Tutorials3 min read
Build Your First Website With a Coding Agent, No Coding Needed
Step by step to build a simple website with Claude Code, Codex or Cursor even if you've never coded: install, ask, review, fix and publish.
In short
- Pick the tool. Claude Code or Codex if you're up for the terminal; Cursor if you prefer a visual editor.
- Install it and create a folder. Install the tool and open an empty folder for the project.
- Describe the website. Explain what you want, for whom and how it should look, and ask for a plan before code.
- Review in the browser. Open the site, test every part and ask for specific changes.
- Keep versions. Use git or copies so you can go back if something breaks.
- Publish it. Ask the agent to guide you through uploading it to a free static hosting service.
Two years ago, making a website without coding meant using a template. Today you can describe it in words and a coding agent builds it: it creates the files, writes the code, tests it and fixes it. This way of working is called vibe coding. It works very well for simple websites, prototypes and personal tools, as long as you review what it does.
Step 1: pick the tool
| Tool | How you use it | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Claude Code | In the terminal, in VS Code or in the desktop app | Needs a paid Claude plan or API |
| Codex | In the terminal, the editor or the cloud | Included in ChatGPT plans, with limits |
| Cursor | Visual code editor with a built-in agent | Free plan; individual $20 a month |
If you’ve never opened a terminal, Cursor or the Claude desktop app will feel friendlier. If you’re up for it, Claude Code and Codex install with one command. We compare all three in coding agents compared.
Step 2: install and create a folder
- Claude Code (macOS, Linux or WSL):
curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash. On Windows, from PowerShell:irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex. Then runclaudeinside the project folder. - Codex (macOS or Linux):
curl -fsSL https://chatgpt.com/codex/install.sh | sh, thencodexin the folder; the first time, choose Sign in with ChatGPT. - Cursor: download it from cursor.com, open an empty folder and use the agent panel.
Create an empty folder, for example my-site, and open the tool inside it.
Step 3: describe the site and ask for a plan
Don’t start with “make me a website”. Describe it:
“I want a one-page website for my yoga class in [city]. It should have: an introduction, schedule, prices, three student reviews I’ll give you and a button to message me on WhatsApp. Calm style, earthy colours, looks good on mobile. Use only HTML, CSS and JavaScript, no dependencies. Before writing code, propose a plan and wait for my approval.”
Asking for the plan before the code lets you correct course while it’s still cheap.
Step 4: review and ask for specific changes
Open index.html in the browser (or ask the agent to start a local server and give you the address). Test everything, on mobile too. And ask for specific changes:
- “The WhatsApp button isn’t visible on mobile; make it fixed at the bottom right.”
- “Put the schedule in a table with days as rows.”
- “Explain what each file does, one sentence each.”
That last request is gold: you’ll learn how your site is built.
Step 5: keep versions
Ask: “initialise a git repository and commit every change that works”. If something breaks, you can go back. If you don’t want git, at least copy the folder whenever something works.
Step 6: publish it
A site like this (only HTML, CSS and JavaScript) can be hosted for free on static hosting services. Ask the agent: “guide me step by step to publish this site on a free static hosting service, explaining each step”. Before publishing, check there’s no personal data you don’t want to show.
What the agent won’t do for you
- Decide what you want. The clearer you are, the better it turns out.
- Guarantee security. For forms with data, payments or user accounts, get professional help.
- Know whether it’s right. Test everything as a visitor would.
Also read agent safety: a coding agent runs commands on your computer, so give it only the permissions it needs.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost?
Claude Code needs a paid Claude plan (Pro or above) or an API account; Codex is included in ChatGPT plans with limits by plan; Cursor has a free plan and a $20 a month individual plan.
Will the website be secure?
For a static informational site, the risk is low. If you'll store user data, take payments or have forms, get it reviewed by someone who knows: an agent can introduce security flaws without you noticing.
