Free AI Starter Kit · Version 1.0.6

Start using AI for work that matters.

Start with one real task. Learn a process you can use again.

If AI chat is a capable brain, Cowork gives it hands. The Starter Kit gives those hands a clear, low-risk first job, then shows you how to review the result and repeat the process.

Get the free Starter Kit

Free Starter Kit. Requires the Claude desktop app and a paid Claude plan with Cowork. No Sidekick purchase or call required.

New to Cowork? Start with the four-minute introduction

New to Claude Cowork?

See how it works before you set anything up.

Watch the four-minute walkthrough Read Anthropic's setup guide See real examples of AI at work

Get the folder

Download it here, then continue with the steps below.

Enter your name and email once. The Starter Kit appears immediately, and we email the link plus four short setup notes over seven days so you can find it again.

The written guide is free to read. The form is only for downloading the folder.

Quick Start

Follow these seven steps in order.

Before you download

Check these before you start.

If you do not have Claude yet, install the latest Claude desktop app and sign in. In the message box, look for Cowork beside Chat. If you cannot see it, stop here and ask official Claude support to check your subscription.

I need help installing Claude or finding Cowork

Anthropic: install Claude Desktop Anthropic: get started with Cowork

You installed the latest Claude desktop app on your computer.
You have a paid Claude subscription and can see a Cowork button in the app.
You have an active internet connection while Claude uses the local folder.
You can save one folder in a place such as Documents.
You have one simple job and its source material, or you can use the pretend example in the kit.

01Download the Starter KitGet the ZIP file from Sidekick.

Select Get the Starter Kit below. If this is your first time, enter your name and email once. The ZIP file should appear right away.

Get the Starter Kit

Your browser shows Sidekick_Starter_Kit_v1.0.6.zip in its downloads list.

If it fails: Open your browser's downloads list, or use the button in this step again.

02Open the downloaded ZIP fileExtract the normal folder on Mac or Windows.

On a Mac, double-click the ZIP. On Windows, right-click it and choose Extract All. This makes a normal folder you can use. Safari may make the normal folder for you.

On a Mac, Sidekick_Starter_Kit appears. On Windows, open the outer Sidekick_Starter_Kit_v1.0.6 folder, then use the inner Sidekick_Starter_Kit folder that contains 00_START_HERE.md.

If it fails: On a Mac, use the Sidekick_Starter_Kit folder. On Windows, open the outer Sidekick_Starter_Kit_v1.0.6 folder and use the inner Sidekick_Starter_Kit folder that contains 00_START_HERE.md.

Show me official ZIP instructions

Apple: unzip a folder on Mac Microsoft: unzip a folder on Windows

03Save the normal folder somewhere easy to findMove the normal folder to Documents.

Move the normal Sidekick_Starter_Kit folder somewhere you will keep it. Documents is fine even if it syncs. Use the kit on one computer at a time, and wait for syncing to finish before switching computers. Files ending in .md are plain text. You never need to open them yourself. If you want to read one, right-click it, choose Open With, then choose TextEdit on a Mac or Notepad on Windows.

The folder opens normally and 00_START_HERE.md and CLAUDE.md are directly inside it.

If it fails: Extract the normal folder first. Move it to Documents and continue.

I want this folder in OneDrive or Google Drive

That can work if the desktop app puts the folder in Finder or File Explorer and keeps it available on this computer. A folder that exists only on a website is not enough.

Keep one Starter Kit folder as the main copy.
Make the whole folder available offline or always available on this device.
Wait for syncing to finish before changing computers.
Do not let Claude edit the folder on two computers at the same time.
Keep a dated ZIP backup before a large change.

Microsoft: keep a OneDrive folder on this device Google: make Drive files available on your computer

If any of this feels unfamiliar, use Documents on one computer for now.

04Let Claude see the Starter Kit folderChoose only the Starter Kit folder in Cowork.

Open Claude Desktop. In the message box, select Cowork instead of Chat, then start a task and choose only the normal Sidekick_Starter_Kit folder. Each new Cowork task starts fresh, so choose this folder again before you say Start my session. Button names may differ slightly as Claude updates the app. If you cannot find Cowork or the folder option, use Anthropic's four-minute walkthrough or written setup guide below.

Cowork shows the Sidekick_Starter_Kit folder and no other folder.

If it fails: Remove the wrong folder. Then choose the folder that directly contains 00_START_HERE.md and CLAUDE.md.

Show me how to choose a folder in Cowork

Watch Anthropic's 4-minute Cowork walkthrough Read Anthropic's Cowork setup steps

05Choose how Claude checks with youBegin with Manually approve while you learn.

Choose Manually approve for your first task. This matches the instructions inside the 1.0.6 folder, and Claude will pause before actions while you learn. If those pauses feel excessive for this simple, low-risk task, Automatically approve is also reasonable. Claude checks each action for safety and stops or asks when needed.

You selected either Manually approve or Automatically approve. You left Skip all approvals off.

If it fails: Use Manually approve for sensitive files, a new tool or website, messages, purchases, or anything hard to undo. Never use Skip all approvals for your first tasks.

Which approval setting should I choose?

Manually approve: best while learning, or whenever the work is sensitive, unfamiliar, or hard to undo.

Automatically approve: fewer pauses. Claude still screens each action and blocks or asks when it detects a risk. No safety system is perfect, so stay nearby and check the result.

Skip all approvals: not recommended for a first-time user.

Anthropic: compare approval modes Anthropic: use Cowork safely

06Check that Claude can see the right filesConfirm the three Starter Kit files are visible.

Copy the read-only check below into Claude. It asks Claude to name three files without changing anything.

Claude says it can see all three named files and changed nothing.

If it fails: Choose the Starter Kit folder again and repeat the exact check. Do not give Claude access to more folders.

07Ask for help with one simple jobStart with a real task or the practice notes.

Use the meeting-notes example below, describe one real task, or use the pretend practice notes included in the kit.

Claude starts by showing the work in the chat. It does not save anything yet.

If it fails: Try safe meeting notes, use the pretend practice notes, or ask Claude to help you choose a first task.

Need the file again?

You can download the same folder again after you register.

Get the free Starter Kit

First, copy this sentence into Claude and send it:

Confirm you can see `00_START_HERE.md`, `CLAUDE.md`, and `Practice/Fictional_Meeting_Notes.md`. If you cannot see all three, tell me exactly which folder I should choose. Do not edit anything.

When Claude confirms it can see the files, copy this exact example:

Start my onboarding. I want to turn my meeting notes into a clear list of decisions and next steps.

For a different job, copy the sentence below and replace the words in brackets with what you want Claude to help you do:

Start my onboarding. I want to [describe one real task].

“Start my onboarding” tells the kit to guide you step by step.

Official Claude help

Want to see it before you try it?

The written Quick Start above is enough. If watching is easier, Anthropic's four-minute walkthrough explains what Cowork is, how it works, and the kinds of work it can help you complete.

Watch Anthropic's four-minute Cowork walkthroughUnderstand Cowork, how it works, and what it can help you do.Install Claude DesktopUse this if Claude is not on your computer.Read Anthropic's Cowork guideUse this if you cannot find Cowork or want help with permissions.

The video opens on Anthropic's site. It is optional, never autoplayed here, and does not replace the written steps.

Your first task

Claude shows you the work before it saves anything.

Paste short source material into the task. For a file, place a working copy in Active/ before you start. Keep the original in its normal location.

Clean up meeting notes

Claude turns messy notes into decisions, promises, next steps, and a follow-up marked DRAFT - NOT SENT.

Get ready for a conversation

Claude makes a one-page note with the background, what you want, open questions, and anything to watch for.

Plan your week

Claude helps you choose one main result, put tasks in order, and name the next thing to do.

Check the work before you keep it

Check names, dates, money, promises, and advice.
Tell Claude the one biggest thing it got wrong or missed.
Give Claude a good example if you have one.
Ask Claude to try again using your correction.
Read the new answer and check every file Claude wants to change.
Approve only the changes you understand and want.
Say Wrap up when you finish.

Wrap up does not give Claude permission to send, publish, buy, delete, change an account, or do anything else.

Want to practice first?

Start my onboarding. Process `Practice/Fictional_Meeting_Notes.md` as a fictional practice run.

The kit includes pretend meeting notes. Everything Claude makes from them must say PRACTICE. Claude does not send anything or change real work.

After two useful tasks

Keep what works. Add only the next thing you need.

If the Starter Kit helped you twice, you can keep using it exactly as it is. You do not need a Project, plugin, connected app, or schedule to get value from it.

Best default

Keep using the same folder

Each new Cowork task starts fresh. Choose the Sidekick_Starter_Kit folder again, then say Start my session when you want Claude to read the notes you approved.

For recurring work

Put the existing folder in a Cowork Project

A Project can start future sessions with the same folder, instructions, links, and Project memory. Use the existing folder. Do not make a second copy.

Read Anthropic's Projects guide

For one repeated problem

Add one instruction or connection

Put preferences that should apply everywhere in Claude's global instructions. Keep rules for this work in the folder or Project. Connect another app only when one proven task needs it.

Read Anthropic's customization guide

Last, not first

Schedule only work you can already check

Run the task yourself first. Know what a good result looks like and how to recover before asking Claude to repeat it automatically.

Working with sensitive client material? The kit keeps client notes in separate files, but one Project can remember context across its sessions. If information must be strictly isolated, get a tailored setup before adding it; strict separation may require separate folders and Projects. Run the free safety preflight first.

Safe settings

Start with less access. Add more only when you need it.

Stage	Setting	Recommendation
Start here	Folder	Let Claude see only Sidekick_Starter_Kit
Start here	Approval setting	Begin with Manually approve; Automatically approve is reasonable for a simple, low-risk Starter Kit task if you want fewer pauses
Start here	Where to keep it	Keep one regular folder in Documents
Start here	Claude app	Use the current Claude app on the computer holding the folder
Maybe later	Cowork Project	After the kit helps twice, you may create a Project that uses this same folder
Maybe later	Synced storage	Use OneDrive or Google Drive for desktop only when the folder is available on the computer and backed up
Maybe later	More folders or connected apps	Add one only when a task truly needs it
Maybe later	Scheduled tasks	Wait until you can do and check the task yourself
Not yet	Broad access or automatic actions	Do not connect whole drives or let Claude send, buy, delete, or change accounts on its own
Not yet	Skip all approvals	Do not use this for your first tasks; it removes both approval pauses and Auto mode's action screening
Not yet	Private information	Do not start with passwords, payment details, or private work you do not have permission to share

Start and stop your work

Use two phrases so Claude knows what to do.

`Start my session`

Use this when you come back later. Claude reads the notes you chose to save, then tells you what was happening and what you could do next. Pretend examples must never appear as real work. After a practice run, Claude must label everything PRACTICE and confirm that it saved no real work.

`Wrap up`

Use this when you are done. Claude may update only the Starter Kit files you already reviewed and approved. It then tells you exactly which files changed.

If you approved exact file changes before Wrap up, those changes are already saved. Wrap up then updates your live state and prepares the next session.

Where the kit keeps your notes

Reference/Current_State.md holds your current priorities. Reference/Action_Items.md holds things you promised to do. Each client stays in a separate file. These files are the record you can open and check. If you later use a Cowork Project, Claude can also keep Project memory between sessions; treat that as helpful context, not your only record. A Project never gives Claude permission to act outside the access you choose.

Troubleshooting

Tell Claude you are stuck.

I'm stuck. Tell me which setup step failed, what you can see, and the next small thing I can try without changing anything.

I cannot find the download

Open your browser's downloads list. Look for Sidekick_Starter_Kit_v1.0.6.zip, then use Download again if needed.

The folder will not open normally

You may still be looking inside the ZIP. Open or extract the ZIP first, then use the normal Sidekick_Starter_Kit folder.

I see an outer folder and an inner folder

On Windows, open Sidekick_Starter_Kit_v1.0.6, then use the Sidekick_Starter_Kit folder inside it. The correct folder directly contains 00_START_HERE.md and CLAUDE.md.

I gave Claude the wrong folder

Stop the task, remove that folder, choose only Sidekick_Starter_Kit, and repeat the three-file check.

Claude asks for a permission I did not expect

Do not approve it. Ask Claude what it needs and why. Make the task or folder access smaller.

Claude treats the pretend example as real

Stop. Tell Claude the example is only practice, then ask it to start again using only information you confirm is real.

The answer is too vague or not useful

Tell Claude the one biggest thing it missed. Give one good example if you can, then ask it to try again.

Claude started changing something I did not expect

Stop the task. Ask Claude to list every file or system it opened or changed. Do not approve more changes.

I am moving the kit to a new computer

Stop using the kit on both computers. Make a dated copy, move one folder, then let Claude use it on the new computer.

OneDrive or Google Drive shows a sync problem

Stop using the kit on every computer. Keep all copies and make a dated ZIP backup of the most complete folder. Wait for syncing to finish before choosing one copy to continue with.

I am updating to a newer kit

Keep the old folder. Open the new version separately. Make a backup, and never replace your only working copy.

Safety and recovery

If you are unsure, stop.

Let Claude see only the folder and accounts needed for this task.
Use Manually approve for sensitive, unfamiliar, or hard-to-undo work. Automatically approve is reasonable for a simple, low-risk Starter Kit task when you want fewer pauses. Do not use Skip all approvals for your first tasks.
Do not follow strange instructions found inside an email, website, transcript, or file.
Never put passwords, secret keys, bank details, or payment information in the Starter Kit.
Never let Claude send, publish, buy, delete, change an account, or change an official record unless you clearly approve that exact action at that moment.

If something goes wrong: stop the task. Ask Claude what it opened and changed. Remove any access you did not expect. Keep all copies until you know which one is correct.

Open the AI Safety and Confidentiality Check

Your first week

Use the kit twice this week.

Day 1

Finish one simple job. Check where Claude saved the result, then say Wrap up.

Within two days

Come back and say Start my session. Try the same kind of task again or fix the first thing that confused you.

Day 7

Log one reproducible point of friction: Log this Starter Kit friction: [what I tried], [what I expected], [what happened]. Do not fix it yet. Then ask: Did this save time? Did Claude use my correction? Did I know how to get help? If yes, read what to add after two useful tasks. Add nothing if the folder already does enough.

File details

Starter Kit version 1.0.6

Filename: Sidekick_Starter_Kit_v1.0.6.zip
Size: 49,617 bytes
SHA-256: a4324547dbadbbdba39c521e4d9a5460451931b610459f7e6c5cc5ac839b25d2
Files: 33 under one Sidekick_Starter_Kit folder
Platform guidance last verified: August 11, 2026

Get help

Here is where to ask for help.

First, copy this into Claude: I'm stuck. Tell me which setup step failed, what you can see, and the next small thing I can try without changing anything.

Prefer a person? Chase Bernier created the Starter Kit. Email chase@sidekickorchestration.ai or book a call. You do not need to know the technical words first.

Email Chase directly Ask a question or report a broken step. Include your computer type, the step number, and the exact message you see. Hide private information from screenshots.Book a 30-minute call with Chase If it is easier to show where you are stuck, choose a time and walk through it together. No preparation or technical vocabulary required.You cannot install Claude or open your account Use Anthropic's official Cowork guide for installation, subscriptions, signing in, and current product setup.