real-estate-notes
clear
Clear the screen (fresh start)

Claude Code Commands

Command What It Does
claude Start Claude Code
/exit Leave Claude Code
/help See all available commands
Ctrl + C Stop Claude if it’s stuck
/speckit.specify "..." Start planning a new feature
/speckit.clarify Clarify requirements
/speckit.plan Create detailed plan
/speckit.tasks Break plan into steps
/speckit.implement Execute the plan
claude
Start Claude Code
/exit
Leave Claude Code
/help
See all available commands
Ctrl + C
Stop Claude if it’s stuck
/speckit.specify "..."
Start planning a new feature
/speckit.clarify
Clarify requirements
/speckit.plan
Create detailed plan
/speckit.tasks
Break plan into steps
/speckit.implement
Execute the plan

Your Project Paths

Project Command to Get There
Lee Wealth Mgmt cd ~/dev/projects/lee-wealth-mgmt
Family Meeting cd ~/dev/projects/family-meeting
cd ~/dev/projects/lee-wealth-mgmt
Lee Wealth Mgmt
cd ~/dev/projects/family-meeting
Family Meeting

Stuck? That’s normal.

Ask Jason, or just ask Claude Code: “I’m confused about [thing]. Can you help me understand?”

Claude Code is patient. It won’t judge you. Ask it anything.