Free Starter Course: from your first AI tool to your first agent

Four stages

Each stage only uses what the last one set up.

Stage 1 needs nothing but a browser. From stage 2 you work on a Mac or PC.

Stage 1 · 1.1–1.2

Browser only

Where Any browser, even a phone
Cost Free
Done when A tool link that opens on your phone

Stage 2 · 2.1–2.3

Set up your workspace

Where A Mac or PC you can install on
Cost Claude Pro, $20/mo flat
Done when claude answers in your folder

Stage 3 · 3.1–3.4

Build

Where Same computer
Cost 3.3: SerpAPI free + under $1 of model use
Done when A running agent and an app plan

Stage 4 · 4.1

Where it goes

Where Watch only
Cost Free
Done when Post what you made

The ten chapters

What you can do after each one.

1.1 · Your first AI tool, no install
18 min

You can build a small working web tool from one written brief, publish it, and share the link.
1.2 · Research with AI
19 min

You can run one question through deep-research tools, load the reports into NotebookLM, and turn them into an audio overview you can listen to.
2.1 · Claude app, Project and folder
12 min

You can set up a Claude Project tied to one folder on your computer, with instructions, context and a model you chose, so you don't repeat yourself in every chat.
2.2 · Install Claude Code and an editor
15 min

You can install VS Code and Claude Code on macOS or Windows, sign in, and start Claude Code inside your project folder.
2.3 · Configure Claude Code and keep keys safe
17 min

You can keep API keys in a .env file that never gets published, set the model and effort in Claude Code, create CLAUDE.md with /init, and switch permission modes.
3.1 · An agent crew with no code
21 min

You can have Claude build one folder per agent, with Markdown files that set each agent's role, workflow and rules.
3.2 · Design before you code: the 3 layers
19 min

You can describe any AI app as frontend, backend and AI brain, and use the CTO prompt to get a one-page blueprint of your own idea.
3.3 · Code a two-agent pipeline
33 min

You can download a small Python project, have Claude Code set it up and run it so a topic becomes a researched post, then add a simple web page on top.
3.4 · Plan mode on a real app
20 min

You can point Claude Code at a clear problem and a folder, use plan mode to get a plan before any code changes, answer its questions, and run a second session alongside.
4.1 · A one-person company run by agents
20 min

You can see where these skills lead: agents that draft and publish posts, cut video clips, remember your work, and hand tasks to each other.

Straight answers

Before you start.

Is the Free Starter Course really free?

Yes, every chapter, with no account needed. The tools are a separate matter: stages 1 and 4 cost nothing, stages 2 and 3 run on a Claude Pro plan ($20 a month, paid to Anthropic), and chapter 3.3 uses SerpAPI's free tier plus under $1 of model use.

Do I need to know how to code?

No. Stage 1 runs in any browser, even a phone. In the later chapters Claude Code does the coding while you describe what you want and check the result.

How long does it take?

Ten chapters, 194 minutes of video and reading in all. Most chapters run 12 to 21 minutes; the longest, 3.3, is 33.

What do I have at the end?

After stage 1, a tool link that opens on your phone. After stage 3, a running agent and a plan for your own app.

What comes after it?

The full course, Ship Your AI Agent Product: four weeks, self-paced — decide what to build, design the backend, build the agent, and go live. Week 1 is free.

From your first AI tool to your first agent

Each stage only uses what the last one set up.

What you can do after each one.

1.1 · Your first AI tool, no install

1.2 · Research with AI

2.1 · Claude app, Project and folder

2.2 · Install Claude Code and an editor

2.3 · Configure Claude Code and keep keys safe

3.1 · An agent crew with no code

3.2 · Design before you code: the 3 layers

3.3 · Code a two-agent pipeline

3.4 · Plan mode on a real app

4.1 · A one-person company run by agents