THE SHORT ANSWER
How to set up Claude Code for a real project
Start in a clean branch, read the project instructions, ask for a plan, and make the agent prove changes with tests. The setup is less important than the review loop.
Our recommendation
- Commit or stash your existing work before starting.
- Tell the agent the goal, constraints, and command used to test the project.
- Review every diff and never paste secrets into prompts.
Prepare the repository
Use version control, a clear README, and a working test command. A coding agent performs better when it can discover how the project is structured and how success is verified.
Give a narrow first task
Ask for one small change such as fixing a visible bug or adding a test. Request a plan before edits, then inspect the files changed and the commands run.
Create a repeatable loop
The safest loop is plan, edit, test, inspect, and commit. Claude Code’s documentation covers its terminal workflow and project usage, but your repository’s own instructions should remain the source of truth. Sources: Claude Code overview