Description
Build software with Claude Code from written plans: configure CLAUDE.md and agent settings, write verify-first acceptance checks, build in small tested pull requests, review with a second AI model and add security checks to CI.
Same course, other tool: Spec-Driven Software Development with OpenAI Codex teaches the same method and hours. Choose the tool your team already uses.
Your capstone, reviewed by a coach
You finish by taking an issue from a written plan to a merge whose checks pass, and your coach reviews the evidence with you: the plan, the tests and the second-model review. That review is part of earning your certificate.
Group coaching for teams
Each learner gets 1 hour of coaching. Teams pool their hours into group sessions, so a team of 6 shares 6 hours of group coaching.
About this course
This course teaches spec-driven development with Claude Code, across the terminal, the desktop app and your IDE. You set up the project instructions Claude Code loads every session, turn a specification into a plan whose every acceptance criterion has a verify command, and direct Claude Code to build it in small, test-first pull requests. Then you have Codex or another vendor's model review the same work adversarially, record decisions, and add security checks that run on every pull request. Shipped means the checks pass on the main branch, with evidence.
Who it is for
This course is for software developers, test automation engineers, technical builders, and entrepreneurs and founders who build their own products with AI coding agents.
Prerequisites
Introduction to GitHub with AI, or working knowledge of Git and pull requests
Comfort reading code in JavaScript or Python
Requirements
Works on Windows, macOS or Linux
Git, Node.js or Python, and a code editor such as Visual Studio Code (all free), and a free GitHub account
Labs use a public practice repository, since branch protection requires a paid plan for private repositories; do not put employer code in it. Teams on a paid GitHub plan can use a private repository.
Claude Code, which needs a paid Claude plan (Pro, Max, Team or Enterprise) or a paid Anthropic API account; the free Claude plan does not include Claude Code
A second reviewer from a different vendor, such as Codex, which is included in ChatGPT plans (the free plan has limited usage; a paid plan gives more)
What you will be able to do
- You will be able to install and configure Claude Code, including CLAUDE.md project instructions, permissions and allowed tools.
- You will be able to write a plan file whose acceptance criteria each carry a verify command that passes when built and fails when not.
- You will be able to direct Claude Code to build from a plan in pull requests under 400 lines, with a failing test written before each fix.
- You will be able to run an adversarial code review with a second AI model from a different vendor, make the reviewers argue, and act on the findings that survive.
- You will be able to configure a CI pipeline that runs tests and security checks for access rules and endpoints on every pull request, with Claude Code running unattended where useful.
- You will be able to record architecture decisions and risks so later engineers and agents understand why the code is the way it is.
Syllabus
Setting up Claude Code 1 hour
Claude Code in the terminal, desktop app and IDE, Permissions and allowed tools in settings.json, What agents do well and badly, Agents open pull requests and never merge them.
Project instructions and coding standards 1.5 hours
CLAUDE.md project instructions, Coding defaults and owned paths, Subagents, slash commands, skills and hooks, Rules in files, not in memory.
Plan files and verify-first acceptance checks 1.5 hours
Plan mode for exploring before building, Plan file structure, "When X, the system shall Y" criteria, Verify commands that fail when the feature is absent.
Building in small, test-first pull requests 1.5 hours
Pull requests under 400 lines, Failing test before the fix, Baseline test runs, Labeling agent-authored work.
Cross-model adversarial review 1.5 hours
Claude Code's own review commands, Codex or another vendor's model as second reviewer, Review prompts that demand vulnerabilities and refusals, Making reviewers argue and triaging findings.
Automation, security checks and decision records 1 hour
Headless mode and the Claude Code GitHub Action, Access-rule and tenant isolation tests, Required checks, Architecture decision records and a risk register.
Capstone 2 hours
Project instructions, Plan with verify commands, Claude Code build, Cross-model review, Verified merge.
Coaching sessions 1 hour
Your coach reviews your capstone with you and answers questions as you work. Teams pool their hours into group sessions, so a team of 6 shares 6 hours of group coaching.
How it is delivered
How you learn
On-demand asynchronous training with online support, plus 1 hour of coaching.
Live or in person
Live online or in-person sessions are available for an additional fee. Email admissions@wecancodeit.org for details.
Frequently asked questions
What is spec-driven development with Claude Code?
You write a plan with acceptance criteria and a runnable check for each before Claude Code writes code. Claude Code builds to the plan, and the checks prove whether it worked.
Spec-driven development vs vibe coding: what is the difference?
Vibe coding prompts an AI until something works. Spec-driven development writes the target and its checks first, so the result can be verified, reviewed and maintained.
Why review with a second AI model?
A model reviewing its own work tends to repeat its own reasoning. A model from another vendor catches different problems, and making the two argue surfaces the findings worth fixing.
Is there a version of this course for Codex?
Yes. Spec-Driven Software Development with OpenAI Codex covers the same method and hours with Codex as the main tool. Choose the tool your team already uses.
What does the coaching include?
Each learner gets 1 hour of coaching. Your coach reviews your capstone with you and answers questions as you work through the labs. Teams pool their hours into group sessions, so a team of 6 shares 6 hours of group coaching.
How long does it take and what does it cost?
10 course hours of on-demand video and labs plus 1 hour of coaching, for $1,000 per person. A paid Claude plan for Claude Code is extra.
Related courses
Spec-Driven Software Development with OpenAI Codex
Build software with OpenAI Codex from written plans: configure AGENTS.md and agent settings, write verify-first acceptance checks, build in small tested pull requests, review with a second AI model and add security checks to CI.
10 course hours, $1,000
Introduction to GitHub with AI
Set up and use GitHub for real work: repositories, branches, pull requests, issues, Projects, Actions, Copilot and Codespaces, security settings, with preparation for the GitHub Foundations (GH-900) exam.
8 course hours, $800
Security Testing and Code Review for AI-Generated Web Applications
Test, attack and secure an AI-generated web application with automated end-to-end tests, multi-model AI code review and hands-on red-teaming of access control, injection, secrets and AI features.
10 course hours, $1,000
Spec-Driven Development for Product Owners
Write specifications and executable acceptance criteria that AI coding agents can build from, configure GitHub issue forms and Projects to manage them, and verify delivered work in deploy previews.
10 course hours, $1,000
Spec-Driven Product Delivery: Product Owner and Engineer Collaboration
Set up a shared delivery system for a product owner and engineer working with AI coding agents: a working agreement, a weekly cycle, two approval gates in GitHub, and evidence-based reviews.
8 course hours, $800
Enroll your team
One or a few learners
Choose the number of seats, add the course to your cart and check out.
A group, or a written quote
Send the form below for group enrollment or a written quote. We reply within one business day. You can also email admissions@wecancodeit.org.
We Can Code IT, LLC, 26300 Cedar Rd, Suite 1105, Beachwood, OH 44122. Registered with the Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools, Registration No. 15-03-2064T.