Build Your AI Assistant
in 20 Minutes.
No coding. No experience needed. Just answer a few questions and we'll do the rest.
First, let's start with your name.
Just your first name. We use it to personalize your setup.
This first part takes about 5 minutes. No technical stuff yet.
Build Your Brain File
Answer a few questions and we'll create a personalized instruction file for your AI assistant. It takes about 5 minutes.
What you're about to build
Most people use AI like a search engine. Type a question, get an answer, start over. Your AI assistant is different. It remembers who you are, what you're working on, and how you like to communicate. It gets smarter every time you use it.
In the next few minutes, you'll create a "brain file" that tells your assistant everything it needs to know about you. Then we'll install the tools to bring it to life.
The result: an assistant that knows your name, your role, your projects, and your preferences from the first conversation. No re-explaining. No starting from scratch. Just you and an AI that actually understands how you work.
Your brain file is built.
Here's what your assistant will know about you. Take a look at the preview on the right (or scroll down on mobile).
Now let's get the tools installed so you can actually use it. This part takes about 15 minutes.
You'll need a computer for the next part.
We saved your progress. When you open this page on your laptop or desktop, everything will be here waiting.
Set Up Your Tools
This part takes about 15 minutes. We'll walk you through every click and every command, one at a time. You've got this.
Before We Start: Pick Your Computer
This next part involves downloading a few tools to your computer. It looks like a lot, but we'll go one at a time. Each one takes about 2 minutes. You've got this.
First, tell us what kind of computer you're using so we can give you the right instructions.
Are you on a Mac or Windows?
On Linux? Follow the Mac instructions. They're almost identical.
Download and Install VS Code
What it is: A free app for viewing and editing files. Think of it like Microsoft Word, but for your assistant's files.
Why you need it: This is where you'll see and edit your assistant's brain file.
Time: ~2 minutes
What success looks like: You can open the blue VS Code icon on your computer. Run the installer and accept all the defaults.
One down. That was the easiest one.
Download and Install Node.js
What it is: A small program that runs behind the scenes on your computer.
Why you need it: Claude Code needs this to work. Without it, nothing starts.
Time: ~2 minutes
Important: Download the version that says LTS. That means "Long Term Support" -- it's the stable, reliable version. It'll be the big green button on the page.
What success looks like: The installer says "complete" or "finish." Run it and accept all the defaults.
Two down. You're building real infrastructure now.
Create a GitHub Account
What it is: A free website for backing up your files online.
Why you need it: If your computer breaks, your assistant's brain is safe. Think of it like a safety deposit box for your files.
Time: ~3 minutes
What success looks like: You have a GitHub username and can log in.
Three down. All the accounts and apps are set up.
Sign Up for Claude
What it is: Your AI subscription. This is the brain that powers your assistant.
Why you need it: Everything else is plumbing. This is the engine.
Time: ~3 minutes
Check claude.ai for current plans and pricing. You need an active subscription to use Claude Code.
All the tools are installed. The hard part? You already did it. Everything from here is just connecting the pieces.
Install Claude Code in VS Code
This adds Claude directly into your file editor so you can talk to your assistant while looking at your files.
- Open VS Code. It's the blue icon you just installed.
- Click the Extensions icon in the left sidebar. It looks like four small squares.
- Type "Claude Code" in the search bar at the top.
- Find the one by Anthropic. Click Install.
- Wait for it to finish. You're done when you see the Claude icon in the left sidebar.
What you just did: You added Claude directly into your file editor. Now you can talk to your assistant while looking at your files.
You just connected Claude to your editor. That's a big deal.
Open Terminal and Install Claude Code
This is the step that scares people. Let's take the mystery out of it. Terminal is just a text-based way to talk to your computer. Instead of clicking buttons, you type words. You're going to type exactly one thing.
Showing instructions for:
How to open Terminal (Mac):
Press Cmd + Space. Type Terminal. Hit Enter.
You'll see a dark window with a blinking cursor. That's Terminal. If you've never opened it before, that's totally fine. Most people haven't.
How to open PowerShell (Windows):
Press the Windows key. Type PowerShell. Hit Enter.
You'll see a blue window with a cursor. That's your terminal. If you've never opened it before, that's totally fine. Most people haven't.
Now paste this command and hit Enter:
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
What this does: npm is like an app store for developer tools. This command downloads Claude Code to your computer. You'll never need to type this again.
What success looks like: Some text scrolls by and then your cursor comes back. That means it worked.
If you see "permission denied" (Mac):
Copy and paste this instead:
sudo npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
Then enter your computer password. The password won't show as you type. That's normal. Just type it and press Enter.
If you see "npm not found":
Node.js didn't install correctly. Go back to Step 8 and reinstall it. Make sure you download the version that says "LTS." After installing, close Terminal completely and reopen it before trying again.
Something else went wrong?
Copy the error message. Go to claude.ai and paste it in. Ask Claude to help you fix it. Seriously. It's great at this.
You just used Terminal. Most people never get this far.
Create Your Assistant's Home
Every assistant needs a folder on your computer. Let's make one. Still in Terminal. Copy and paste these commands one at a time, pressing Enter after each.
Showing instructions for:
Create the folder:
mkdir ~/Documents/"My AI Assistant"
This creates a new folder called My AI Assistant in your Documents.
Move into that folder:
cd ~/Documents/"My AI Assistant"
This moves you into that folder. Think of it like opening a folder by double-clicking, but in Terminal.
Turn on version tracking:
git init
This turns on version tracking for the folder. Like turning on "Version History" in Google Docs.
Create the folder:
mkdir "$HOME\Documents\My AI Assistant"
This creates a new folder called My AI Assistant in your Documents.
Move into that folder:
cd "$HOME\Documents\My AI Assistant"
This moves you into that folder. Think of it like opening a folder by double-clicking, but in PowerShell.
Turn on version tracking:
git init
This turns on version tracking for the folder. Like turning on "Version History" in Google Docs.
Three commands. That's all it took. Your assistant has a home now.
Launch Claude Code in VS Code
You're done with Terminal. From now on, everything happens in VS Code. Let's open your assistant's folder and launch Claude Code.
VS Code looks complicated. It's not. It has a lot of panels, icons, and menus. Ignore all of it. The only thing you need is the Claude Code icon in the left sidebar. Everything else is for developers. You're not here for that.
- Open VS Code (the blue icon).
- Click File > Open Folder. A file browser window will pop up.
- In the file browser, look in the left sidebar for Documents (on Mac it's under "Favorites," on Windows it's under "This PC"). Click it. You should see your My AI Assistant folder inside. Click it, then click Open.
- Look at the left sidebar of VS Code. You'll see a column of small icons. Find the Claude Code icon (it looks like a small Claude logo). Click it.
- The first time, it'll ask you to log in. Follow the prompts to connect your Claude account.
When you see the Claude Code chat panel open in VS Code, you're in. You should see a text input where you can start talking to your assistant.
This is your home base now. Every time you want to talk to your assistant, just open VS Code, open this folder, and click the Claude Code icon. That's it.
You're almost there. Two more steps.
Add Your Brain File
Remember the brain file you built in Phase 1? Time to give it to your assistant.
Download your personalized brain file
Enter your email and we'll unlock your CLAUDE.md file for download.
You're in. Now let's get your brain file into VS Code. Choose whichever option feels easier:
Test Your Assistant
This is the moment. Let's see if it works.
- Open VS Code.
- Click File > Open Folder and open your My AI Assistant folder in Documents.
- Click the Claude Code icon in the left sidebar (it appeared when you installed the extension in Step 11).
-
In the Claude Code chat panel, paste this:
Hey, read your instructions and tell me what you know about me.
Your assistant should respond with everything from your brain file. Your name, your role, what you do, how you like to communicate.
You did it.
You just built your own AI assistant. It knows who you are, what you do, and how you work.
And here's the thing: it gets smarter every time you use it. The more you work together, the better it gets.
Welcome to the future of how you work.
What's Next?
Your assistant is live. Here are three ways to keep the momentum going.
Find out your AI skill level
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