The basicsChapter 1 of 2⏱ 8 min

Meet Claude.

You've heard about AI but don't know where to start. In 8 minutes you'll be set up and know what's safe to paste.

✓Claude account✓Profile set✓Safe-data rules
1

Open Claude

Go to claude.ai on your laptop, or get the Claude app on your phone.

iPhoneAndroidDesktopBrowser
9:41●●●
Claude
Get started
2

Sign up free

Use Google or your email. The free plan is enough to start.

The free plan has usage limits. If you hit one, take a break and come back later.
9:41●●●
Sign up
G Continue with Google
OR
Enter your email
Continue with email
3

Tell Claude who you are

Settings→Instructions for Claude

Paste this and change the part in [brackets]. Claude will remember it in every chat.

I'm a [2nd-year accounting diploma student / HR admin at a logistics company] in Malaysia. Explain things simply. Keep it short and use bullet points.
9:41●●●
Settings
GeneralAccountPrivacy
Instructions for Claude
I'm a 2nd-year accounting diploma student in Malaysia. Explain things simply. Keep it short and use bullet points.
4

Pick your privacy setting

Settings→Privacy

Find "Help improve our AI models". On or off is your call. Just know where it is.

9:41●●●
Settings
GeneralAccountPrivacy
Help improve our AI modelsAllow your chats to be used to train and improve Claude.
5

Say hi

Start a new chat and ask:

Based on my profile, what are 5 things you can help me with this week?
9:41●●●
≡Things to help with✎
Based on my profile, what are 5 things you can help me with this week?
Here are 5 ideas for this week:
  1. Turn lecture notes into a quiz
  2. Explain a tricky topic simply
  3. Plan your revision week
  4. Check your assignment structure
  5. Draft a polite email to a lecturer
+Reply to Claude…↑

Before you paste anything

Green. Yellow. Red.

✓

Green

Paste it.

Lecture notesGeneral emailsCaption ideas
!

Yellow

Hide names and numbers first.

Meeting minutesQuotationsSales data
✕

Red

Never paste.

IC numbersBank accountsSalariesMedical records
Check first

Claude can get facts, numbers and dates wrong. Double-check anything important. For work data, follow your company's policy and the PDPA.

Claude screens are illustrations. The app may look slightly different.