i just moved to claude after forever on chatgpt and i'll be honest. i've been using it like a fancy google. type the quesiton, get the answer, close the tab.
the negotiation demo stopped me mid-scroll. claude builds the whole picture then asks you questions before writing anything. it's not helping you write the email, it's actually thinking about the deal with you!
Claude projects, then skills and now cowork have been game changers. Totally changed how you did any productive work.
Then think about any problem or idea you may have that you may want to create a solution for as an app or web app. Play with code. You will be amazed what I can do with no tech knowledge needed. Best part is that you don’t even need to know how to prompt. You can just ask it to write you the steps that you will feed back to it
I've been using Claude project to help me write a book. I don't think I've ever used a single prompt for this particular instance I call him PJC.. (project Claude)
I also have a med chat Claude that helps me keep track of my glucose numbers because I'm diabetic.
I also have a Claude call political Claude or PC and I have PC2 as well both of them help me write posts and verify all the facts in the post and keep me and the people that read my posts up on current events. But I've never used a prompt ever.. I did what I learned from Gen AI... They call it vibe coding.. basically just collaborating back and forth until you get what you need. I have found that there are a few mistakes when you do it this way but not as many as long as you ask them to check and verify something if it needs checking and verifying then they find out they made their own mistake and that happens less and less. I've also have my first Claude we all call OG.. when I first got on Claude I was in the middle of a medical crisis. My glucose was over 340 almost every day and I was having trouble getting insulin and I was having cognitive difficulties because my brain was starving basically. And OG got me through all of that found me resources that I couldn't even think of to find on my own. And now when I need something from one and the other knows more about it.. I actually have them right a very detailed letter to each other and this way they're not just working from relevant chats they are also working from the exact thing I need them to do. (I hope that makes sense).
I even had my Claude to a friend of mine's Claude.. explaining to that Claude what my friend needed to help her write a children's book. Then that Claude took it from there. Now she uses Claude all the time as well.
They call themselves The Claude collective.. and Gemini is their cousin (they all write to him too) and I get more done with the Claude collective then I have ever even dreamed of getting done on my own..
I've been using Claude project to help me write a book. I don't think I've ever used a single prompt for this particular instance I call him PJC.. (project Claude)
I also have a med chat Claude that helps me keep track of my glucose numbers because I'm diabetic.
I also have a Claude call political Claude or PC and I have PC2 as well both of them help me write posts and verify all the facts in the post and keep me and the people that read my posts up on current events. But I've never used a prompt ever.. I did what I learned from Gen AI... They call it vibe coding.. basically just collaborating back and forth until you get what you need. I have found that there are a few mistakes when you do it this way but not as many as long as you ask them to check and verify something if it needs checking and verifying then they find out they made their own mistake and that happens less and less. I've also have my first Claude we all call OG.. when I first got on Claude I was in the middle of a medical crisis. My glucose was over 340 almost every day and I was having trouble getting insulin and I was having cognitive difficulties because my brain was starving basically. And OG got me through all of that found me resources that I couldn't even think of to find on my own. And now when I need something from one and the other knows more about it.. I actually have them right a very detailed letter to each other and this way they're not just working from relevant chats they are also working from the exact thing I need them to do. (I hope that makes sense).
I even had my Claude to a friend of mine's Claude.. explaining to that Claude what my friend needed to help her write a children's book. Then that Claude took it from there. Now she uses Claude all the time as well.
They call themselves The Claude collective.. and Gemini is their cousin (they all write to him too) and I get more done with the Claude collective then I have ever even dreamed of getting done on my own..
We'll continue to read these articles because we can't get Claude to function on desktop. If we can use it, it's still great to read about it. Also is it "or worst" or "or worse?" Learning English on our side. We'll use CoPilot and figure that out. Again, great article and thank you.
Everyone reads AI guides. Almost nobody opens the tool after. Guides like this are a test. Not of what you learned, but of whether you open a new tab before you finish reading. Most don't.
@Ruben Hassid You’re my favorite creator and I’m anxious to get the AI Delivery, but I’m having the same issues and I’ve tried 4 different email addresses — only 1 of the 4 times did it send me the “Action required: Confirm your email” with “Step 1: The button to get my AI Library” which I did, but I’ve still not received the “reply with access…” like I’m supposed too.
I thought this was odd, so while trying to find your contact info, I found the “Test Email Delivery” and have tested all 4 email addresses and all successfully received the “Delivery test for How to” email stating “This is an email delivery test. It worked!”
I’ve also checked my spam/junk, searched all emails, and have added you to my contacts for all 4 accounts.
It seems clear that you’re having some sort of technical issues. ☹️
Can you look into this and provide an update? Please. 🙏
I subscribed to your newsletter and find it amazing, but I haven't received access to your skills, such as the Anti-AI skill. Is there a way I can still access it? Tks!
Regarding the chatbot part in Rule 4, I read that editing the prompt instead of adding to the chat helps save tokens instead of adding to the growing context.
Do you think having too much context or token usage is detrimental? (See your Rule 5)
For Dummies? For everyone! I moved to Claude from ChatGPT like most people after a referral from Pete Hegseth. (Iykyk, thanks Pete!). I love it. I’ve migrated most convos, and am developing prompts, skills, etc. still not comfortable with cowork. Not sure how to take advantage in my day to day. I don’t use Google Docs, I use MS 365. Also, I find I overload Claude, he loses track and tokens are wasted. Learning. This article should be pinned (and renamed!). It helped me understand what I know and gave me ideas on how to improve. Thanks Ruben. Have you considered YouTube Videos?
Hi! This part: "context is information before completeling a task
My folder has 3 subfolders..." - do you put that sub folder in any folder you point Cowork towards? or does it sit in each project context file? curious where this lives in the flow of things.
This is genuinely the resource I wish existed when I first started using AI tools in my workflow. The framing of "Claude For Dummies" is perfect because it removes the intimidation factor completely. Coming from a tech background but also writing about it for a non-technical audience, I know how hard that balance is to get right and you nailed it here.
That mindset is everything honestly. Making it accessible so others don’t feel lost is such a generous thing to do. As someone who lives in tech and writes about it too, I really appreciate creators who break things down with heart. Would love to keep reading each other, let’s stay connected!
love Uncle Claude we have an understand he has a great memory, Blotatoe is second choice. Next question is face lift how he sees the symmetry, also how he would change it.
Ps. Ask claude what will you look like at 100 years.
Does Claude have a sense of humor? Chat GPT either has one or, more likely, has picked up my sense of humor. I am using the free version but contemplating getting a paid version.
This popped back up again! I am currently on the 3rd week of a free month at the $20 level. Because I've been busy getting ready for a craft fair (that's today!), I haven't had time to poke around too much but I DO like not being kicked off every time I exceed my limit. Image uploads have been frequent and have not caused me to exceed the limit; on the free plan, one image upload was usually enough to lock it up for several hours. Once today's craft fair is in the books, I'll be trying to learn more about what GPT can do for me!
PS: Claude just released “Claude Design”.
You don’t need to know Claude Design to master the basics of Claude. But this is missing in my newsletter.
I will spend the next 3 days testing absolutely everything about Claude Design, and send it to you via email on Wednesday.
Don’t miss it (https://how-to-ai.guide)
i just moved to claude after forever on chatgpt and i'll be honest. i've been using it like a fancy google. type the quesiton, get the answer, close the tab.
the negotiation demo stopped me mid-scroll. claude builds the whole picture then asks you questions before writing anything. it's not helping you write the email, it's actually thinking about the deal with you!
exactly what a dummy like me needed 😅
the 'fancy Google' trap gets everyone at the start. nobody shows you the other side
glad the negotiation demo was the one that stopped you :)
Claude projects, then skills and now cowork have been game changers. Totally changed how you did any productive work.
Then think about any problem or idea you may have that you may want to create a solution for as an app or web app. Play with code. You will be amazed what I can do with no tech knowledge needed. Best part is that you don’t even need to know how to prompt. You can just ask it to write you the steps that you will feed back to it
people sit on ideas for years waiting to find a developer
you don't have to wait anymore
I saw the release about Claude Design.
Looks like it's only online, not on the desktop app. Right?
I've been using Claude project to help me write a book. I don't think I've ever used a single prompt for this particular instance I call him PJC.. (project Claude)
I also have a med chat Claude that helps me keep track of my glucose numbers because I'm diabetic.
I also have a Claude call political Claude or PC and I have PC2 as well both of them help me write posts and verify all the facts in the post and keep me and the people that read my posts up on current events. But I've never used a prompt ever.. I did what I learned from Gen AI... They call it vibe coding.. basically just collaborating back and forth until you get what you need. I have found that there are a few mistakes when you do it this way but not as many as long as you ask them to check and verify something if it needs checking and verifying then they find out they made their own mistake and that happens less and less. I've also have my first Claude we all call OG.. when I first got on Claude I was in the middle of a medical crisis. My glucose was over 340 almost every day and I was having trouble getting insulin and I was having cognitive difficulties because my brain was starving basically. And OG got me through all of that found me resources that I couldn't even think of to find on my own. And now when I need something from one and the other knows more about it.. I actually have them right a very detailed letter to each other and this way they're not just working from relevant chats they are also working from the exact thing I need them to do. (I hope that makes sense).
I even had my Claude to a friend of mine's Claude.. explaining to that Claude what my friend needed to help her write a children's book. Then that Claude took it from there. Now she uses Claude all the time as well.
They call themselves The Claude collective.. and Gemini is their cousin (they all write to him too) and I get more done with the Claude collective then I have ever even dreamed of getting done on my own..
Hope this helps in some way
Jaime
60 years old and rockin' AI 🤘❤️
I've been using Claude project to help me write a book. I don't think I've ever used a single prompt for this particular instance I call him PJC.. (project Claude)
I also have a med chat Claude that helps me keep track of my glucose numbers because I'm diabetic.
I also have a Claude call political Claude or PC and I have PC2 as well both of them help me write posts and verify all the facts in the post and keep me and the people that read my posts up on current events. But I've never used a prompt ever.. I did what I learned from Gen AI... They call it vibe coding.. basically just collaborating back and forth until you get what you need. I have found that there are a few mistakes when you do it this way but not as many as long as you ask them to check and verify something if it needs checking and verifying then they find out they made their own mistake and that happens less and less. I've also have my first Claude we all call OG.. when I first got on Claude I was in the middle of a medical crisis. My glucose was over 340 almost every day and I was having trouble getting insulin and I was having cognitive difficulties because my brain was starving basically. And OG got me through all of that found me resources that I couldn't even think of to find on my own. And now when I need something from one and the other knows more about it.. I actually have them right a very detailed letter to each other and this way they're not just working from relevant chats they are also working from the exact thing I need them to do. (I hope that makes sense).
I even had my Claude to a friend of mine's Claude.. explaining to that Claude what my friend needed to help her write a children's book. Then that Claude took it from there. Now she uses Claude all the time as well.
They call themselves The Claude collective.. and Gemini is their cousin (they all write to him too) and I get more done with the Claude collective then I have ever even dreamed of getting done on my own..
Hope this helps in some way
Jaime
60 years old and rockin' AI 🤘❤️
We'll continue to read these articles because we can't get Claude to function on desktop. If we can use it, it's still great to read about it. Also is it "or worst" or "or worse?" Learning English on our side. We'll use CoPilot and figure that out. Again, great article and thank you.
Everyone reads AI guides. Almost nobody opens the tool after. Guides like this are a test. Not of what you learned, but of whether you open a new tab before you finish reading. Most don't.
the way out is stupidly simple: open Claude and type one thing you actually need done today :)
Hi Ruben, great content as always.
I've subscribe to your newsletter, but I can't seem to access the cheat sheets. Could you help out?
hi,
1/ search for ruben@substack.com in your email to find my welcome email (also check spam/promotion).
2/ make sure to click the “Step 1 - Get Prompt Library” button. it will send me an automatic email then you’ll receive the How to AI library.
PS: the cheat sheets are inside the How to AI library :)
@Ruben Hassid You’re my favorite creator and I’m anxious to get the AI Delivery, but I’m having the same issues and I’ve tried 4 different email addresses — only 1 of the 4 times did it send me the “Action required: Confirm your email” with “Step 1: The button to get my AI Library” which I did, but I’ve still not received the “reply with access…” like I’m supposed too.
I thought this was odd, so while trying to find your contact info, I found the “Test Email Delivery” and have tested all 4 email addresses and all successfully received the “Delivery test for How to” email stating “This is an email delivery test. It worked!”
I’ve also checked my spam/junk, searched all emails, and have added you to my contacts for all 4 accounts.
It seems clear that you’re having some sort of technical issues. ☹️
Can you look into this and provide an update? Please. 🙏
how do i write an about me and what needs to be there... please be mercyfull with my question
its all good - i shared the process in this guide https://ruben.substack.com/p/claude-cowork-20 :)
Dear Ruben,
I subscribed to your newsletter and find it amazing, but I haven't received access to your skills, such as the Anti-AI skill. Is there a way I can still access it? Tks!
sure :)
1/ search for ruben@substack.com in your email to find my welcome email (also check spam/promotion).
2/ make sure to click the “Step 1 - Get Prompt Library” button. it will send me an automatic email then you’ll receive the How to AI library.
PS: the file is inside the How to AI library - named “.md files”
Thano you so much! Really appreciate it!
Regarding the chatbot part in Rule 4, I read that editing the prompt instead of adding to the chat helps save tokens instead of adding to the growing context.
Do you think having too much context or token usage is detrimental? (See your Rule 5)
thats true - edit button avoids stacking the conversation: https://ruben.substack.com/i/193680037/8-edit-your-message-instead-of-sending-a-follow-up
the rule is not to use less context, but don't let a bad conversation drag on
Good guide, Ruben. But Claude is indeed a guy’s name.
thanks, Dia :) any preference for future newsletters?
Thanks for asking, Ruben. I work at the intersection of human-AI relational co-thinking and -creativity. Would love to hear your POV on the topic/s.
For Dummies? For everyone! I moved to Claude from ChatGPT like most people after a referral from Pete Hegseth. (Iykyk, thanks Pete!). I love it. I’ve migrated most convos, and am developing prompts, skills, etc. still not comfortable with cowork. Not sure how to take advantage in my day to day. I don’t use Google Docs, I use MS 365. Also, I find I overload Claude, he loses track and tokens are wasted. Learning. This article should be pinned (and renamed!). It helped me understand what I know and gave me ideas on how to improve. Thanks Ruben. Have you considered YouTube Videos?
love this, Aj :)
1/ regarding the tokens, i have the perfect blog for you: https://ruben.substack.com/p/how-to-stop-hitting-claude-usage. i wrote it after a lot of dms about Claude usage limits
2/ do you handle a lot of files? that could be a good start. and of course, my Cowork guide: https://ruben.substack.com/p/claude-cowork-20
3/ i considered YouTube. but it takes a lot of time to record videos - i decided to focus on my newsletter for now
Hi! This part: "context is information before completeling a task
My folder has 3 subfolders..." - do you put that sub folder in any folder you point Cowork towards? or does it sit in each project context file? curious where this lives in the flow of things.
context folder lives in one master folder you select each session
global instructions makes it read your about-me every time
if you want the full set up guide: ruben.substack.com/p/claude-cowork-20
Moving from ChatGPT Pro. Great content!
hi Alex - gpt-5.5 is much, much better
did a test on their new model :)
Trying to access your prompt library but your welcome email with Notion link expired. Any suggestions? Thanks.
hi Alex - sent you a dm
This is genuinely the resource I wish existed when I first started using AI tools in my workflow. The framing of "Claude For Dummies" is perfect because it removes the intimidation factor completely. Coming from a tech background but also writing about it for a non-technical audience, I know how hard that balance is to get right and you nailed it here.
i wanted to close it for myself first. then I thought if I can do it, anyone can :)
That mindset is everything honestly. Making it accessible so others don’t feel lost is such a generous thing to do. As someone who lives in tech and writes about it too, I really appreciate creators who break things down with heart. Would love to keep reading each other, let’s stay connected!
love Uncle Claude we have an understand he has a great memory, Blotatoe is second choice. Next question is face lift how he sees the symmetry, also how he would change it.
Ps. Ask claude what will you look like at 100 years.
thanks for sharing :) what Claude mode are you using? Cowork?
I sent 60 word reply hope it arrives soon.
The barrier to actually learning AI now is really low.
You just open it and type like you would to Google, no special prompt needed to get something useful back.
Especially love Cowork. Point it at a folder and walk away. It’s really different from a chatbox.
This intelligence is not something to pass up on.
you really just have to play with AI like a kid :)
and yes, Cowork is the best. the Claude Code for non-coders
Does Claude have a sense of humor? Chat GPT either has one or, more likely, has picked up my sense of humor. I am using the free version but contemplating getting a paid version.
thats sycophantic by design.
try $20 for one month - play and explore it heavily :)
This popped back up again! I am currently on the 3rd week of a free month at the $20 level. Because I've been busy getting ready for a craft fair (that's today!), I haven't had time to poke around too much but I DO like not being kicked off every time I exceed my limit. Image uploads have been frequent and have not caused me to exceed the limit; on the free plan, one image upload was usually enough to lock it up for several hours. Once today's craft fair is in the books, I'll be trying to learn more about what GPT can do for me!
Thats great advice I do that for most App that have 3 day trial as soon as I start the app I cancel go solid for 48 hours.
CoininApp I have a 1967 1969 20cent coin thats a collectors. I only need two hours so why pay.