Here are 7 simple Claude Code prompts to get you started:
- “Look at [function name] and clean it up so it’s easier to read and follow. Then explain in plain English what each change does, why it makes the code better, and what was wrong with the original version before.”
- “I’m getting [error message] in [file]. Walk me through exactly what’s causing it, fix the problem for me, and then explain it in simple terms so that I can recognize and solve this same kind of issue on my own next time.”
- “Go through [file] and add clear, helpful comments explaining what each part does. Write them simply enough that a complete beginner could read along, follow the logic, and understand how all the different pieces connect and work together.”
- “Write a few basic tests for [function name] that check it works the way it should. Then explain in plain words what each test is actually checking for, why that matters, and what would go wrong if that test ever failed.”
- “Take [script] and rewrite it in [language], keeping it simple and easy to read. Then point out anything that behaves differently between the two languages, so I understand the changes and don’t get caught out by them later on.”
- “Read through [file] and explain what the code does step by step, like you’re patiently teaching someone who is seeing this kind of code for the very first time and wants to truly understand how it works.”
- “Help me build a simple [feature] from scratch. Walk me through each step in order, and explain the choices you make along the way, so that I actually learn something and could do it again myself next time.”
The cameraman always wins.
The real question for 2026 isn’t whether to use AI – it’s how fast you can learn to run alongside it.
