Summary  
This chapter explains how to designate a project folder as the working directory for generated code, grant the necessary filesystem permissions, and use a planning phase to define the project’s structure before starting implementation.  

General domain of usage  
Web application development

Before you write a single prompt, there is one thing Claude Code needs to know: where to put your work. When Claude Code builds your project, it writes real code files to your computer. It needs a folder to store them in. Think of it like telling a contractor which room to work in before they start.

When you open Claude Code, you will see three tabs at the top. Click **Code** to enter Claude Code. From there, click **New Session** to start a fresh project. The folder selector is located at the bottom left. If it says **Select a Folder**, that is the first thing you need to set up.

Claude Code will ask for access to your folders the first time. It is safe to allow this. It needs that access to read and write the code files for your project.


Note

What should you do first when setting up a project in Claude Code?

Build and launch a real app in just one weekend using modern AI tools and a simple, practical workflow, using Claude Code to plan, generate, and refine your code, managing your project with GitHub, and deploying your finished app online with Vercel. You’ll start with an idea and quickly turn it into a clear project plan, then move step by step into building a working application, focusing on core features, simple architecture, and fast iteration instead of unnecessary complexity, while learning how to work effectively with AI by writing better prompts, fixing errors, and improving features, ending with a live app, a clean GitHub project, and a repeatable system for turning future ideas into real products faster.

Understand the basics of AI-assisted development, set up your environment, and get familiar with Claude Code before starting your first app.

Turn your idea into a clear, simple plan and define the smallest version of your app that delivers real value.

Go from zero to a running app by generating code with AI, setting up the project, and understanding what was created.

Improve your app by adding features, refining the design, and learning how to fix issues effectively.

Publish your project, make it accessible online, and ensure everything works using GitHub and Vercel.

Setting Up the Project