01Process
What a process is
A step-by-step sequence carried out by people and tools to reach a result. Mapping a process means understanding each step the person in charge performs.
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The foundation · No. 01
Three ideas before you practice.
Before opening Claude, it helps to understand three concepts that organize everything that comes next.
02System
What an automated system is
A process in which the people who used to run it are replaced by agents. Once the process is clear, you can make it automatic.
03Tip
Stuck on the mapping?
Ask Claude itself for help: "I want to map this process, but it is not clear yet. Can you ask me questions to help me?"
The hierarchy
What organizes everything.
System, agent and skill are not synonyms. Each one lives on a different layer.
01
Top
System
The whole operation. Several integrated agents running the process end to end. It is the entire company at work.
02
Middle
Agent
An employee with a specific role. The agent's prompt is the job description: instructions, responsibilities and what is expected of it.
03
Base
Skill
The procedure the agent follows to perform a task. You write it once and it runs the same way every time.
System · Agent · Skill.(ClaudinhoCode, MMXXVI)
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Where AI lives · No. 02
Where to use it, what it costs, which model.
01Web
Claude.ai
The browser version. Quick access from any computer.
02App
Claude Desktop
Chat, Cowork and Code in one app. This is everyday use.
03Terminal
Claude Code
Full control from the command line, for people who want to go deeper.
Simple rule
Chat to understand · Cowork to connect · Code to build.
Plans and pricing
What it costs to start.
You can start for free. The prices below are approximate and meant as a reference.
| Plan | Cost / month | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Trying the chat with usage limits. |
| Pro | ~ US$ 20 | Learning and everyday use, with moderate usage. |
| Max 5x | ~ US$ 100 | Daily professional use and running agents. |
| Max 20x | ~ US$ 200 | Heavy operations and several flows at once. |
The 3 models
Which brain to use in each case.
Claude has three models. Picking the right one balances speed, quality and cost.
01Fast
Haiku
Simple, repetitive tasks. The fastest and cheapest.
02Balance
Sonnet
General use. A good balance between quality and cost, it covers most needs.
03Deep
Opus
Complex reasoning and harder decisions, when the task demands more.
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Understanding · No. 03
What Artificial Intelligence is.
AI is a tool that can help people think, organize, learn, create and solve problems. It does not replace you. It extends what you can do.
"AI does not take your place. It gives you back your time."
A tool, not magic.(ClaudinhoCode, MMXXVI)
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The assistant · No. 04
Claude is who you talk to.
Claude is an Artificial Intelligence assistant. You talk to it in plain language, the way you would talk to a person. Use it to:
- Study and review any subject
- Write texts, emails and messages
- Organize tasks and plan your week
- Summarize long texts and documents
- Generate ideas and get past creative blocks
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The right way to ask · No. 05
Three habits that change your answers.
01
Clarity
Be specific
Instead of "help me", say exactly what you want: "create a study plan to learn English in 30 days". The clearer the request, the better the answer.
02
Context
Give context
Describe the situation: who it is for, what the goal is, what you have already tried. The more context you give, the better the answer fits your case.
03
Refinement
Refine the answer
AI works best in an ongoing conversation. Do not expect to get it right the first time: ask for changes, give examples and keep polishing until you get what you need.
Asking well is half the answer.(ClaudinhoCode, MMXXVI)
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Copy and try · No. 06
Start with these prompts.
A prompt is the request you write. Open Claude, paste one of these and watch the AI work. Then adapt it to your own subject.
See the prompt library# Summarize a text Summarize the text below in 5 points, simply, as if I were 15 years old. # Explain it the easy way Explain what compound interest is using an everyday example. # Create a plan Create a 4-week study plan to learn Excel.
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What to avoid · No. 07
Three stumbles of people just starting out.
01Vague request
Questions that are too broad
"Help me with marketing" says nothing. Narrow the problem down: audience, goal and expected format.
02No context
Not enough context
Without knowing your situation, the AI guesses. Describe the scenario before asking for the task.
03Rushing
Expecting it right away
The first answer is a draft. A good result comes from refining it, in conversation.
Frequently asked questions
Questions from newcomers.
Short answers to the questions that come up before getting started.
Do I need to know how to code to use AI?
No. You talk to the AI in everyday language. Coding only comes in much later, and even then in a simplified way.
Will the AI give wrong answers?
It can happen. That is why you check what matters and refine the answer. Treat AI as an attentive assistant, not as an infallible source.
Do I need to pay to start?
You can start with the free versions. As your usage grows, a paid plan may be worth it, but that is a decision for later.
Where do I go after this guide?
This is step 01 of a 5-step path. Next comes Prompts, then Workflows, Systems and Hacks, in that order. The block just below takes you forward, and you can see the whole route on the Path page.
Next step
Now it is time to practice.
Open Claude and try one of the first prompts. When you feel comfortable, move on to the next stop on the path.
Start Here