# 🚀 Tutorial: From Zero to Live App in 5 Minutes (The AI Agent Stack)

I heard of GitHub CodeSpaces where I don’t need a local machine to develop code. Then I also heard I could use Claude Code as a coding agent. So, I connected them both and had Claude create a very simple webapp for proof of concept of this dev environment, and it worked. It is just so very nice so I am sharing my experience of it in a tutorial format. Below is what I had Gemini 3 write. I tested the process and it works. Enjoy!

For context, here is the deployed page in 5 minutes or so (mostly for dev configuration.)

[https://pomodoro-timer-demo-five.vercel.app/](https://pomodoro-timer-demo-five.vercel.app/)

---

[This guide out](https://pomodoro-timer-demo-five.vercel.app/)lines a modern "Cloud-Native" workflow using **GitHub Codespaces** and **Claude Code**. It eliminates local environment setup, allowing you to go from an empty repository to a deployed app on your phone in minutes.

### The Stack

* **Environment:** GitHub Codespaces (Cloud Linux VM)
    
* **Developer:** Claude Code (AI Agent in the terminal)
    
* **Deployment:** Vercel (Continuous Deployment)
    

---

### Step 1: The "Instant" Computer (GitHub Codespaces)

Instead of setting up your messy local machine, we use a clean cloud environment.

1. Go to **GitHub** and create a new **empty repository** (e.g., `ai-speed-run`).
    
2. Click the green **Code** button -> **Codespaces** tab -> **Create codespace on main**.
    
3. *Result:* In ~30 seconds, you have a full VS Code editor running in your browser.
    

### Step 2: Hire the Agent (Claude Code)

We invite the AI into the terminal to write the code for us.

1. In the Codespaces terminal, install the agent:
    
    Bash
    
    ```plaintext
    npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
    ```
    
2. Log in (follow the link it provides):
    
    Bash
    
    ```plaintext
    claude login
    ```
    
3. *Result:* You now have an AI developer ready to accept commands.
    

### Step 3: The Build

Don't write code. Describe the outcome.

1. Run the agent:
    
    Bash
    
    ```plaintext
    claude "Create a Cyberpunk Pomodoro Timer in a single index.html file with internal CSS/JS. Make it look like a matrix terminal."
    ```
    
2. *Result:* Claude creates the files and writes the logic instantly.
    

### Step 4: The Preview

Verify the app works inside the cloud.

1. Run a simple Python server (pre-installed in Codespaces):
    
    Bash
    
    ```plaintext
    python3 -m http.server 8080
    ```
    
2. Click the **"Open in Browser"** popup.
    
3. *Result:* You see your live app running on a private URL.
    

### Step 5: The "Forever" Deploy (Vercel)

Make it real.

1. Tell Claude to save the work:
    
    Bash
    
    ```plaintext
    claude "Git add, commit, and push to main"
    ```
    
2. Go to [**Vercel.com**](http://Vercel.com) -> **Add New Project** -> Select your repo -> **Deploy**.
    
3. *Result:* You get a live URL (e.g., [`timer.vercel.app`](http://timer.vercel.app)) that updates automatically every time you ask Claude to push changes.