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How to Get Started with Vibe Coding

Start with Claude Code for a professional vibe coding experience. It combines the speed of outcome-focused development with safety features that help you build real applications that work reliably.

Quick Start (Complete Beginners)​

5-Minute Test - Install Claude Code, launch it, and ask it to create a simple "hello.txt" file. If that works, you're ready for the full workflow.

Learn Plan Mode - Practice using Shift+Tab twice to see what Claude will do before it does it. This safety feature prevents unwanted changes while you learn.

Build Something Tiny - Ask Claude to help create a simple webpage that says "Hello World" to validate your setup works correctly.

Essential Setup Process​

Phase 1: Foundation (Critical for Success)

  • Install Prerequisites: Node.js from nodejs.org and basic terminal familiarity
  • Install Claude Code: Run npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code then verify with claude --version (see Installation Guide for detailed steps)
  • Launch Interactive Session: Run claude to open the chat interface
  • Learn Safety First: Ask Claude to explain Plan Mode and practice activating it with Shift+Tab twice

Phase 2: Project Setup

  • Create CLAUDE.md: Ask Claude to create a project instructions file that remembers your preferences
  • Initialize Git Repository: Set up version control for safe experimentation and rollbacks
  • Choose Starting Approach: Decide between building from scratch (more learning) or using proven GitHub templates (faster results)

Professional Vibe Coding Workflow​

Structured Planning Approach:

  • Define Requirements: Create a clear product requirements document with objectives and constraints
  • Set Up Context Management: Use CLAUDE.md to maintain persistent project knowledge across sessions
  • Establish Safety Protocols: Use Plan Mode for all significant changes and frequent git commits

Implementation Strategy:

  • Start Simple: Build core functionality first, focusing on one feature at a time
  • Test with Real Data: Use your actual information instead of "test test test" everywhere
  • Stay Safe: If something doesn't work after a few tries, start fresh rather than getting stuck in debug loops

Avoiding Common Problems​

Test Everything Thoroughly - Don't assume things work just because they look good. Click every button, fill out every form, and try to break things on purpose.

Save Your Work Often - When something works, ask Claude Code to commit it to git immediately. Also ask Claude to document how the feature works in your CLAUDE.md file.

Question Perfect Results - If something works perfectly on the first try, test it harder. Real systems have rough edges.

Build Your Experience

Start with simple utilities like a password generator, weather checker, or basic calculator before attempting complex applications. Building small tools first helps you learn Claude Code's patterns and develop confidence before tackling larger projects.

See Also: How to Start Vibe Coding|Best Vibe Coding Tool|Getting Started Guide

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