Build Beautifully

Session 5 Companion  ·  Your Capstone  ·  Keep this open. Refer back anytime.

buildbeautifully.lovable.app
💬 If you get lost or fall behind — just ask Claude directly.

Claude always knows where you are. These three phrases get you back on track instantly:

"Claude, where am I?" "Catch me up." "Explain that in plain English."

TODAY'S MAP

CommandWhat you're doing~Time
/introductionYou made it — the whole series is done 💖 Resources + how to stay connected~3 min
/refresherThe greatest hits from every week, with a quick "how" for each~4 min
/capstone-instructionsThe rules of your build — read these before you start~5 min
/final-projectYour 90 minutes: plan → build → iterate (twice), then ship & present~90 min
/conclusionYour certificate, your portfolio, and what's next~3 min

HOW TO START

Unzip your workshop-5-capstone folder, then launch Claude Code inside that folder — that's where today's commands live. Then your instructor will call each command in order. You can work in the terminal or in VS Code, whichever you prefer.

💻 In the terminal

Mac: right-click the folder → "New Terminal at Folder." Windows: right-click inside the folder → "Open in Terminal." Then type:

claude

Or cd into the folder first, then run claude. Drag the folder into the terminal after cd  to auto-fill the path.

🟦 In VS Code

File → Open Folder → your workshop-5-capstone folder. Open the Claude panel (the spark icon), then type /introduction.

VS Code has a built-in terminal (Ctrl + backtick) — you never need a second window.

You don't need a CLAUDE.md yet — you'll create one for your project during /final-project, right after your plan is approved. That's a habit worth keeping for every project from now on.


COMMAND-BY-COMMAND REFERENCE

Command 1
You Finished the Series 💖
/introduction
Command 2
The Refresher
/refresher
Command 3
The Rules
/capstone-instructions
Command 4
Your 90 Minutes
/final-project
Command 5
Certificate & What's Next
/conclusion
Remember
The One Rule

CAPSTONE CHEAT SHEET — HOW TO BUILD EACH THING

Your project needs at least two of these five. You already know how to do every one — here's the one-liner for each.

ThingWhat it isHow to add it
APIOne program asking another to do something.Sign up (e.g. fal.ai for audio/images), grab your key, ask me to use it — you paste the key into the file, never the chat.
AgentA helper with one job and its own instructions.Ask me: "make me an agent that [does the thing]."
SkillA saved set of instructions for something you do often.Ask me: "create a skill for [task]."
PluginAn installable bundle (skills, tools, even MCPs together).Add with /plugin from a marketplace, or just ask me to set it up.
MCPA one-line install that gives me a new ability (e.g. Playwright = eyes in a browser).Tell me the ability you want; I'll hand you the one line to paste in your terminal.

Work like a pro (the WS4 habits)

Save your contextType /context to check how full I am. Around 40%+: ask me to "summarize what we've built and add decisions to my CLAUDE.md," then type /clear, and I re-read it. Write it down → clear → carry on. Your files are safe.
Pick your modelType /model. Opus for complex, heavy thinking · Sonnet for lighter work and to stretch Pro-plan usage (lean on agents too) · Fable for stubborn bugs.
Mind your modePlan (think first) · Edit-with-permissions (I ask before each step — your default today) · Auto (I just go). Don't get stuck in auto by accident.
Debug with FableHit a bug you can't shake? Switch to Fable (/model), ask it to look over your code and catch bugs. You approve every change.

Before you present — the checklist

At least 2 of {API, agent, skill, plugin, MCP}
Plan → Build → Iterate, twice
Feedback from a TA / another woman in round 2's iterate
Created a CLAUDE.md for your project
Pushed to GitHub + deployed on Vercel
Presented your build to the room
Certificate: submitted Vercel link + test
Updated My AI Builds + added to LinkedIn

COMMON TROUBLESHOOTING

What's happeningFix
The slash commands (/introduction, etc.) don't show upClaude Code isn't in the right folder. Launch it inside your unzipped workshop-5-capstone folder (or open that folder in VS Code), then try again.
Claude feels forgetful or confused mid-buildType /context. Over ~40%? Ask it to summarize what you've built into your CLAUDE.md, then /clear and it re-reads. Your files are safe — only the conversation resets.
A bug you can't shakeSwitch to Fable (/model) and ask it to look over your code and catch bugs. Read what it finds and approve each change yourself.
Running low on usage (Pro plan)Switch to Sonnet (/model) and lean on agents for the heavy lifting to stretch it further.
Deploy trouble on VercelConnect your GitHub repo to Vercel — same flow as your Workshop 2 game. Ask Claude for the exact steps for your project.
Claude asks for an API keyNever paste a key into the chat. Put it in the file yourself. If you already pasted one, delete that message and rotate the key.

GLOSSARY

WordPlain English
APIOne program asking another to do something (e.g. generate audio).
AgentA helper with one job and its own instructions.
SkillSaved instructions Claude uses for a task you repeat.
PluginA bundle of skills, commands, and MCPs installed together.
MCPA one-line install that gives Claude a new ability.
Gauntlet LoopBuilders plus separate critics, run until the work is genuinely good.
Plan modeClaude thinks and proposes but can't touch files. Toggle with Shift+Tab.
CLAUDE.mdYour project's memory file — Claude reads it first every time.
Context windowHow much of your conversation Claude can hold. Check with /context.
Deploy / VercelPutting your app live on the internet at a real link.
GitHubCloud storage for your code — a folder in the sky that saves every version.