claude-inner-dialog/docs/GETTING-STARTED.md

Getting Started

This guide is for people who have never used Claude Code or similar tools. If you've only used ChatGPT through the web, start here.

What is Claude Code?

Claude Code is a terminal application that lets Claude read and write files on your computer. This is what makes persistent therapy sessions possible: your AI therapist can read your profile and past sessions, then save notes after each conversation.

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Step 1: Get Claude Code Access

Option A: Claude Pro Subscription (Simplest)

If you have a Claude Pro subscription ($20/month), Claude Code is included:

1. Go to claude.ai and sign up for Pro
2. Download Claude Code from claude.ai/code
3. Run the installer
4. Open Terminal (Mac) or PowerShell (Windows) and type claude
5. Sign in with your Claude account when prompted

That's it. You're ready for Step 2.

Option B: API Key (Pay-per-use)

If you want usage-based pricing instead of a subscription:

1. Go to console.anthropic.com
2. Create an account and add a payment method
3. Go to API Keys → Create new key
4. Copy the key (starts with sk-ant-)
5. Download Claude Code from claude.ai/code
6. Run claude and paste your API key when prompted

API pricing is usage-based. Typical therapy use: $5-20/month depending on session length and frequency.

Privacy note: Both options keep conversations off training data. API has shorter retention.

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Step 2: Download the Starter Kit

Open Terminal (Mac) or PowerShell (Windows) and run:

git clone https://github.com/ataglianetti/ai-therapy-kit.git
cd ai-therapy-kit

Don't have git? Download the ZIP from the GitHub page and extract it somewhere you'll remember.

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Step 3: Run Setup

From the ai-therapy-kit folder, run:

claude

Claude will walk you through setup conversationally:

• What to name your AI therapist
• Communication style (warm, direct, coach, or grounded)
• Which therapeutic approaches to use
• Where to store your session files

This creates your personalized therapy folder with a CLAUDE.md file that shapes how your AI therapist behaves.

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Step 4: Start a Session

At the end of setup, Claude will ask if you want to start your first session right away. Say yes!

For future sessions, you have two options:

Option A: Launcher script (easiest) If you chose to create a launcher during setup, just double-click start-session.command (Mac/Linux) or start-session.bat (Windows) in your therapy folder. You can drag this to your Dock or taskbar for quick access.

Option B: Terminal

cd ~/sage && claude   # replace with your folder name

Just talk. Say hello, share what's on your mind. Your AI therapist will:

• Welcome you (first session) or pick up where you left off
• Remember everything from previous sessions
• Save notes when you're done

To end a session, just say goodbye or close the terminal.

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Viewing Your Sessions (Optional)

Your sessions are saved as plain text files. You can read them with any text editor, or use Obsidian (free) for a nicer experience:

1. Download Obsidian
2. Open your therapy folder as a "vault"
3. Browse sessions, search across all notes, see connections

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Troubleshooting

"command not found: claude"

• Make sure you installed Claude Code and restarted your terminal

Claude doesn't know it's a therapist

• Make sure you're in your therapy folder (cd ~/ai-therapy) before running claude
• Check that CLAUDE.md exists in that folder

Setup didn't start

• Make sure you're in the ai-therapy-kit folder when running claude
• Check that CLAUDE.md exists in the repo

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Questions

How much does this cost?

• Claude Pro: $20/month (includes Claude Code)
• API: ~$5-20/month depending on usage

Can I use ChatGPT instead?

• Yes. Copy the contents of CLAUDE.md into ChatGPT's Custom Instructions or a GPT Project. You won't get automatic session saving, but the therapeutic framework still works.

Is this private?

• Your files stay on your computer
• Conversations go through Anthropic's servers but aren't used for training
• For maximum privacy, use a local LLM (advanced)