Projects that make it stick
Reading teaches. Building locks it in. Pick a project that matches where you are in the course.
Add a CLI flag
Add a --version or --json flag to a small CLI and have Claude verify it by running the command.
Uses: Units 1–2
Codebase tour
Pick an open-source repo you've never seen. Use Explore and plan mode to write a one-page architecture guide.
Uses: Units 1–2
CLAUDE.md makeover
Run /init, then trim to under 50 high-signal lines plus path-scoped rules. Measure with /context.
Uses: Unit 3
Your first skill
Turn a task you repeat weekly (release notes, a migration, a report) into a skill with arguments and a script.
Uses: Unit 4
Reviewer subagent
Build a read-only reviewer with a strict report format, then catch a bug you planted.
Uses: Unit 5
Internal docs MCP server
Build a Python MCP server for your notes or docs, test it in the Inspector and use it from Claude Code.
Uses: Unit 6
Guard rails
Add format, protected-file and Stop-gate hooks to a repo. Prove each one with a test prompt.
Uses: Unit 7
Nightly maintainer
A scheduled or GitHub Actions job that updates dependencies and opens a tested PR.
Uses: Unit 8
Team plugin
Package your best skill, subagent and hooks into a plugin and a marketplace your team can install.
Uses: Unit 9