Summary of I Built an Entire Website with Claude Code… Here’s How

Summary of Video: "I Built an Entire Website with Claude Code… Here’s How"

Technological Concepts & Tools:

• Claude Code: The main AI coding tool used, described as a powerful AI agent that can create, edit, and manage files on the user’s computer, enabling full app development without writing manual code.
• NodeJS: Required runtime environment for installing and running Claude Code.
• GitHub: Used for version control and code backup, allowing easy commits and pushing changes to a private repository.
• Claude API: Integrated to power an AI chat feature within the site.
• Producer AI: AI music generation tool used to create custom background music tracks.
• Image Generation APIs: Integration of image generation via the ideogram API (and mention of alternatives like FAL or Replicate APIs).
• Vercel CLI: Used to deploy the final app to the internet securely.

Product Features Developed:

1. Canvas-Style Personal Website:
   • Inspired by Ryolu’s personal site, featuring a free-form canvas with multiple movable windows.
   • Five main interactive buttons/windows planned:
     • YouTube video embed (styled as a TV).
     • Retro iPod music player with playlist and animated UI reacting to audio.
     • Sticky notes app (yellow sticky note style) with drag-and-drop functionality.
     • AI Chat window powered by Claude API, styled like an iPhone.
     • Image generator with input/output fields that generate AI images on demand.
2. UI/UX Customizations:
   • Use of brand assets such as gradients, backgrounds, and custom 3D-style icons for buttons (TV, iPod, iPhone, sticky note).
   • Windows have partially transparent backgrounds, smaller top bars with centered text, and consistent styling across components.
   • Buttons have hover animations (grow and rotate) and click effects.
   • Sound effects added for window dragging, AI typing, and responses, with volume control added for music playback.
   • Background images can be rotated with arrow buttons; eventually simplified to a single default background.
3. Music Integration:
   • AI-generated music tracks created via Producer AI, tailored to evoke specific emotions (wonder, excitement, motivation).
   • Multiple tracks downloaded and added to the app’s music folder.
   • iPod interface allows song navigation and shows currently playing track with animation.
4. AI Chat Feature:
   • Claude API used for chat, with system prompt customized to act as an assistant for the “New Vibe” podcast.
   • Chat interface styled to look like an iPhone, with compact context management to optimize conversation history.
5. Image Generation Feature:
   • Input/output paired windows for generating AI images using ideogram API.
   • Duplicate button to open new image generation windows, which cascade slightly for visibility.
   • Custom 3D icon representing image generation added.
6. Deployment & Security:
   • Project committed and pushed to GitHub regularly.
   • Final deployment done using Vercel CLI.
   • Emphasis on securing API keys by storing them in environment (.env) files and not exposing them publicly.

Guide / Tutorial Highlights:

• Step-by-step installation of Claude Code and dependencies.
• Creating and managing project files with AI assistance.
• Using Claude Code to generate entire app structure and UI from a simple markdown plan.
• Adding and organizing brand assets (images, music).
• Generating AI music with Producer AI and integrating it into the app.
• Creating custom icons with OpenAI’s image generation and Canva for styling.
• Implementing advanced UI features such as draggable windows, animations, and sound effects.
• Setting up AI chat with API keys and system prompts.
• Using GitHub for version control and Vercel for deployment.
• Troubleshooting UI/UX issues and iterating on designs with AI help.

Main Speakers / Sources:

• Riley Brown: The video creator and main speaker guiding through the entire process of building the website using Claude Code.
• Ryolu: Designer of the original inspirational personal site that inspired the project.
• Claude (Anthropic): The AI coding assistant and chat model powering the development and AI chat features.
• Producer AI: Sponsor and AI music generation tool used in the tutorial.

Overall, the video is a comprehensive tutorial and demonstration of building a fully functional, interactive, AI-assisted personal website with multimedia features, all created and managed via AI coding tools without manual coding.

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Technology

Video