Claude Howto: Visual Learning Guide (2026)

The claude-howto repository by luongnv89 (28K+ stars) teaches Claude Code through visual diagrams and structured learning paths. It uses Mermaid diagrams to explain workflows, provides copy-paste templates for every concept, and packages everything into an 11-13 hour curriculum. EPUB generation lets you read it offline on any e-reader.

What It Is

A learning-first documentation project that covers Claude Code from installation to advanced multi-agent workflows. Unlike reference documentation that assumes you know what you’re looking for, claude-howto follows a structured progression:

  1. Getting Started — installation, first session, basic commands
  2. Core Concepts — CLAUDE.md, tools, context management
  3. Intermediate — hooks, MCP servers, custom commands
  4. Advanced — multi-agent orchestration, cost optimization, enterprise patterns
  5. Reference — copy-paste templates for every concept covered

Each section includes Mermaid diagrams that visualize the concept before the text explains it.

Why It Matters

Claude Code’s official documentation is reference-style: accurate but not pedagogical. It tells you what each feature does without explaining when to use it or how it connects to other features.

claude-howto fills that gap. The Mermaid diagrams are particularly effective for visual learners — seeing a workflow as a flowchart before reading the implementation makes the concept stick. The 28K stars suggest this resonates with a large audience.

The EPUB export is a unique feature. Download it to a Kindle or tablet and work through the learning path without a browser.

Installation

Browse Online

The simplest approach — read it on GitHub:

open https://github.com/luongnv89/claude-howto

Clone for Offline Access

git clone https://github.com/luongnv89/claude-howto.git ~/references/claude-howto

Generate EPUB

cd ~/references/claude-howto
npm install
npm run build:epub
# Output: ./dist/claude-howto.epub

Transfer the EPUB to your e-reader of choice.

Key Features

  1. Mermaid Diagrams — visual flowcharts for Claude Code workflows. Session lifecycle, tool selection logic, hook execution order, MCP communication, and multi-agent coordination all have dedicated diagrams.

  2. 11-13 Hour Learning Path — structured progression from beginner to advanced. Each section estimates completion time so you can plan study sessions.

  3. Copy-Paste Templates — every concept includes a ready-to-use template. CLAUDE.md rules, hook scripts, MCP configs, and command definitions you can paste directly into your project.

  4. EPUB Generation — export the entire guide as an EPUB for offline reading. Diagrams render as static images in the EPUB.

  5. Progressive Complexity — starts with “what is Claude Code” and ends with multi-agent orchestration patterns. No assumed knowledge.

  6. Real-World Examples — examples use realistic codebases (e-commerce API, React dashboard, CLI tool) rather than abstract foo/bar demos.

  7. Exercise Sections — practice tasks at the end of each chapter. “Configure a hook that runs ESLint on save” or “Set up MCP with a local PostgreSQL database.”

  8. Version-Tagged Content — chapters tagged with the Claude Code version they were written for. Outdated sections are flagged with update notes.

Real Usage Example

Visual Learning: Hook Execution Flow

Instead of reading paragraphs about hooks, claude-howto starts with a Mermaid diagram:

graph TD
    A[Claude Code Session Start] --> B{session_start hooks?}
    B -->|yes| C[Execute session_start hooks]
    B -->|no| D[Ready for input]
    C --> D
    D --> E[User sends message]
    E --> F{pre_tool hooks?}
    F -->|yes| G[Execute pre_tool hooks]
    F -->|no| H[Execute tool]
    G --> H
    H --> I{post_tool hooks?}
    I -->|yes| J[Execute post_tool hooks]
    I -->|no| K[Return result]
    J --> K

Then the text explains each node with a corresponding template:

# session_start hook — update local docs
#!/bin/bash
cd ~/.claude/docs && git pull --quiet 2>/dev/null || true

# pre_tool hook — log all tool calls
#!/bin/bash
echo "$(date) | $TOOL_NAME | $TOOL_INPUT" >> ~/.claude/tool-log.txt

Copy-Paste CLAUDE.md Template

The CLAUDE.md chapter provides a production-ready template:

# Project: [name]
## Tech Stack
- Language: [TypeScript/Python/Go/etc.]
- Framework: [Next.js/FastAPI/etc.]
- Database: [PostgreSQL/MongoDB/etc.]
- Testing: [Vitest/pytest/etc.]
## Behavioral Rules
- Read existing code before modifying files
- Run tests after every code change
- Ask before making architectural decisions
- Keep changes minimal and focused
## Code Standards
- [specific standards for your stack]
## Project Structure
- src/: source code
- tests/: test files
- docs/: documentation

When To Use

  • Learning Claude Code from scratch — the structured path eliminates “where do I start?” paralysis
  • Visual learners — the Mermaid diagrams explain concepts faster than text for many people
  • Onboarding team members — share the guide as pre-reading before giving someone Claude Code access
  • Offline study — the EPUB export works on any e-reader, no internet needed
  • Quick reference — the copy-paste templates make it useful even after you’ve completed the learning path

When NOT To Use

  • Experienced Claude Code users — if you’re already comfortable with hooks, MCP, and multi-agent patterns, this covers ground you already know
  • Looking for specific API docs — this is a learning guide, not a reference manual; use the official docs mirror for API details
  • Cutting-edge features — the guide may lag behind the latest release by a few weeks

FAQ

How long does the full learning path take?

11-13 hours at a measured pace. Most developers complete it in 3-4 sittings over a week.

Are the diagrams accessible?

Mermaid diagrams render as text-based flowcharts in screen readers. The EPUB version includes alt-text descriptions for static diagram images.

Can I contribute chapters?

Yes. The repo accepts PRs for new chapters, diagram corrections, and template updates. Follow the contribution guide for formatting requirements.

Does it cover Claude Code Teams/Enterprise?

The advanced section includes enterprise-specific topics like team-wide CLAUDE.md management, cost allocation, and access control patterns.

Our Take

8/10. The best learning resource for Claude Code newcomers. The Mermaid diagrams are a genuine differentiator — no other resource visualizes Claude Code workflows this well. The copy-paste templates save time even for experienced users. Loses points because the 11-13 hour length means many developers won’t finish it, and some sections are verbose where a concise reference would serve better. The EPUB export is a nice touch for long-haul flights.

Get started → Generate your project setup with our Project Starter.

Configure MCP → Build your server config with our MCP Config Generator.

See Also

Try it: Estimate your monthly spend with our Cost Calculator.