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

Working with Claude Code in a terminal feels like working blind. You ask Claude to create documents, but you can’t see what’s happening.

The solution: Open a visual editor alongside your terminal. 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 the terminal for Claude Code

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 Code terminal 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 full-screen terminal 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