Why didn't Claude Code save any files?
The single biggest shift from browser AI to CLI AI: Claude Code won't write files unless you tell it to. Here's what to add to your prompt, with a real example from the forums.
Is it safe to run AI tools on my machine?
How the permission system works, four rules that keep the blast radius small, and what to do if something ever feels off. Drawn from Joe's own answer in the Questions for the instructor forum.
I'm on a Mac. Does anything change?
Almost nothing. The only two things you ever type into Terminal are cd and claude. Everything else you see Joe do in the video is Claude running the commands inside the session, not him typing them.
My claude command isn't working. What now?
Paste the error into the web version of claude.ai, gemini.google.com, or chatgpt.com and let the model walk you through the fix. The course's standard debugging approach for any tool error, explained.
Do I need GitHub for this course?
Strongly recommended but not strictly required. What GitHub actually is in journalism terms, why Joe recommends it, and what to do if you've bounced off it before.
What is an IDE?
VS Code, Cursor, Windsurf, AntiGravity — the names Joe drops in Module 1 demystified. When you actually need an IDE for this course and when you don't.
Which Claude subscription do I need?
Pro, not Max. $20 per month is enough for the entire course. What each tier gets you and when you'd actually consider upgrading.
Claude Code isn't available where I live. What now?
If Claude Code, Gemini CLI, and Codex CLI are blocked in your region, GitHub Copilot CLI is a fine alternative. Joe uses it himself and mentions it in the course.
Do I need Firecrawl for this course?
No. But Joe uses it in the Module 1 research demo. Here's what it actually is, why he uses it, and when you'd consider adding it.
Does the CLI reduce hallucinations?
No. The terminal doesn't change how the model reasons — it only changes what the model can reach. What the course actually teaches about verification, and what still has to come from you.
ALSO USEFUL
The concepts pages cover the underlying ideas — context files, hooks, subagents, CLI basics — in more depth than the FAQs do. Start there if a specific FAQ answer leaves you wanting more background.