# Claude Runbook — The Starter Vault

Six runbooks, in the order to run them. Each step is read-do: read the line, do the line, check the result. If a step fails, the runbook is wrong, not you. Reply to any email and it gets fixed.

## 01 · Install Claude Code and say hello (Setup, 10 min)

Outcome: Claude Code running in a folder on your computer, answering a question about that folder.

1. Open the terminal. Mac: ⌘ Space, type Terminal. Windows: Start, type PowerShell.
   Check: a window with a blinking cursor.
2. Install Claude Code. Mac: `curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash` · Windows PowerShell: `irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex`. Close and reopen the terminal.
   Check: `claude --version` prints a version number.
3. Make a folder and step into it: `mkdir -p ~/first-build && cd ~/first-build`
   Check: the line ends in first-build.
4. Start Claude and sign in: `claude`
   Check: a box in the terminal waiting for you to type.
5. Ask: "What is in this folder, and what are three small things we could build here? Keep it short."
   Check: Claude says the folder is empty and lists three ideas.

## 02 · Give Claude a brief it will keep reading (Setup, 12 min)

Outcome: a CLAUDE.md in your folder that Claude reads every time it starts.

1. Write one paragraph about the thing, in your notes app. What it is, who it is for, the one thing it must do.
2. Ask: "Here is what I want to build: [your paragraph]. Write a file called CLAUDE.md for this folder with four short sections: what this is, who it is for, what done looks like, and three rules you will follow while working here. Ask me up to three questions first if anything is unclear."
3. Accept the file when it asks permission. Check: `ls` lists CLAUDE.md.
4. Type /exit, start `claude` again, ask: "In two lines: what are we building here, and what does done look like?"
   Check: the answer matches your paragraph.

## 03 · Build the smallest version that works (Build, 25 min)

1. Say what done is in one sentence that starts with "I can…".
2. Ask: "Done means: [your sentence]. Before writing anything, propose the smallest version of this I could try today. List the files you would create and one line on what each does. Prefer fewer files. Wait for my OK."
3. Say: "Go. Build exactly that. When you are done, tell me the one command to run it and what I should see."
4. Run it yourself in a second terminal tab.
5. Report: "I ran it. Here is exactly what happened: [paste]. Fix only that. Do not add anything else."
   Stop when your sentence is true. Do not add a feature today.

## 04 · Turn a messy folder into a tidy one (Everyday, 15 min)

1. Copy the folder first: `cp -R ~/Downloads ~/sort-me && cd ~/sort-me && claude`
2. Ask for an inventory: "List everything in this folder grouped by what it seems to be. Give counts. Do not move or delete anything yet."
3. Ask: "Propose a folder structure for this, using at most six top-level folders with plain names. Show me the before and after as a tree. Wait for my OK."
4. Say: "Do it. Move the files into that structure. Keep a file called MOVES.md that lists every file you moved, from where to where. Do not delete anything."

## 05 · Make Claude prove its own work (Habit, 8 min)

1. "Before you change anything, write down in one line how we will know it worked. Then wait."
2. "Go. Make the change, then run the check you wrote and paste the output here. If the check fails, say so plainly and stop."
3. "Add a rule to CLAUDE.md: every change ends with a check that proves it worked, and the output of that check is shown to me before you say you are done."

## 06 · Put it on a link you can open on your phone (Ship, 20 min)

1. Make the hosting account yourself at vercel.com. Accounts, passwords and payments are always yours to do.
2. "Deploy this folder with Vercel. Run the deploy command, and for each question the tool asks, pause and tell me what it is asking and what to answer. Default to the simplest option."
3. Open the link on your phone.
4. "Add a short section to CLAUDE.md called Deploy: the command to deploy, and the live address."
   Send the link to one person. Done.

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@clauderunbook · Independent. Not affiliated with Anthropic.