Sprint Reference

Build websites with AI

Universal rules

  1. 01When something goes wrong — copy the error, paste it into Claude, ask what it means.
  2. 02Two terminal tabs at all times — Tab 1 = Claude Code, Tab 2 = dev server.
  3. 03You are responsible, not Claude. Always review changes before they go live.
  4. 04Push and commit to GitHub after every task — every push is a restore point.

Build day

Day 1 — Setup

Install everything you need on your computer. You only do this once per computer — not per project.

One-time setup — do this once per computer

  1. 1

    Install Node.js

    Go to nodejs.org, download for your OS, run the installer.

  2. 2

    Install Homebrew (Mac only)

    Enter your Mac password when asked — you won't see it typing. Run the 3 echo/eval commands it gives you at the end.

  3. 3

    Install Xcode tools

    A pop-up will appear — click Install (not Get Xcode). If no pop-up appears, minimise all windows and look again.

  4. 4

    Install GitHub CLI

    Lets Claude Code push code to GitHub for you.

  5. 5

    Log in to GitHub

    Choose: GitHub.com → HTTPS → Login with web browser. Copy the code it gives you, press Enter, paste in browser.

  6. 6

    Install pnpm

    Package manager needed for Vercel.

  7. 7

    Set up pnpm (run both)

    Run both commands one after the other. Nothing will appear — that's normal.

  8. 8

    Install Vercel CLI

    If it asks about esbuild, run: pnpm approve-builds -g (press Space to select, Enter, then y)

  9. 9

    Log in to Vercel

    Follow the browser login.

  10. 10

    Install Claude Code

    Only install from the official Claude.ai site — scammers have run fake ads.

    Only install from claude.ai — verify the URL before running anything.

  11. 11

    Add Claude Code to PATH

    Only needed if terminal says 'command not found' after installing.

  12. 12

    Log in to Claude Code

    Run this in a regular terminal tab (not inside Claude Code). Use your Claude.ai account.

  13. 13

    Create your projects folder

    In Finder, create a folder — e.g. Documents/AI-Course/Claude/claude-test-sites. Don't use Dropbox.

Troubleshooting

Common errors and what they actually mean.

  • command not found: brew
    What:
    Homebrew isn't installed.
    Fix:
    Run the Homebrew install command from the one-time setup steps.
  • command not found: claude
    What:
    Claude Code isn't in your PATH.
    Fix:
    Run: echo 'export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.zshrc && source ~/.zshrc
  • command not found: pnpm
    What:
    pnpm isn't activated.
    Fix:
    Run: source ~/.zshrc then try again.
  • Not enough free disk space
    What:
    Your Mac doesn't have enough room.
    Fix:
    You need at least 15GB free. Check: Apple menu → About This Mac → Storage.
  • xcode-select error
    What:
    Xcode Command Line Tools missing.
    Fix:
    Run: xcode-select --install and click Install on the pop-up.
  • Invalid authentication credentials
    What:
    Claude Code has been logged out.
    Fix:
    Open a new terminal tab (not Claude Code) and run: claude auth login
  • Port 3000 is in use
    What:
    Something else is already using port 3000.
    Fix:
    Use whatever port it suggests — e.g. http://localhost:3001
  • no such file or directory: node_modules/.bin/next
    What:
    Dependencies aren't installed yet.
    Fix:
    Run: npm install --ignore-scripts then try node_modules/.bin/next dev again.
  • sh: next: command not found
    What:
    npm can't find Next.js.
    Fix:
    Use node_modules/.bin/next dev instead of npm run dev.
  • Site not updating in browser
    What:
    Browser is showing a cached version.
    Fix:
    Hard refresh with Cmd + Shift + R.
  • Moved folder and path not working
    What:
    Your cd command still points to the old location.
    Fix:
    Update your cd command to match the new folder path. Also see 'Moving a project folder' in the Reference section.