Build Your First App with Claude Code (No Experience Needed) | Code with Beto

Anyone, even with zero coding experience, can, can build and ship a real mobile application using Claude Code. I demonstrate the exact professional workflow I use when starting new apps, so you get a solid foundation from the start.

We build a habit tracker app with React Native and Expo, and I guide you through installing Node.js, setting up your project, and running it on your phone with Expo Go. You’ll also see how to install agent skills to improve Claude’s code generation and UI building.

What's inside

People with zero coding experience are building real apps now
Installing Claude Code on your Mac or Windows machine
Creating a React Native app with Expo CLI
Using Expo Go to run your app on a physical device
Installing Node.js and verifying your setup
Setting up your project folder and opening it in an IDE
Running your app locally and scanning the QR code
Installing Expo agent skills to enhance Claude Code’s capabilities

People with zero coding experience are building real apps now

I start by addressing how people with no prior coding knowledge are already publishing apps on the App Store using tools like Claude Code. This isn’t a beginner-only shortcut; it’s the same process I use professionally to build mobile apps from scratch.

Whether you’re brand new or have some coding experience, this video gives you a practical, real-world workflow to get started building and shipping apps quickly. The goal is to empower you to create production-ready applications using modern tools.

Installing Claude Code on your Mac or Windows machine

To get started, you install Claude Code by running a simple curl command in your terminal. I recommend using Warp terminal on Mac or PowerShell on Windows, but any terminal works.

After installation, you can verify Claude is installed by running or to check the version. This confirms your environment is ready to use Claude’s commands for app development.

Creating a React Native app with Expo CLI

Instead of letting Claude generate the entire project, I create a new React Native app manually using Expo CLI with the command:

This approach saves tokens and ensures you start with the latest stable project setup. Expo lets you build cross-platform apps for iOS and Android without installing heavy native toolchains like Xcode or Android Studio.

Using Expo Go to run your app on a physical device

Expo Go is a free app available on the App Store and Play Store that lets you run your React Native project on your phone instantly. After starting the Expo server with , you scan the QR code with your phone’s camera to load the app live.

This workflow saves hours of setup and lets you see changes in real time as you develop your app.

Installing Node.js and verifying your setup

Node.js is required to run JavaScript code on your computer, which React Native and Expo rely on. I recommend installing the latest LTS (long-term support) version from the official Node.js website.

After installation, verify it by running in your terminal. This ensures your environment can run the necessary JavaScript tooling for mobile development.

Setting up your project folder and opening it in an IDE

I show how to navigate to your desired project folder using terminal commands like , then open the project in an IDE. I recommend VS Code or Cursor, with a preference for Cursor due to its integrated terminal and prompt features.

Using an IDE helps you explore the project files, understand the structure, and write code more efficiently. Even if you’re new, seeing the files and folders helps you get familiar with mobile app projects.

Running your app locally and scanning the QR code

Once your project is ready, run to launch the development server. This opens a QR code in your terminal or browser.

Scan the QR code with your phone’s camera to open the app in Expo Go. The default template loads, showing you a working React Native app you can start customizing.

Learning to run and stop the server manually is important, as these are common tasks in mobile development.

Installing Expo agent skills to enhance Claude Code’s capabilities

To improve Claude Code’s ability to generate better UI and follow best practices, I install Expo agent skills by running:

Then select the "build native UI" skill. These skills help Claude produce native UI patterns, animations, and routing that align with Expo’s standards.

Using skills makes Claude a more powerful assistant for building production-quality apps faster.

Resources

CourseReact Native course

Fundamentals through shipping: the concepts behind the prompts, with lifetime access.

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