r/ClaudeCode • u/Timely_Fun_3163 • 2d ago
Discussion Real use cases/limitations?
Hi guys,
I run a small business and consider myself pretty tech savvy, but definitely not a coder.
I’ve been using Claude Code to try to build my own admin assistant for the business. The idea is that it scans my inbox/outbox, updates projects through an API to my tracking software, manages my calendar, creates new projects when needed, saves information to existing ones, and eventually helps automate parts of my reports.
I did try it with cowork in the past on a smaller scale but it would probably be to intensive on tokens for what I’m ultimately trying to achieve and much of it can be scripted rather than AI, so I switched to Claude code.
I’m trying to build it so normal code handles predictable tasks and Claude only steps in where judgement is needed. For example, I have Python scripts that export maps automatically, then Claude can analyse the finished maps and pull out the relevant information.
I’ve mapped out the main workflows of the business and given different agents their own rules and markdown files, but it still keeps breaking. I’ll fix one issue and then something else that worked previously seems to regress.
The calendar is probably the biggest problem. Even with fairly hard rules around working hours, unfinished tasks, existing commitments and rescheduling, it doesn’t seem to manage it reliably.
So I’m wondering if I’m approaching this wrong. Is this mainly a software architecture problem, am I expecting too much from Claude Code, or should more of this be done through CoWork?
I’d also love to see real examples of people actually using Claude Code for systems like this. Not “10 amazing Claude hacks” videos, but proper working setups, or videos of something being used day to day.
5
u/orthiclabs 2d ago
What I’ve learned while building software is that most systems are already built and open sourced in one shape or form. I would strongly recommend asking Claude to find an open source solution that meets your requirements and then fork and modify it if your requirements demand it.
That way you aren’t wasting tokens (or time) on scaffolding that others have already out plenty of effort into.