Claude is the most powerful AI tool for work right now. This 2026 guide covers all features and how to use them to transform how you work. With steps and screenshots.
Daria, this was awesome! I've read so many guides about Claude this week and watched so many YouTube tutorials, and this is right there at the top. Thank you!
Thanks for the guide! I just commited to try Claude, and I’m pretty much amazed. In my first project using Claude I could set up a Minecraft server and run simulations. There’s a video of it here: https://substack.com/@scientistmom1/note/c-227641979
this is an exciting yet still daunting article! Very clearly explained Daria, thank you. This might be a strange question but - where should I go or who should I ask to 'find out' whether Claude can assist me with a certain detailed task/workflow...Claude Chat? Use the 'Setting Up Projects' prompt?
Hey Brett! Not a strange question at all, you can just ask Claude in chat, that works. Though it might lead you to some paths that don't work (happens sometimes).
If you’ve installed Amplifiers, there’s a prompt in there called “Which Claude tool should I use?” and you can use it by asking Claude something like:
“Use the Which Claude Tool Should I Use amplifier. Here’s what I’m trying to do: [describe your workflow]”
I also broke this down here if you want the bigger picture of when to use Projects vs Cowork vs Skills:
One use case missing from most Claude guides: upload your entire client engagement letter or regulatory document and ask 'what am I missing?' Claude's careful reasoning catches gaps that humans skim over. For CPAs reviewing complex agreements, this is genuinely better than a human first pass.
I can't believe I haven't twigged to your 'stack sooner -- but so glad I've found it *now*! This really is an awesome post, and I'm looking forward to a deep dive into it and your earlier work here. Thanks so much for sharing it!
If you're not already familiar with it, I highly, highly recommend Hana Lee Goldin's "Card Catalog" Substack, here:
She's a highly qualified reference librarian/information-retrieval specialist (MLIS), with particular emphasis on (a) using AI effectively and (b) "thinking like a Librarian" -- that is, how to frame and re-frame your questions, how to spot gaps in your own thinking as well as in the retrieved results, and so on. Can't recommend her enough -- not least because (on the evidence of this post of yours) she's just as generous and thorough as you are. Get thee hence!
I've been restricting myself to Claude (vs. other AIs, at least for non-image processing); my particular interest is in using it as a "collaborator" in creative/artsy work, fiction in my case. My series exploring the possibilities, and summarizing my experiences so far, is called "Imagination Machines"; it's only a couple-three weeks old but obviously -- like yours -- my own mind is being blown during every interaction.
The 'hard to put it all in one place' problem is real. I've been writing and building with Claude for months and the surface area keeps expanding.
What changed things for me: Claude Code plus CLAUDE.md files. You bake in project context once - the agent knows the codebase, the team norms, what to never touch. Every session starts informed instead of cold.
The 1M context is the quieter breakthrough. I've been running nightshift automation sessions that used to require mid-session summaries. Now the whole project fits.
Agree with you on the http://claude.md file. I don’t spend as much time as you do in Claude Code, though I started using it almost daily for automation and admin tasks too.
Daria, this was awesome! I've read so many guides about Claude this week and watched so many YouTube tutorials, and this is right there at the top. Thank you!
Ahh, that means so much!
Thanks for the guide! I just commited to try Claude, and I’m pretty much amazed. In my first project using Claude I could set up a Minecraft server and run simulations. There’s a video of it here: https://substack.com/@scientistmom1/note/c-227641979
What a cool first project!
this is an exciting yet still daunting article! Very clearly explained Daria, thank you. This might be a strange question but - where should I go or who should I ask to 'find out' whether Claude can assist me with a certain detailed task/workflow...Claude Chat? Use the 'Setting Up Projects' prompt?
Hey Brett! Not a strange question at all, you can just ask Claude in chat, that works. Though it might lead you to some paths that don't work (happens sometimes).
If you’ve installed Amplifiers, there’s a prompt in there called “Which Claude tool should I use?” and you can use it by asking Claude something like:
“Use the Which Claude Tool Should I Use amplifier. Here’s what I’m trying to do: [describe your workflow]”
I also broke this down here if you want the bigger picture of when to use Projects vs Cowork vs Skills:
https://aiblewmymind.substack.com/p/claude-projects-vs-cowork-vs-skills
And if you get stuck, DM me, happy to point you in the right direction.
One use case missing from most Claude guides: upload your entire client engagement letter or regulatory document and ask 'what am I missing?' Claude's careful reasoning catches gaps that humans skim over. For CPAs reviewing complex agreements, this is genuinely better than a human first pass.
Fantastic guide. Loved it. Thanks for sharing all the information and steps in such a detailed manner. Really helpful
Always happy to help, Rupesh. Glad you found it useful.
Thanks!
I can't believe I haven't twigged to your 'stack sooner -- but so glad I've found it *now*! This really is an awesome post, and I'm looking forward to a deep dive into it and your earlier work here. Thanks so much for sharing it!
If you're not already familiar with it, I highly, highly recommend Hana Lee Goldin's "Card Catalog" Substack, here:
https://cardcatalogforlife.substack.com/
She's a highly qualified reference librarian/information-retrieval specialist (MLIS), with particular emphasis on (a) using AI effectively and (b) "thinking like a Librarian" -- that is, how to frame and re-frame your questions, how to spot gaps in your own thinking as well as in the retrieved results, and so on. Can't recommend her enough -- not least because (on the evidence of this post of yours) she's just as generous and thorough as you are. Get thee hence!
I've been restricting myself to Claude (vs. other AIs, at least for non-image processing); my particular interest is in using it as a "collaborator" in creative/artsy work, fiction in my case. My series exploring the possibilities, and summarizing my experiences so far, is called "Imagination Machines"; it's only a couple-three weeks old but obviously -- like yours -- my own mind is being blown during every interaction.
https://johnesimpson.substack.com/s/imagination-machines
Hi John, and welcome! Claude is really mind-blowing, 100% with you on this.
And thank you for the recommendation! the thinking like a librarian angle sounds really interesting.
The 'hard to put it all in one place' problem is real. I've been writing and building with Claude for months and the surface area keeps expanding.
What changed things for me: Claude Code plus CLAUDE.md files. You bake in project context once - the agent knows the codebase, the team norms, what to never touch. Every session starts informed instead of cold.
The 1M context is the quieter breakthrough. I've been running nightshift automation sessions that used to require mid-session summaries. Now the whole project fits.
Curious what you find stickiest for daily use?
Agree with you on the http://claude.md file. I don’t spend as much time as you do in Claude Code, though I started using it almost daily for automation and admin tasks too.
This is great. Thanks for putting this together. I always learn something new 🙂
really glad to hear that!
Thanks for this, Daria! Next week is Level 2 for me! Appreciate you sharing all of this
In such a great manner, my brain was fried 🤯 by the wealth of information out there!
Knowing you went through the steps, that's the best compliment! Can't wait to hear how Level 2 goes for you and how your work upgrades after that.
Daria, Thank you. You have put all the relevant material and instructions in one place. Very useful for beginners like me. Best regards/ds
Thank you, Seetharam. I hope it helps you get set up & I’m looking forward to hearing how your research project in Cowork went.