Getting Started with Claude

Complete setup checklist for Anthropic’s Claude platform. Work through each section in order — later steps build on earlier ones.

Time: ~30 minutes for Part 1, ~5 minutes for Part 2 Requires: Nothing — this is where you start.

Part 1 — Claude

Set up your account, install all apps, configure Claude for the best experience, and connect your tools.

1. Create Your Account

Go to claude.ai and sign up (or sign in)
Upgrade to Claude Pro ($20/month) or Claude Max for extended usage

Official docs: Claude Support — Getting started

2. Install Claude Desktop

The desktop app gives you quick access to Claude outside the browser, plus support for local MCP servers and file system access.

Download from claude.ai/download — available for macOS and Windows
Sign in with your Claude account

Official docs: Claude Support — Desktop app

3. Install Claude Code

Claude Code is Anthropic’s AI coding CLI — it works directly with your files and terminal. This is the primary development tool used throughout the playbook.

macOS / Linux:

curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash

Windows PowerShell:
Terminal window
```
irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex
```
Start Claude Code and log in:
Terminal window
```
claude
```
Verify:
Terminal window
```
claude --version
```

Official docs: Claude Code Quickstart

4. Claude Office Add-ins

Use Claude inside Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.

Excel: Claude in Excel
PowerPoint: Claude in PowerPoint

For Google Workspace (Gmail, Calendar, Docs), connect via Settings → Connectors in Claude — covered in Step 8 below.

5. Install Mobile Apps

Access Claude on the go for quick questions, voice conversations, and image analysis.

iOS: App Store
Android: Google Play

6. Configure Personalization

Tell Claude about yourself so every conversation starts with context about your role, industry, and preferences.

Click your initials (lower-left) → Settings
Find “What preferences should Claude consider in responses?”
Enter your preferences and click Save

Starter template:

I’m a [your role] in [your industry]. I’m learning to build AI-powered workflows and agents. I prefer concise answers with practical examples. When I ask about technical concepts, explain them in business terms first, then provide the technical details.

Official docs: Claude Support — Personalization features

7. Enable Memory

Memory lets Claude remember context across conversations — preferences, project details, and key facts — so each conversation picks up where the last left off.

Go to Settings → Capabilities
Toggle Memory on
Grant any permissions if prompted

Memory works both in standalone chats and per-project. Each project has its own separate memory space.

Official docs: Claude Support — Memory and chat search

8. Connect MCP Servers & Connectors

MCP (Model Context Protocol) lets Claude read from and write to external tools — giving it access to your actual work environment.

Claude.ai (web): Connect remote MCP servers and 50+ built-in connectors (Slack, Notion, Google Drive, etc.).

Go to Settings → Connectors
Browse the connector directory or click Add custom connector to enter a remote MCP server URL
Enable connectors per conversation via the + button → Connectors

Claude Desktop: Supports both the web connectors and local MCP servers running on your machine.

Cowork: Accesses your connectors, local MCP servers, and file system automatically — no extra setup needed.

Connect the Hands-on AI Playbook MCP server for reference material:

→ MCP Server Connection Guide

Official docs:

9. Add Skills

After adding skills, you can say “edit this article for HBR quality” and your AI tool applies professional editorial standards automatically — no re-explaining your requirements each time.

Claude supports three ways to install skills:

Cowork — click + > Add plugins (no terminal needed)
Claude Code — /plugin install business-first-ai@handsonai
Claude.ai (web) — download a skill folder, zip it, and upload via Settings > Capabilities > Upload skill

→ How to Add Skills to Your Platform

Part 2 — Anthropic Developer Platform

The Claude Developer Platform is where you manage API keys, monitor usage, and access developer documentation. You need this if you’re building applications with the Anthropic API or want to manage API-based access to Claude models.

1. IDE Extension

Use Claude Code inside VS Code or Cursor. See AI Code Editor Setup for installation instructions.

2. Create a Developer Platform Account

Go to platform.claude.com and sign in with your Anthropic account
Navigate to API keys to create a key if needed

Most people don’t need this — Claude Code and Claude Desktop authenticate directly through your Claude subscription.

Official docs: Claude Developer Platform

You’re Done When

Part 1 — Claude:

Claude account created with Pro or Max subscription
Claude Desktop installed and signed in
Claude Code installed — claude --version prints a version number
Mobile app installed on at least one device
Personalization configured with your role and preferences
Memory enabled in Settings → Capabilities
At least one MCP connector or server connected (optional)
At least one skill installed or added (optional)

Part 2 — Developer Platform:

Claude Code IDE extension installed in VS Code or Cursor (optional)
Developer Platform account created at platform.claude.com (optional — for API access)