4.1: Setup
- Time to Complete: 10 minutes
Interactive lesson: Run
/start-4-1in Claude Code
In this lesson: Set up your project folder and learn the build loop.
Download Course Files
If you haven’t downloaded the course files yet, go back to the Module Overview for download instructions. Even if you downloaded the course materials for earlier modules, you’ll need to download again - this module includes new files.
What is Vibecoding?
Vibecoding is building software by describing what you want instead of writing code.
The term was popularized by Andrej Karpathy - the idea of “fully giving in to the vibes.” You describe the outcome, AI handles the implementation.
The skill isn’t coding. It’s:
- Being clear about what you want
- Giving good feedback
- Knowing when something’s right
You’re orchestrating, not implementing.
The PM/Engineer Dynamic
This is how non-technical founders actually work with developers:
- Your job: Know what you want, give clear feedback
- Their job: Figure out how to build it
In this module, you’re the PM. Claude is the engineer.
You describe. Claude builds. You review. Claude refines.
This is a real professional skill that transfers everywhere - working with designers, developers, agencies, or any AI tool.
The Build Loop
Every project follows the same loop:
- Plan → Get clear on what you’re building
- Build → Let AI create it
- Iterate → Refine until it’s right
- Save → Back it up to GitHub
- Go Live → Put it on the internet (deploy)
This loop works for anything - landing pages, tools, apps, prototypes.
What is a Framework?
A framework is a pre-built foundation so you don’t start from scratch.
Think of it like a house frame before you add walls and paint. It handles common patterns so you can focus on your specific app.
Next.js is the framework we use - it’s popular for building websites and works seamlessly with Vercel (where we’ll deploy).
You don’t need to understand it. Just know it exists.
What is JavaScript?
JavaScript is the most popular programming language for websites. It runs in browsers and makes websites interactive.
You don’t need to learn it - Claude writes it for you.
What’s Next
4.2: Plan → - Claude interviews you to define exactly what you’re building