Chapter 01 · Start here

VS Code basics

VS Code is the app where your files live and where Claude Code runs. It's already installed and ready on your machine. You need exactly four things from it, listed below. Everything else can wait.

1 · Open a window and a folder

VS Code works on folders, not single files. A folder is your "project": everything for one piece of work lives inside it.

  • New window: Ctrl+Shift+N (Mac: Cmd+Shift+N) — a fresh workspace for a different project.
  • Open a folder: menu File → Open Folder, then pick or create one. VS Code will now show its contents in the left panel (the Explorer).
  • First time? Create a folder anywhere (like my-first-project in Documents) and open it. An empty folder is a fine start; Claude can fill it.
✳

Rule of thumb: one project = one folder = one VS Code window. When Claude Code runs, it works inside whichever folder is open.

2 · Find the terminal

The terminal is a text box where you type commands instead of clicking. It looks intimidating; it's just chat with your computer. This is where you'll start Claude Code.

  • Open it with Ctrl+` (the backtick key, above Tab) or menu Terminal → New Terminal.
  • It appears at the bottom, already "inside" your project folder.
  • Type a command, press Enter, read the reply. That's the whole skill.

3 · Know the three areas

📁 Explorer (left)

Your files and folders. Click one to open it. New files Claude creates appear here.

✎ Editor (center)

Where files open for reading and editing. Tabs along the top, one per open file.

›_ Terminal (bottom)

Where you type commands and run Claude Code. Toggle it with Ctrl+`.

4 · The command palette

Can't find a menu? Press Ctrl+Shift+P (Mac: Cmd+Shift+P) and type what you want, like "open folder" or "new terminal". VS Code finds it for you. This guide has the same idea: press Ctrl K here to search everything.

✳ Try it yourself
1. Create a folder called  my-first-project  and open it in VS Code
2. Press  Ctrl+`  to open the terminal
3. Type  echo hello  and press Enter

If the terminal replied hello, you're ready for Claude Code.