Conceptual Demystification

Key Terms, Plain English

CLI (Command Line Interface):

• Text-based way to control your computer

• Instead of clicking, you type commands

• Example: cd Documents (go to Documents folder)

API (Application Programming Interface):

• How programs talk to each other (like a waiter taking your order to the kitchen)

• Claude Code uses Anthropic’s APIs behind the scenes

• You sign in with your Claude account; access and limits depend on your plan or org settings

• Don’t overthink it: You use APIs every day without knowing (weather apps, maps, etc.)

Git (Version Control System):

• Like “Track Changes” in Word, but for your whole project folder

• Save snapshots you can return to (like save points in a video game)

• Messed something up? Go back to your last save

• Example: git commit = save snapshot

GitHub:

• Website that hosts your Git projects

• Like Dropbox, but designed for code

• Free for public projects

Repository (Repo):

• A project folder with Git tracking

• Lives on GitHub

• Example: github.com/yourname/habit-tracker

npm (Node Package Manager):

• Like an App Store, but for code building blocks

• Someone already built a calendar widget? npm install it instead of making your own

• Run projects: npm start or npm run dev

• Analogy: Instead of making every ingredient from scratch, you buy pre-made pasta sauce

Localhost:

• Your computer pretending to be a web server

• Address: localhost:3000 or localhost:5173

• Only you can see it (until you deploy)

• Analogy: It’s like a dress rehearsal. The performance is happening, but the audience (internet) can’t see it yet.

Deploy/Deployment:

• Putting your project on the internet

• Going from “only on my computer” to “anyone can visit”

• Services: Vercel, Netlify, GitHub Pages

• Reframe: It sounds technical, but these services make it almost as easy as uploading a photo to social media

Build/Build Tool:

• Process that prepares your code for production

• Combines files, optimizes images, etc.

• Tools: Vite, Webpack, Parcel

Environment:

• Where code runs

• Development = on your computer

• Production = on the internet for users

Jargon Translation Table

Dev Speak	Normal Human
”Clone the repo"	"Download the project"
"Push to origin"	"Upload changes to GitHub"
"Merge conflict"	"Two people edited same line"
"npm install"	"Download dependencies"
"Hot reload"	"Auto-refresh when you save"
"Localhost"	"Pretend website on your computer"
"Route"	"Page/screen in the app"
"Component"	"Reusable UI piece"
"Bundle"	"Combine code into one file"
"Deploy"	"Put on the internet”

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