1.1 — Why Claude Code Desktop
What You'll Get From This
A clear answer to "why can't I just keep using claude.ai like everyone else?"
Understand differences in different products that claude has to offer.
Claude.ai in the browser:
- Can't read your folders
- Can't edit files on your machine
- Can't run terminal commands or scripts
- Can't schedule jobs or run in the background
- Loses context the moment you close the tab
Claude Code Desktop:
- Reads any folder you point it at
- Edits files in place
- Runs commands, scripts, and scheduled jobs
- Holds persistent memory through CLAUDE.md and skills
- Dispatches subagents and parallel workers
- Connects to the rest of your life through MCPs (calendar, email, Notion, Slack, whatever you use)
Every lesson from here on assumes you're in Claude Code Desktop. Every workspace.
"But I'm not a developer"....Read This Before You Panic
You don't need to be. I built this course for business owners, creators, and solo operators. You will not write code in this course. You will type commands, the same way you type URLs into a browser.
If you can use a browser, you can use Claude Code. The terminal is just a different-looking browser: text in, text out. Lesson 1.2 makes you fluent in the eight commands you'll ever need. That's it.
When you use Claude in the browser at claude.ai, you're using a chat app. Beautiful UI. Clean conversation. Works on your phone etc. It feels like chatting with ChatGPT or Gemini, except maybe just a little better and less cringey emojis.
However to get the most of AI Large Language Models (LLMs), you need to use the LLMs within a harness that will be able to use the LLMs (think of it as a brain) and to give it tools (think of your AI's having hands) to interact with apps, browsers and your PC by either typing or clicking around and seeing your screen.
The most popular ways are with Claude Cowork and Claude Code.
Above is the top left panel of the CLAUDE DESKTOP APP. This is the chat function (question and answers to Claude. People use this to chat to Claude as therapists, advisors, search engines etc. the most basic way of talking to the Claude "Brain")
Above is Claude Cowork. This is the least intimidating way of chatting to the Claude Brain and getting it to do things in your PC, apps etc. It is all done through the Claude Desktop App. However, I will not be really covering this as I feel it is less flexible than Claude Code and learning Claude Code offers much more customising, flexibility, and future proofing our automations in the future :)
Above is Claude Code. Simply click on it or use the hotkey (Cmd + 3) on Mac. All our lessons are done either here or via terminal (more on this later)
Step 1 — Install Claude Code Desktop
Unfortunately I will only be showing you how to do this via Mac. I believe Mac is the best OS for running Claude Code. They usually ship updates first for Mac and Mac is much more common as a productivity tool especially for coding with software businesses and developers.
Then sign up for Claude Subscription. $20USD if paid monthly $17USD if paid yearly.
Download Claude Desktop via the link here:
Step 2 — Once Downloaded,
First launch, Claude Code walks you through setup. Let it run and follow instructions.
For most of you, you'll click Personal Use as above.
After this you'll be prompted to pay for subscription if you havent done so already. Unfortunately there aren't any free trials for claude code. You may see there's a free tier. but free tier doesn't include claude code or cowork unfortunately :(
If you want to see the rest, it'll come in the free claude code community in my Skool: sign up here: https://linktw.in/pPrcbW