The Startup Ideas Podcast – Claude Code Clearly Explained (and how to use it)

Host: Greg Isenberg
Guest: Professor Ross Mike
Release Date: January 19, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Greg Isenberg sits down with Professor Ross Mike for a hands-on masterclass on using Claude Code, Anthropic's agent for accelerated AI-driven software development. Ross demystifies the process, focusing on beginners—explaining everything from setup to planning and advanced agent use, all while emphasizing clarity, intentionality, and product vision. Special attention is paid to the importance of precise planning, the dangers of over-automation, and the nuances that separate "AI slop" from genuinely innovative products.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Good Inputs Matter

(Starts at 01:17)

• Ross Mike: "However good your inputs are will dictate how good your output is." [01:24]

  • Instructs listeners to treat their prompts like communicating with a human engineer—details and clarity are critical.
  • Good PRDs (Product Requirement Docs), to-do lists, and feature breakdowns are the foundation of valuable AI outputs.

• Examples:

  • Users often describe products (e.g. a “car”) but not the necessary features (“steering wheel, radio, wheels”), leading to poor AI results.
  • Ross points out that frustration with AI is often due to vague input, not model limitations.

2. Practical Product Planning

(Demo begins at 03:27)

• Workflow Walkthrough:

  • Use Claude Code or similar agents to break down apps into discrete features.
  • After coding each feature, have the model write and run tests to ensure functionality before moving to the next.

• Ross: “If you don't know how to use a terminal, ask AI. Like, it's the, like, simplest thing.” [05:12]

  • Recommends the Claude Code app for those wary of the command line.

Key Tool: The Ask User Question Tool

(Highlighted at 07:30, expanded at 09:00)

• Invoking this tool prompts detailed, sometimes “annoying” follow-up questions, diving into technical, UI/UX, and strategic product aspects.
• Ross: “It starts to interview you about the specifics of your plan.” [07:36]
• This approach forces makers to specify things that would otherwise lead to vague or misaligned outputs.

Example Workflow:

• Standard planning vs. Interview-style planning:

  • Default prompts create broad, two-question plans.
  • The Ask User Question tool iteratively refines the plan, dramatically improving clarity and reducing costly back-and-forth.

  Greg: “So it's not just the plan, it's the right plan.” [08:19]

3. Efficiency, Token Use, and Why Planning Saves Money

(Discussed at 11:59)

• Better plans = fewer tokens spent on corrections and iterations.
  • "Most people will have a RALPH loop running. It'll be a basic plan and it'll do what you told it to do, but you weren't specific. So now you're going back..." [12:16]
  • Investing in the ‘annoying’ planning phase avoids wasted effort and funds.

4. Stepwise Approach: Don’t Jump Straight Into Automation

Ross’s Crash Course Steps (at 13:24):

1. Get REALLY good at planning—your plan is everything.
2. Build features one at a time and test before moving on.
3. Avoid automation loops like RALPH until you've mastered manual prompting and building.

Memorable Analogy:
“Imagine not knowing how to drive but then buying a Tesla for the self driving stuff.” [13:47]

5. Introduction to RALPH Loops

(Begins 18:36)

• RALPH Explained:
  A loop that processes a list of features, builds and tests each in sequence, documenting progress as it goes.

• Ross’s Custom RALPH Setup:

  • Every feature is tested and linted before moving forward.
  • “If your plan sucks, then the RALPH loop won’t matter. You’re just donating money to Anthropic.” [20:22]
  • Provides GitHub links for setup but emphasizes the agent can guide users directly with minimal instructions.

• Key takeaway:
  RALPH loops are powerful, but only with precise, well-thought-out PRDs.

6. Core Tips & Tricks for Building with Claude Code

Actionable List (at 24:00 — Section structured by Ross)

• 1. Use Ask User Question Tool (most people skip this; it’s how you create high-fidelity plans).
• 2. Don’t obsess over MCPs, skills, etc.:
  They’re peripheral; the plan matters most.
• 3. Use RALPH only after manual success:
  “If you haven’t deployed anything, you have no business using RALPH.” [25:27]
• 4. Monitor context window usage:
  “The moment you see 50%... start a new session.” [26:21]
• 5. Have Audacity:
  “Software development is starting to become easy, but software engineering is very, very hard.” [26:47]

7. The Audacity Principle & Building Standout Products

(Highlighted at 27:45)

• Greg and Ross discuss the need to create "scroll-stopping" software—original, daring, and tailored beyond mere technical cloning.

  • Greg: “There’s a lot of tutorials about cloning billion dollar software… But that’s not the type of software that’s going to work in 2026.” [27:53]

• Ross:
  “If building the AI chat interface is easy, what’s going to make your app different? I think a little bit of Audacity, a little bit of thought and care and a little bit of taste goes a long way nowadays.” [28:48]

• Encourage foundational design and workflow thinking, even with low-tech tools (pen and paper) before jumping into code.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ross Mike:

  • "If your plan sucks, then the RALPH loop won’t matter. You’re just donating money to Anthropic. And I wish you the best of luck if that’s what you want to do.” [20:22]
  • "A RALPH loop is basically, you have a list of things... the model works on the first task, it finishes it, then documents it in another file, and then it goes again..." [19:38]
  • “Have audacity. And what I mean by that is software development is starting to become easy, but software engineering is very, very hard.” [26:47]

• Greg Isenberg:

  • “So it’s not just the plan, it’s the right plan.” [08:19]
  • “For me, it’s about creating scroll-stopping software... That’s what’s going to work in 2026.” [27:45]

• On Planning:

  • “If you don’t have the audacity or the decency to set up a little time, a little extra time to plan, then I guarantee whatever you generate is going to be AI slop and you might blame the model. But really the problem is you.” [12:58]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:17 — Why good input/prompting is crucial for Claude Code and all agents
• 03:27 — Live workflow: breaking down a product idea into features and planning
• 07:30 — Introduction to the Ask User Question Tool for detailed planning
• 12:06 — Why better plans save money and time with Claude Code
• 13:24 — Step-by-step guide: manual > automation
• 18:36 — RALPH loops: what they are and when (not) to use them
• 24:00 — Tips & Tricks section: actionable summary for users
• 27:45 — The Audacity Principle: Making products that stand out in 2026

Episode Flow & Final Thoughts

• Language & Tone: The conversation is friendly, motivating, respectfully irreverent, and focused on empowering absolute beginners as well as more advanced users of Claude Code.
• Both Greg and Ross stress intentionality at all stages, urging listeners to resist the temptation of automation and shortcuts when building meaningful, innovative software.

Recommendations

• Beginners: Start with meticulous planning. Use the Ask User Question tool and iterate manually before automating anything.
• Advanced Users: Invest in your PRDs—this is where outcome quality is truly determined.
• Everyone: Strive for “scroll-stopping” and audacious product ideas; taste, care, and clarity of vision are more important than ever in the age of powerful AI.

Follow-up:
Links are promised in show notes to Professor Ross Mike’s YouTube, the RALPH setup, and Greg’s startup database.

Call to Action:
Don’t be tempted by automation until you’ve proven concepts manually. Invest in planning and product-thinking—because the future of software will be owned by those who dare to stand out.