Getting Started with Claude: A Practical First-Day Guide
Updated: 1 day ago
⚡ TL;DR Open claude.ai or the desktop or mobile app, describe what you need in plain language, and use the model selector and the plus menu to unlock more. Free plans reset usage every five hours.
The first hour with a new AI tool decides whether it becomes part of your day or gets forgotten. This guide to getting started with Claude skips the theory and focuses on what to actually do first.
It is the same onboarding checklist we walk new clients through at Lord Of The Wix. 🧭
🚀 Getting Started with Claude in Minutes
You can start chatting right away at claude.ai in your browser. If you prefer an app, Claude Desktop runs on Mac and Windows, and mobile apps are available for iOS and Android.
To use Claude you need to be 18 or older and located in a supported country or region.
✍️ Writing Your First Prompts
Talk to Claude the way you would brief a capable colleague. Prompts can be a one-line question or a detailed, multi-step project.
💬 Start simple: ask a question or paste a draft to improve
➕ Click the plus button to attach files and see more options
⌨️ Type a slash to open the list of available commands
💡 Pro tip Give context up front: who it's for, the goal, and the format you want. One good brief beats five rounds of corrections.
⚙️ Choosing a Model and Effort Level
The model selector lets you pick a model, set the effort level, or turn on extended thinking for harder problems. Use lighter settings for quick tasks and more effort for complex analysis.
📏 Free vs Paid Usage
Free plans include a session limit that resets every five hours. Paid plans add more usage and features. Free, Pro and Max users can also import memory from other AI providers, so switching does not mean starting from zero.
🚀 Your First-Week Plan
A simple routine that builds the habit:
1️⃣ Day 1: rewrite an email or summarize a long document
2️⃣ Day 3: brainstorm ideas for a real project
3️⃣ Day 5: create a project with your key files and instructions
Getting started with Claude is easiest when you use it on real work from day one. Want a guided rollout for your team? Lord Of The Wix runs Claude onboarding for businesses. ✨
❓ Getting started with Claude FAQ
Where can I start using Claude?
In your browser at claude.ai, in Claude Desktop for Mac and Windows, or in the iOS and Android apps.
Do I need to be a certain age to use Claude?
Yes. You must be 18 or older and in a supported location.
How do I choose a model in Claude?
Use the model selector to pick a model, set the effort level, or enable extended thinking.
How often does the free plan usage reset?
Free plans have a session limit that resets every five hours.
Can I bring my memory from another AI assistant?
Yes. Free, Pro and Max users can import memory from other AI providers.
🙏 Credit: This article is based on public information from the Claude Help Center. Claude is a product of Anthropic. Source: support.claude.com.
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