Free hands-on lessons
The Claude Code Challenge
Short lessons that take you from installing Claude Code to a project with its own CLAUDE.md, skills and hooks. Every step gives you the exact command to copy and a check that shows it worked.
- 3 lessons so far
- 15 to 25 min each
- macOS, Linux and Windows
- Checked against the docs on 7 October 2026
Your progress
0 of 3 lessons done. Saved in this browser only, with no account.
How it works
Every lesson follows the same pattern, so once you’ve done one you know how the rest go.
Tell us your setup
Pick macOS, Linux, Windows or WSL and answer a question or two about where you are. The steps show the commands for your system and skip what you have already done.
Copy every command
Each step gives you the exact command, prompt or file. One click copies it, so there is nothing to retype.
Check it worked
Every step ends with what you should see. If you don’t see it, the common problems and their fixes are right there.
Keep the kit
Download the practice project and the finished files for each day, to compare with your own or to start again.
The lessons
Do them in order. Each day starts from the files the day before finished with, and each has its own kit.
- Day 1Not started
Set up Claude Code and write your first CLAUDE.md
Install Claude Code, log in, and give it a short CLAUDE.md that explains your project. Then prove it reads the file, with a question only that file can answer. About 20 min 7 steps - Day 2Not started
Turn a prompt you keep repeating into a skill
A /client-update skill that turns your recent commits into a plain-English update for a client, run by you or picked up by Claude when you simply ask. About 15 min 7 steps - Day 3Not started
Make Claude check its own work with hooks and tests
Two hooks that keep Claude out of your secrets and tests, and send it back when it finishes with a failing test. About 25 min 7 steps
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Claude Code for your team
Want Claude Code set up across your team?
HorizonLux sets up and repairs Claude Code for teams: CLAUDE.md rules, hooks that enforce them and reviewed MCP servers. Book a free call to talk it through.
Questions
Questions about the challenge
Who is the Claude Code Challenge for?
Anyone who wants to use Claude Code on real work: developers, and people who are newer to the terminal. The lessons go one step at a time, and each step ends with a check, so you always know whether it worked.
What does it cost?
The lessons and the kits are free. Claude Code itself needs a paid account: Anthropic’s docs say it requires a Pro, Max, Team, Enterprise or Console account, and the free Claude.ai plan does not include it.
Do I need to know how to code?
No. You need to be comfortable opening a terminal and pasting a command. You practise on a small sample project, so you can learn without touching your own code. Knowing some code helps once you use Claude Code on your own projects.
Does it work on Windows?
Yes. Claude Code runs natively on Windows 10 (version 1809 or later) from PowerShell or Command Prompt, and inside WSL. Pick your system at the start of a lesson and every step shows the matching commands. Git for Windows is optional.
How is my progress saved?
In your browser, on this device only. There is no account, and your progress is not sent to us. A private window or clearing your browser data starts you from scratch, and you can reset it yourself on this page.
Is this made by Anthropic?
No. HorizonLux wrote the Claude Code Challenge. It is an independent resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Anthropic. We check every command against Anthropic’s official Claude Code docs and link the pages we used at the end of each lesson.
The Claude Code Challenge is an independent HorizonLux resource. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by Anthropic.