Building with Claude Code

What is Claude Code?

Claude Code is Anthropic's official CLI tool that connects Claude directly to your local machine. Instead of copying and pasting code back and forth in a chat window, Claude can read your files, write code, run commands, and build entire projects right from your terminal — all in one conversation.

This is how I build. Every project on this site was touched by Claude Code in some way.

Why I Use It

Most AI tools keep you at arm's length from your codebase. Claude Code closes that gap. It can:

• Read and edit files across your entire project
• Run terminal commands on your behalf
• Catch errors and fix them in the same session
• Work inside your existing tools (VS Code, Cursor, etc.)

It's the difference between having an AI that suggests code and one that builds alongside you.

How to Set It Up

1. Install Node.js

Make sure you have Node.js installed on your machine. You can download it at nodejs.org.

2. Install Claude Code

Open your terminal and run:

npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

3. Authenticate

claude

The first time you run it, Claude Code will walk you through connecting your Anthropic account. Once authenticated, you're ready to build.

Starting a Project

Navigate to any folder on your laptop and start a session:

cd my-project
claude

From there, just talk to it like you're working with another developer. For example:

"Build me a Next.js app with Tailwind CSS and a dark theme"

"Add a contact form that sends emails using Resend"

"Fix the bug on line 42 and make sure the tests still pass"

Claude Code reads your codebase, makes the changes, and explains what it did.

Projects I've Built This Way

Every project you see on this portfolio was built using this workflow:

• This portfolio — Next.js, Three.js, Tailwind CSS, all scaffolded and iterated with Claude Code
• OCR Intake Form — Built with Claude Code to digitize volunteer data for Project Vietnam Foundation
• LHP Official — The artist collective site, wired up and deployed with Claude Code assistance
• Lynx Combinator — The program landing page, built end-to-end in a single session

The Honest Truth

You don't need to know how to code to start. You need to know what you want to build.

Claude Code handles the syntax. You handle the vision.

That's the whole idea behind everything I build — and the community I'm growing through Lynx Combinator.