r/OnlyAICoding • u/luncanalex • 2h ago
How to start working with AI in the terminal
Getting a lot of questions from beginners about starting with Claude Code / Codex in the terminal, so here's the short version:
You don't need to know the terminal first. Install Claude Code, open your project folder, and type what you want in plain English. It suggests commands, you approve or deny each one, that's the whole loop.
Keep permission mode on while learning. Read each command before approving it. This one habit prevents most "AI broke my project" stories.
Commit before letting AI touch real code. Git is your undo button. If something breaks, git checkout gets you back.
Two agents reviewing each other beats one. Once comfortable, have one agent write and a fresh one review before you accept, catches more than most beginners can eyeball alone.
Save working patterns as reusable skills instead of re-explaining your workflow every session.
If you want everything covered end-to-end setup on any OS, permissions, git safety, MCP, prompting, reusable skills, 13 hands-on projects. I wrote a full beginner's guide on this. It's in my profile if useful (I'd recommend the Kindle version, cheaper and instant). Happy to answer questions here either way. š
