Claude Projects Setup Workflow in 1 Hour

1. Update your Claude desktop app. 2. Click the Cowork tab at the top. 3. You need a Pro plan ($20/mo). 0-5 min: Open Projects in Cowork. Cowork tab -> Projects -> click '+'. 3 choices: scratch, import old Project, existing folder. Pick the recurring task you do every single week. 5-20 min: Create your first Project. Start from scratch = brand new folder. Import a Claude Project = old files + instructions. Use existing folder = your Cowork memory + rules. 20-30 min: Write Project instructions. Keep them short. 5-8 lines max. Cover: tone, format, output type, hard rules. End with: "Use AskUserQuestion before executing." 30-40 min: Add files to the folder. about-me .md = who you are, how you work. anti-ai-style .md = every word you'd never use. 2-3 of your best past outputs as examples. 40-50 min: Run your first real task. Setup prompt: "Read every file in this folder. Summarize what you know about this workspace." Then: "I want to [task]. Ask me questions first." Claude generates clickable forms to prompt you. 50-60 min: Schedule a recurring task. Open the Project -> Scheduled tasks -> New. "Every Monday at 7am, create my weekly briefing."