How to Use Claude: A Beginner's Guide to Anthropic's AI Assistant

The short version

Claude works best when you give it the background a new colleague would need. Say what you want, who it’s for and what good looks like, then improve the answer with follow-up messages.

Step by step

1. Sign up

Go to claude.ai, or install the Claude app for desktop or your phone. Sign up with your email or Google account. The Free plan covers everything in this guide.

2. Ask clearly

Type your request in the box and press Enter. Include the task, the background and the format:

I manage a dental office. Write a short text message reminding patients about tomorrow's appointment,
with a line on how to reschedule. Friendly, under 40 words.

3. Refine it

Keep the conversation going: “Make it warmer”, “Give me three versions”, “Now in Spanish”. Claude remembers everything earlier in the chat.

4. Give it your documents

Press + to attach files: PDFs, Word documents, spreadsheets, text files and images, up to 20 files per chat according to Anthropic’s Help Center. Then ask about them. See summarize a PDF with Claude.

5. Use Projects for ongoing work

A Project keeps related chats together with shared files and instructions, so you don’t repeat the background. Free accounts can create up to five. See use Claude Projects.

6. Let it make things with Artifacts

Ask for a document, a chart, a flowchart or a small interactive tool, and Claude can create it as an Artifact that opens beside the chat. See use Claude Artifacts.

Prompts to copy

I'm [who you are]. I need [what you want] for [who it's for].
Keep it [length / tone / format]. Ask me questions first if anything is unclear.

Here's my draft. Tell me the three biggest problems, then rewrite it:
[paste]

Mistakes to avoid

• Too little context. “Write a proposal” gets a template; your details get a proposal.
• Taking the first draft. Ask for changes; that’s where the quality comes from.
• Sharing what you shouldn’t. Don’t paste passwords, card numbers or other people’s private details. See keep your data private in Claude.
• Not checking facts. See fact-check Claude’s answers.

When not to use it

Don’t rely on Claude alone for medical, legal or financial decisions. Use it to understand, prepare and draft, then confirm with a professional or the original source.

Next: write better prompts for Claude.