How to Use the Terminal Before Claude Code: Practice in Your Browser
This uses the keyboard, so open it on a computer. You can read every step further down this page.
About this tutorial
Claude Code runs in the terminal. Even if you have never opened one, work through these five lessons and you will have checked where you are, moved to your project and started Claude Code to ask it something, with your own hands. Nothing to install and no sign-up.
The terminal is a practice terminal that runs in your browser, and commands like pwd, cd and ls work just like the real ones. A typo here cannot touch your computer. The Claude Code screen is a simulator: the keys and the screen are the real thing, but it does not actually think and gives a set answer.
Lessons and steps
1. Find where you are
The terminal is a screen where you type commands to work your computer. Press Enter to run what you typed. The terminal is always inside some folder.
- Type pwd and press Enter to show the folder you are in.
- Type ls to list what is in this folder.
2. Change folders (cd)
cd followed by a folder name moves you into that folder. Claude Code works on the folder you start it in, so move to your project first.
- Move into the projects folder with cd projects.
- Look inside projects with ls. There is a folder called shop-api.
- Move into the project with cd shop-api. Press Tab partway through a name to complete the rest.
- Go back up one folder (to projects) with cd .. .
- Move into shop-api again. Try completing the name with Tab this time.
3. Look inside files (cat)
cat followed by a file name shows what is inside it. ls followed by a folder name lists that folder without moving into it.
- Read the project description with cat README.md.
- List the src folder with ls src.
- When the screen fills up, clear wipes it. Try it.
4. Check that Git is installed
Claude Code works together with Git, the tool that records your changes. To check that a tool is installed, type its name followed by --version.
- Type git --version to check that Git is installed.
5. Start Claude Code and ask it something
Type claude in your project folder to start Claude Code. Here, a stand-in (a simulator) answers. The keys and the screen are the real thing.
- Inside shop-api, type claude to start Claude Code.
- Ask what this project does. For example, type what does this project do? and press Enter.
- Wait for the answer. Claude Code reads README.md before it answers.
- Type /exit and press Enter to quit Claude Code and return to the terminal.
Commands and keys used here
| Command or key | What it does |
|---|---|
| pwd | Show the folder you are in |
| ls | List what is in this folder (ls folder for another folder) |
| cd folder | Move into that folder |
| cd .. | Go up one folder |
| Tab | Complete a file or folder name |
| cat file | Show what is inside a file |
| clear | Clear the screen |
| ↑ | Bring back the previous command |
| Ctrl+C | Cancel what you are typing or stop a running command |
| git --version | Check that Git is installed |
| claude | Start Claude Code in the current folder |
| /exit | Quit Claude Code and return to the terminal |
FAQ
How do I open the terminal?
On a Mac, press Command and Space to open Spotlight, type Terminal and press Enter. It is also in Applications, under Utilities. On Windows, open Terminal (Windows Terminal) from the Start menu.
What happens if I mistype a command?
Before you press Enter, fix it with Backspace. Ctrl+C cancels a half-typed command. If you run it and see command not found, it means that command does not exist, and nothing changed.
Which folder should I start Claude Code in?
The folder of the project you are working on. Claude Code reads and edits the files in the folder you start it in. Move there with cd, check with pwd, then type claude.
Claude Code asked me to install Git.
Type git --version in the terminal. If it prints git version, Git is installed. If not, install the Xcode Command Line Tools on a Mac or Git for Windows on Windows. The steps are in the How to Install Git article.
Is the Claude Code on this page the real thing?
It is a simulator. The keys and the screen are the real thing, but it does not actually think and gives a set answer. To use the real one, install Claude Code on your computer and log in with your Claude account.
Keep practicing
WebTerm Learn’s Terminal Introduction course goes on to creating, copying and deleting files and recovering when you get stuck, moving like a game through slides and exercises one step at a time. See How to Install Git for installing Git, and the Linux commands list for more commands.
Start from Zero
Terminal Introduction
Learn the basics of terminal from scratch
A step-by-step guide for beginners. Master file operations, navigation, and core commands.
Practice Makes Perfect
Terminal Introduction
Put intro skills into practice
Exercises only, to build muscle memory. With hints and skip for a smooth experience.