What we're building, and why a VPS matters

Welcome! Before we touch a single button, let's get the big picture. By the end of this short module you'll know exactly what you're going to build, roughly what it costs, and which two accounts to set up first. No jargon yet — promise.

What "building things online" really takes

Here's a secret that makes the whole internet less mysterious: a website is just a file (or a program) sitting on a computer that's always turned on and connected to the internet. When you visit a website, your phone or laptop is really just asking that always-on computer, "Hey, can I see your page?" — and it answers.

Your own laptop could answer that question… but only while it's awake, plugged in, at home, and not being used for anything else. Close the lid and your website vanishes. That's no good.

The computer we rent is called a VPS, which stands for Virtual Private Server. Don't worry about the exact meaning yet — Module 1 is entirely about that. For now, picture it as a small computer you rent, living in a data center, that stays on 24 hours a day so your projects are always available.

The finish line: what you'll actually ship

It's a lot easier to learn when you know where you're headed. So here's the exact thing waiting for you at the end of this course:

• A real server of your own, running out on the internet.
• A working website or app that you built — with Claude writing the code alongside you.
• Your own web address (like yourname.com) that points to it.
• The little padlock 🔒 in the browser bar — that's HTTPS, and it means your site is secure.
• Set up so it restarts on its own after a crash or reboot, with backups so nothing is ever lost.

What it costs (no surprises)

This course is free to read. To actually put a site online, there are two possible costs — and both are small and optional until you're ready.

So the realistic cost to go all the way, live domain and all, is roughly the price of a couple of coffees per month. And in Module 2 we'll turn on billing alerts so you get an email long before any bill grows.

Two accounts to set up first

You'll create your server later (Module 2) and buy a domain even later (Module 8). Right now there are just two things worth lining up so you're not stuck later.

1. Create an Anthropic account (for Claude)

   Claude is the AI helper that will write code with you. Go to claude.com and sign up. This is the account Claude Code (which we install in Module 6) will use. If you already use Claude, you're done — same account.

2. Have a payment method ready

   When it's time to rent the server in Module 2, the provider will ask for a card (or sometimes PayPal). You don't need to enter anything now — just know that a small monthly charge is coming when you're ready, so nothing catches you off guard.

One last thing: the right mindset

You are going to see commands that look like alien text, and menus full of unfamiliar words. That's completely normal, and it does not mean this is too hard for you. Every professional started exactly here.

Two rules that make everything easier:

• You can't permanently break anything. The server is separate from your own computer. Worst case, you delete it and make a fresh one in a minute.
• Confusion is a signal, not a verdict. If a step doesn't make sense, that's a cue to slow down or re-read — not proof that you "can't do this." You can.