CCO Setup Wizard

You need: A Claude Pro or Max subscription ($20+ USD/month) from claude.ai

1. Install Git

Windows: Download from git-scm.com/downloads/win - default options, just click through. Claude Code on Windows requires this.

Mac: xcode-select --install (or brew install git if you have Homebrew).

Linux: sudo apt install git (Debian/Ubuntu) or sudo dnf install git (Fedora).

2. Install Claude Code

Mac/Linux:

curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash

Windows (PowerShell):

irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex

No dependencies needed — the installer is a standalone binary that auto-updates in the background.

“Not in your PATH” error? (Windows)

1. Win + R → type sysdm.cpl → Enter
2. Advanced tab → Environment Variables
3. Select Path under User variables → Edit → New
4. Paste the path it told you (e.g. C:\Users\YourName\.local\bin)
5. OK everything → restart PowerShell

3. Authenticate

claude

It opens a browser. Sign in with your Anthropic account. Then go to claude.ai → Settings → Privacy and turn off “Improve Claude for everyone” — this is on by default and lets Anthropic use your conversations for training (with 5-year retention). Turning it off reduces retention to 30 days.

Type /exit to quit for now.

4. Clone the Template

git clone https://github.com/OpenCairn/OpenCairn.git ~/Files
cd ~/Files
git remote rename origin template
chmod +x .claude/scripts/*.sh

~/Files is your vault — everything lives here. The remote rename lets /update pull future template improvements.

4.5. Configure Environment

Mac/Linux — add to ~/.bashrc (Linux) or ~/.zshrc (Mac):

export VAULT_PATH="$HOME/Files"
alias cc='cd ~/Files && claude'

Then reload: source ~/.bashrc (or source ~/.zshrc).

Windows (PowerShell):

# Run once:
[Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable("VAULT_PATH", "$HOME\Files", "User")
# Add to $PROFILE for the alias:
function cc { Set-Location ~/Files; claude }

Now you can type cc from anywhere to launch Claude Code in your vault.

5. Personalise

cc

(Or cd ~/Files && claude if you haven’t reloaded your shell yet.)

Type exactly:

I’ve just cloned this OpenCairn template for my business. Help me personalise CLAUDE.md for my situation and walk me through the system.

Claude will interview you about your business, then write your CLAUDE.md.

6. Install Obsidian

Stay in the same Claude session. Type:

Download and install Obsidian, then open ~/Files as a vault.

7. Seed Your Vault

Still the same session. Work through these one at a time:

Write a deeper context file (clients, team structure, workflows - the stuff CLAUDE.md didn’t cover):

I want to create a detailed context file about my business operations. Ask me questions one at a time, then write it up in 07 System/.

Start a real project:

/start-project

Pick something you’re actually working on right now.

Capture a process from your head:

I’m going to describe how we onboard a new client. Ask me questions one at a time, then write it up as an SOP in the right folder.

Save your session:

/park

8. Tomorrow

Open your terminal, type cc, then:

/pickup

Everything from today is there. That’s the system.

Daily Commands

Staying Current

The template gets regular updates - new commands, bug fixes, cross-platform improvements. To pull the latest:

/update

This updates commands and scripts only. Your CLAUDE.md and vault content are never touched. See Staying Current for details.

Tips

Plan Mode: Press Shift+Tab twice before asking Claude to do something. It’ll discuss its approach before making changes - good for learning how it thinks.

Don’t just ask for outputs. The real value is back-and-forth:

“Let’s brainstorm…” “What am I missing here?” “Can you ask me clarifying questions about…” “Let’s workshop this…”

The conversation is the thinking. Claude asking you questions and you refining your answers is often more valuable than the final document.

Everything compounds. Each file you create becomes context for future sessions. The more you put in, the smarter it gets about your business.