1.2: File Exploration & Visual Workspace

• Time to Complete: 15 minutes

Interactive lesson: Run /start-1-2 in Claude Code

Overview

Set up a visual workspace to see your project files in real-time alongside Claude Code for a seamless split-screen workflow.

Key takeaway: A visual workspace lets you watch files appear and update as Claude works.

Why Visualization Matters

Claude’s chat window doesn’t show you your files. You ask Claude to create documents, but you can’t see what’s happening.

The solution: Open a visual editor alongside Claude. Now you can:

• Watch files appear as Claude creates them
• Read documents while Claude is working
• Verify everything is organized correctly
• Always know exactly what’s happening

This transforms Claude Code from a mysterious black box into a transparent tool you can watch and verify in real-time.

Choose Your Tool

Obsidian

Best for: Users who want a standalone note-taking app

Obsidian is a free, popular markdown editor with:

• Clean, distraction-free interface
• Wikilinks ([[filename]]) for connecting notes
• Graph view to visualize note connections
• Large plugin ecosystem

Limitations:

• Cannot display hidden folders like .claude/ - you’ll use Finder/Explorer for those
• Requires you work in 2 tools, Obsidian for markdown file editing and Claude alongside it

Download: https://obsidian.md/download

VS Code / Cursor

Best for: Users who already use these tools or want code editing capabilities

• Full-featured code editors
• Can show hidden folders
• Extensions for markdown preview
• More complex than needed for pure document work

Setup Guide

Obsidian Setup

1. Download: Visit https://obsidian.md/download (free for personal use)
2. Open your project: Select “Open folder as vault” and navigate to your course folder
3. Split-screen: Position Claude and Obsidian side-by-side

Note: Ask Claude for the exact path if needed: What's the path to my course folder?

The .claude/ Folder

The .claude/ folder contains agents, commands, and settings. Access depends on your tool:

To view .claude/ in Finder/Explorer:

• Mac: Press Cmd + Shift + . in Finder to show hidden folders
• Windows: Enable “Hidden items” in File Explorer View tab

When you need it: Module 1.6 (Custom Sub-Agents) and later. For now, focus on regular project files.

Note: Claude Code can always access .claude/ files regardless of your editor.

Real-Time Visualization Demo

When Claude creates or edits files, you’ll watch them appear in your editor instantly.

Try it:

1. Open your editor with your project folder
2. In Claude Code, ask: Create a file called test-visualization.md with some content
3. Watch your editor - the file appears immediately
4. Click it to read what Claude wrote

That’s it! No refresh needed. Files update in real-time as Claude works.

Editor Tips

Obsidian Tips

Essential shortcuts:

• Cmd/Ctrl + O - Quick Switcher (jump to any file)
• Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + F - Search across all files
• Cmd/Ctrl + E - Toggle Reading/Editing view

Wikilinks: Connect documents with [[filename]] syntax for easy navigation

Tags: Organize with #prd #user-research #q1-2025 for filtering

Stay in Reading view for cleaner formatted display

VS Code Tips

• Cmd/Ctrl + P - Quick open any file
• Enable hidden files to see .claude/

Example: Real-Time Workflow

Without visualization: Claude creates files, but you’re unsure what happened or where they are.

With a visual workspace: Watch files appear instantly, click to review content, verify organization - complete visibility and control.

Best Practices

Do:

• Use split-screen workflow constantly
• Use quick-open shortcuts to navigate
• Keep your editor focused on the project folder

Don’t:

• Work in Claude full-screen only (you’re missing half the value)
• Worry about mastering your editor right now (just use it as a file viewer)

Troubleshooting

I don’t see any files

Likely cause: Wrong folder opened

Fix:

1. Ask Claude: What's the path to my course folder?
2. Re-open that exact folder in your editor
3. Your files should now appear

Common mistake: Opening a parent folder instead of the project folder itself

Example:

• Wrong: /Users/yourname/Documents (too high level)
• Correct: /Users/yourname/Documents/claude-code-everyone-course

Files aren’t updating

Likely cause: Editor needs to detect the change

Fix:

1. Click outside and back into editor window (forces refresh)
2. Or: Close and reopen the specific file
3. Or: Restart the editor (rare, but works)

I see raw markdown instead of formatted text

For Obsidian: Press Cmd/Ctrl + E to toggle to Reading view, or click the book icon

Where’s the .claude/ folder?

Obsidian: Hidden by design. Use Finder/Explorer:

• Mac: Open Finder → Navigate to project → Press Cmd + Shift + .
• Windows: Open File Explorer → Navigate to project → View tab → Check “Hidden items”

What’s Next

1.3: Working with Files → - Master the @ symbol and file operation patterns