Creating a calculator with Claude and deploying with Pagelet

Claude can help you generate a calculator, and Pagelet offers an easy way to deploy it. In this article we will create a mortgage calculator.Here's how to do it:

1. Generate the Calculator Code

Start a conversation with Claude and use the following prompt:

Generate a simple HTML and CSS code for a mortage calculator. Include a header, navigation menu, main content area, and footer. The website should be about [your topic]. Use modern, responsive design principles.

Claude will provide you with the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code. You can further refine it by asking for specific changes or additions.

2. Refine and Customize

Continue to iterate with Claude, asking for specific changes or enhancements until you're satisfied with the result. Here are some examples of how you might refine your calculator:

1. Add specific features: "Claude, can you add a 'Clear' button that resets all input fields?"

2. Modify the design: "Please update the CSS to use a dark theme with light text."

3. Improve user experience: "Can you add input validation to ensure users enter valid numbers?"

4. Extend functionality: "Add an option to calculate monthly payments for different compounding periods (annually, semi-annually, quarterly, monthly)."

5. Optimize for mobile: "Adjust the layout to be more mobile-friendly with larger buttons and inputs."

Example conversation:

You: Can you add error handling to display a message if the user enters invalid input?

Claude: Certainly! I'll modify the JavaScript to include error handling. Here's the updated calculateMortgage function:

javascript
function calculateMortgage() {
const loanAmount = parseFloat(document.getElementById('loanAmount').value);
const interestRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('interestRate').value);
const loanTerm = parseFloat(document.getElementById('loanTerm').value);
const resultElement = document.getElementById('monthlyPayment');
if (isNaN(loanAmount) || isNaN(interestRate) || isNaN(loanTerm)) {
resultElement.textContent = 'Error: Please enter valid numbers for all fields.';
resultElement.style.color = 'red';
return;
}
if (loanAmount <= 0 || interestRate <= 0 || loanTerm <= 0) {
resultElement.textContent = 'Error: All values must be greater than zero.';
resultElement.style.color = 'red';
return;
}
const monthlyRate = interestRate / 100 / 12;
const numberOfPayments = loanTerm 12;
const monthlyPayment = (loanAmount monthlyRate Math.pow(1 + monthlyRate, numberOfPayments)) / (Math.pow(1 + monthlyRate, numberOfPayments) - 1);
resultElement.textContent = Monthly Payment: $${monthlyPayment.toFixed(2)};
resultElement.style.color = 'green';
}

You: Great! Now can you add a 'Clear' button to reset all inputs?

Claude: Certainly! I'll add a 'Clear' button and the necessary JavaScript function to reset all inputs. Here's the updated HTML and JavaScript:

<!-- Add this button to your HTML -->
<button onclick="clearInputs()">Clear</button>
<!-- Add this JavaScript function -->
<script>
function clearInputs() {
document.getElementById('loanAmount').value = '';
document.getElementById('interestRate').value = '';
document.getElementById('loanTerm').value = '';
document.getElementById('monthlyPayment').textContent = '';
}
</script>

Continue this process, asking for specific changes or additions until your calculator meets all your requirements.

3. Save the Code

Copy the final HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code into a single file named calculator.html.

4. Deploy with Pagelet

Now that you have your calculator code, follow these steps to deploy it using Pagelet:

1. Visit Pagelet.host.
2. Drag and drop your calculator.html file into the upload area.
3. Wait for the upload to complete.
4. You'll receive a unique URL for your hosted calculator.

5. Share Your Calculator

Your calculator is now live! Share the URL with anyone you want to use your calculator. Pagelet also provides a QR code for easy sharing.

Subexample: Mortgage Calculator

Here's a brief explanation of the mortgage calculator function included in your code:

javascript
function calculateMortgage() {
const loanAmount = parseFloat(document.getElementById('loanAmount').value);
const interestRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('interestRate').value) / 100 / 12;
const loanTerm = parseFloat(document.getElementById('loanTerm').value) 12;
const monthlyPayment = (loanAmount interestRate Math.pow(1 + interestRate, loanTerm)) / (Math.pow(1 + interestRate, loanTerm) - 1);
document.getElementById('monthlyPayment').textContent = Monthly Payment: $${monthlyPayment.toFixed(2)};
}

This function calculates the monthly mortgage payment based on the loan amount, annual interest rate, and loan term in years. It uses the standard mortgage payment formula and updates the result in real-time.

By using AI for code generation and Pagelet for quick deployment, you can have a functional calculator up and running in no time. Happy calculating!