Skill Training Completed
One home lab and 22 sprints, from Claude and IT basics through Windows Server, Azure, Linux, Cisco networking, AWS, cloud and security. Each sprint ends with something you built and someone else can check. Certifications are optional exams along the way.
How it works
Skills first
You learn each skill once, and it counts toward every certification that tests it. Learn DNS once, for example, and it counts toward Network+, AZ-802 and Linux+.
One lab
A VMware Workstation lab with two Windows domain controllers (the servers that handle sign-in), a file server, a Linux router and two Linux servers. You build it in S0 (2 weeks) and use it through S13.
Prove it
Each sprint ends with a deliverable that a study partner reviews. Find a study partner in the kit's Discussions. Book an exam once you meet the readiness checklist in the kit.
Pick a track
All 9 tracks use the same sprints. Your pick sets which ones you do and whether you sit exams. Week counts assume about 8 hours a week. Exam costs are US list prices for one attempt each; see Resources for each exam.
Not sure? Start here
- New to IT, or in help desk or desktop supportTrack F
- Windows Server and AzureTrack B
- Linux serversTrack C
- Security or complianceTrack D
- Networking, or a network operations centerTrack G
- Cloud on AWSTrack H
- Using Claude well in IT workTrack I
- The full path, from the basics upTrack E
- The skills without the examsTrack A
Microsoft
Windows Server and Azure, ending in two Microsoft exams: AZ-802 (Windows Server) and AZ-104 (Azure).
Plan this trackLinux
Linux+, then LPIC-1, LPIC-2 and LPIC-3, with Linux as your main lab work.
Plan this trackEveryone
Every sprint except N1 (Cisco), A1 (AWS), C2 and C3 (Claude): Claude basics, Foundations, then the 14 core sprints, with their exams.
Plan this trackFoundations
New to IT? Start here: Claude basics, then hardware, networking, operating systems and support, with A+ and Network+ along the way. Then pick B, C or D.
Plan this trackNetworking
Cisco routing and switching on top of networking basics, ending in the CCNA. New to IT? Do Track F first.
Plan this trackAWS
Cloud on AWS: the shared lab, networking and cloud architecture, then AWS core services, ending in AWS Solutions Architect – Associate. New to IT? Do Track F first.
Plan this trackClaude
Use Claude well in IT work: Claude basics, the shared lab, Claude Code for your lab scripts, then Skills and agents. No exam; C2 needs a paid Claude plan.
Plan this trackThe 22 sprints
C1 starts every track: it teaches you to use Claude well for study and IT work, and C2 and C3 go further in Track I. F1 to F3 are the Foundations sprints, for people new to IT. The core sprints, S0 to S13, start with Windows and Azure so the AZ-802 exam comes early, and each one adds a short Linux lab alongside the Windows work. N1 is the Cisco sprint for Track G, and A1 the AWS sprint for Track H.
Claude C1 in every track; C2 and C3 for Track I
C1Claude basics2 weeks
Use Claude to study and plan IT work, and check what it tells you.
Labs and deliverableC2Claude for IT work2 weeks
Use Claude Code to write and fix lab scripts, and review every change before you keep it.
Labs and deliverableC3Skills and agents2 weeks
Package a lab chore as a Claude Skill someone else can use, and explain where subagents and MCP fit.
Labs and deliverableFoundations F1 to F3, for people new to IT (Tracks F and E)
F1Hardware, devices and troubleshooting3 weeks
Identify, install and troubleshoot PC, laptop, mobile and printer hardware with one troubleshooting method.
Labs and deliverableF2Networking fundamentals4 weeks
Explain how data moves, build a small switched and routed network, and troubleshoot it from cable to application.
Labs and deliverableF3Operating systems, security and support3 weeks
Install and support Windows, find your way around macOS and Linux, remove malware and close a support ticket.
Labs and deliverableCore sprints S0 to S13, the shared lab and most of the exams
S0Lab and foundations2 weeks
A working lab you can roll back with snapshots, and comfort with the command line on Windows and Linux.
Labs and deliverableS1Networking and name resolution3 weeks
Design and troubleshoot addressing, DNS and DHCP on both platforms.
Labs and deliverableS2Identity and directory services4 weeks
Build and run an Active Directory domain and manage its users and computers with Group Policy.
Labs and deliverableS3Hybrid identity and governance3 weeks
Connect on-premises identity to the cloud and control access and cost there.
Labs and deliverableS4Compute and virtualization3 weeks
Deploy and manage servers on-premises and in Azure, and explain when each one fits.
Labs and deliverableS5Storage and file services3 weeks
Provide and protect storage for users and workloads on-premises and in Azure.
Labs and deliverableS6Security and hardening3 weeks
Measure a server against a baseline and fix the gaps.
Labs and deliverableS7Monitoring, backup and troubleshooting3 weeks
Watch systems, restore them, and trace faults step by step.
Labs and deliverableS8Automation and infrastructure as code3 weeks
Build repeatable environments from code instead of by hand.
Labs and deliverableS9Cloud architecture and operations3 weeks
Choose a cloud design for a given workload and defend its cost, risk and migration plan.
Labs and deliverableS10Linux services and advanced administration4 weeks
Run the core network services and manage boot, kernel and capacity on Linux.
Labs and deliverableS11Security operations, governance and risk3 weeks
Detect and respond to incidents and explain security in business terms.
Labs and deliverableS12Containers, virtualization and high availability4 weeks
Run and secure containers and design for availability.
Labs and deliverableS13Capstone3 weeks
One environment that uses every earlier sprint, reviewed by a peer.
Labs and deliverableNetworking N1, the Cisco sprint for Track G
N1Cisco routing and switching4 weeks
Build, secure and troubleshoot a small Cisco campus network, and check what automation and AI tools produce.
Labs and deliverableAWS A1, the AWS sprint for Track H
A1AWS core services4 weeks
Design and build a secure, resilient AWS environment and defend what it costs.
Labs and deliverableCertifications covered
- CompTIA A+IT support: hardware, operating systems and troubleshooting (two exams)
- CompTIA Network+Networking basics, for any vendor
- Cisco CCNACisco routing and switching
- AWS Solutions Architect – AssociateDesigning secure, resilient systems on AWS
- Microsoft AZ-802Windows Server administration
- Microsoft AZ-104Azure administration
- CompTIA Cloud+Cloud operations, for any provider
- CompTIA Security+Core security skills
- CompTIA Linux+Linux administration
- LPIC-1Linux administration, from the Linux Professional Institute (two exams)
- LPIC-2Advanced Linux administration (two exams)
- LPIC-3Senior Linux: one specialty exam
Exam versions and retirement dates change. Re-check the official Microsoft, CompTIA, Cisco, AWS and LPI pages before booking. Security+ v8 arrives on November 17, 2026, and CCNA v2.0 on February 3, 2027, so study their objectives. Study links for each exam are on the Resources page.
Take it with you
The whole study kit is free to download: sprint plan, track guide, lab layout, skill map, assessment rubric and a progress template.
Use it with your own Claude
- Download the kit and unzip it.
- Add the files to a Claude Project as knowledge.
- Ask Claude to coach you through one sprint at a time and check your deliverables.