Building a CRM From Scratch With Claude Code (Start to Finish)

Overview

The video explains how to build a fully custom CRM from scratch using Claude Code, including deployment and automation—so you can potentially replace tools like HubSpot or GoHighLevel and get more tailored features (possibly saving money along the way).

What the Custom CRM Can Do (Examples + Feature Set)

Core CRM functionality (web app)

• A built web app CRM with core features, including:
  • A lead pipeline with multiple stages (the example pipeline has ~5 stages)
  • The ability to move leads between stages
  • Lead profiles/details and company profiles
  • A Contacts page:
    • Add/view contacts
    • Link contacts to leads / primary contacts
  • An Analytics tab showing high-level business metrics (e.g., leads entering, deals completed)

Advanced AI/productivity features (as demonstrated by the presenter)

• AI enrichment and AI scoring (e.g., warm vs. cold leads)
• Company intelligence enrichment
• Assign people to companies
• Associate deals/projects with CRM entities
• Upload onboarding forms
• AI-generated project flow diagrams
• AI summaries
• A company-specific chatbot (Q&A about a company)

Integration Approach (APIs + MCP)

After generating the CRM UI, the build expands into integrations using:

• MCP servers and/or API calls (Claude decides which to use)

Example automation/integration

• Send an email when a lead moves to a specific pipeline stage (e.g., a “closed/l one” stage)
• Claude can:
  • Read the target app’s documentation to implement the connection
• The presenter recommends:
  • Using a third-party transactional email provider rather than Gmail for internal notifications

Email Sending Integration (Resend)

The video recommends Resend as the email provider for CRM transactional emails.

What’s shown

• Claude selects Resend based on documentation and prior setup.

Setup requirements mentioned

• Connect a Resend account
• Connect a domain to Resend

Verification steps

• Create a test lead
• Move it to the triggering pipeline stage
• Confirm the system sends the email successfully (including deal name/value in the notification)

Hosting/Deployment (Railway)

Local build + online hosting

• The CRM is built locally using Claude Code (often within Visual Studio Code).
• To keep it accessible online and running continuously:
  • Use Railway to host the web app

Deployment workflow

• Create/attach a Railway project
• Authenticate using a Railway API key (if not already connected)
• Claude handles the deployment steps and returns a live hosted link

Infrastructure details (briefly)

• Claude creates/uses Railway “nodes” for the deployed application
• The presenter doesn’t need to manage infrastructure manually beyond confirming it works

Automation Workflows (Background Server Logic)

Because the app runs on Railway 24/7, Claude can build background automation tasks.

Example automation

• “When a new lead is added, after 60 seconds move it to the next pipeline stage.”

Demonstration described

• Create a lead
• Close the web tab
• After waiting >60 seconds, the CRM updates automatically
  • Showing automation ran server-side in the background

Tutorial Flow (Start-to-Finish Process)

Using Claude Code, the process follows:

1. Describe requirements in plain English (web CRM, contacts, lead pipeline stages, company profiles, analytics)

2. Generate the initial CRM web app

3. Deploy via Railway to obtain a live link
4. Add integrations (MCP/APIs), demonstrated with email notifications via Resend
5. Add automations (pipeline-stage transitions triggered by timers)

Main Speakers / Sources

• Primary speaker (implied): the video presenter demonstrating the Claude Code + Railway CRM build (no name given in subtitles)
• Tools/services referenced: Claude Code, Visual Studio Code, Railway, Resend, MCP, plus examples like Fathom (meeting notes) and Google Meet