Claude Code generated this blog

As a developer always on the lookout for efficient ways to kickstart projects, I recently dove into using Claude Code for a blog setup. Here's my journey, from initial hesitation to a functioning blog deployed on Cloudflare Pages.

The Initial Plunge

I'll admit, I was nervous when inputting my credit card details. The uncertainty of potential costs loomed large, but curiosity won out. My goal was clear: I wanted to use Cloudflare Pages, something I'd been eyeing for a while, coupled with Node.js for markdown-to-HTML conversion.

Why Claude Code?

My objective wasn't to become an expert in Node.js static site generation. I deliberately avoided higher-level libraries like Hexo or Jekyll, wary of potential lock-in and customization hurdles. What I needed was a set of Node.js scripts to process markdown files, with a particular emphasis on syntax highlighting.

The Claude Code Experience

Claude Code quickly proved its worth:

Rapid Prototyping: It swiftly set up the directory structure and base scripts, saving me significant time and headaches in finding the right boilerplate.
Customization Potential: The generated code serves as a solid foundation that I can easily modify in the future.
Cost-Effective: At around $10, the time saved justified the expense.

The Development Process

Here's how it unfolded:

I requested Node.js scripts for markdown-to-HTML conversion.
Claude Code generated a basic HTML template with markdown processing and syntax highlighting capabilities.
The AI set up the project directory and added necessary npm packages.

Package Insights

Claude Code included the following packages:

{
  "dependencies": {
    "cheerio": "^1.0.0",
    "commander": "^13.1.0",
    "dotenv": "^16.4.7",
    "front-matter": "^4.0.2",
    "fs-extra": "^11.3.0",
    "gray-matter": "^4.0.3",
    "highlight.js": "^11.11.1",
    "marked": "^15.0.7",
    "marked-highlight": "^2.2.1",
    "node-fetch": "^3.3.2",
    "nunjucks": "^3.2.4",
    "sanitize-html": "^2.14.0",
    "sass": "^1.85.1"
  }
}

While some packages like cheerio and node-fetch seemed superfluous, the overall setup was alright.

Hiccups and Solutions

The main challenge arose with syntax highlighting. Claude Code struggled, failing multiple times. I had to research and implement the solution myself, leveraging Claude's assistance for troubleshooting.

Deployment with Cloudflare Pages

To complete the project, I used Claude to research Cloudflare Pages deployment. After signing up, I successfully deployed the blog using wrangler.

The Bottom Line

For about $9.50, Claude Code generated me a okay looking blog layout. Using Claude, I learnt how to setup a working deployment on Cloudflare Pages. You're reading the result right now!

Pro Tip

Using /init in Claude Code may help reduce costs by saving on input tokens. It's worth exploring for potentially more economical interactions. (Thanks U-Zyn!)

While not perfect, Claude Code proved to be a valuable tool for rapidly prototyping and deploying a custom blog. It bridged the gap between my ideas and implementation, allowing me to focus on content creation rather than getting bogged down in initial setup details.

KahWee