First project scope
I am new to coding. Help me choose the smallest useful version of this project: [describe idea]. Ask me up to five questions, then give me a 7-day beginner plan with files, features, and a definition of done.
Copy-ready prompts
Claude coding prompts for new builders.
Use these prompts to plan, code, debug, refactor, review, and learn without getting overwhelmed.
Prompt system
Use the right prompt for the job.
Start with a plan, make one small change, test it, and ask for explanations. That loop beats giant vague requests.
Explain a file
Explain this file like I am a beginner. First summarize what it does, then explain each important section, then list three safe changes I could make to learn from it. Here is the file: [paste code].Smallest code change
I want to add [feature]. Before writing code, identify the minimum files that need to change. Then give me the smallest working diff and explain how to test it manually.Debug with evidence
My app is doing this: [actual behavior]. I expected: [expected behavior]. Error/output: [paste]. Files involved: [list]. Give me three likely causes ranked by probability, then the first thing to check.Line-by-line teaching
Teach me what this code does line by line. Do not assume I know jargon. Define any new term the first time you use it. Then ask me three questions to check my understanding.Refactor safely
Review this code for repeated logic, confusing names, and avoidable complexity. Do not change behavior. Suggest a refactor plan first, then show the smallest safe changes.Code review
Act as a careful code reviewer. Look for bugs, edge cases, accessibility issues, unclear names, and security concerns. Separate must-fix issues from nice-to-have improvements.README writer
Write a beginner-friendly README for this project. Include what it does, how to run it, files included, what I learned, and three next features I could build.Accessibility pass
Review this page for accessibility. Focus on headings, labels, keyboard navigation, contrast risks, alt text, and form errors. Give practical fixes in priority order.Ship checklist
Create a pre-launch checklist for this small web project. Include functionality, mobile layout, broken links, performance, accessibility, copy, analytics, and rollback steps.Terminal helper
I am new to the terminal. Explain what this command does before I run it: [command]. Tell me what folder I should be in, what output to expect, and how to undo it if possible.Learning plan
Based on this project, make me a two-week learning plan. I can study [time] per day. Focus on the concepts I actually touched, not random theory.