Claude Code Essential Features Guide

claude-code.md

Claude Code Essential Features Guide

1. Plan Mode

Purpose: Read-only exploration before making changes. Claude analyzes codebase, creates plan, asks questions — no edits until you approve.

Usage:

claude --plan              # Start in plan mode
# or type "plan" at prompt to enter plan mode

Workflow:

1. Claude explores code (read-only)
2. Creates .claude/plan.md with approach
3. Lists unresolved questions
4. You review/edit plan
5. Approve to execute

Best for: Complex features, unfamiliar codebases, risky changes.

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2. Context Management

/context

Shows context window usage as visual grid. Monitor this — quality degrades as it fills.

/compact [instructions]

Summarizes conversation to free context. Optional instructions preserve specific topics.

/compact focus on authentication logic

/clear

Wipes conversation completely. Better than /compact when switching tasks.

Pro tip: /clear between tasks. Don't let context fill with irrelevant history.

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3. Memory & Configuration

/memory

Opens CLAUDE.md for editing. Stores project conventions, decisions, preferences.

/init

Scans project, generates starter CLAUDE.md. Run in new repos.

Quick memory (deprecated)

# prefix for quick memory was removed. Use /memory or ask Claude to edit CLAUDE.md.

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4. Session Management

/resume [name]

Resume previous session. Sessions auto-save.

claude --resume            # Pick from list
claude --continue          # Resume last session
claude -c                  # Shorthand for --continue

/rename

Give current session memorable name for later.

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5. Extended Thinking

Trigger deeper reasoning with keywords:

• think — basic
• think hard — more
• think harder — even more
• ultrathink — maximum budget

Example: "Think hard about the best approach for this refactor."

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6. Keyboard Shortcuts

Key	Action
Esc	Interrupt Claude (preserves context)
Esc Esc	Rewind to edit previous prompt
Tab	Toggle thinking visibility
Shift+Tab	Toggle modes
Ctrl+C	Cancel
Ctrl+R	Search history
↑	Navigate previous messages

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7. Quick Syntax

Syntax	Purpose
@path/to/file	Reference file in prompt
!command	Run bash directly (bypasses Claude)
/command	Slash commands

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8. Custom Slash Commands

Create in .claude/commands/ (project) or ~/.claude/commands/ (global).

Example .claude/commands/review.md:

---
description: Code review for current changes
---
Review recent changes for:
1. Security vulnerabilities
2. Performance issues
3. Code style violations

Use: /review

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9. Subagents

Spawn separate Claude instances with own context. Main agent stays clean.

Claude auto-spawns for web search, exploration. You can also request: "Use a subagent to research X"

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10. Useful CLI Flags

claude --plan                    # Start in plan mode
claude --continue / -c           # Resume last session
claude --resume                  # Pick session to resume
claude --dangerously-skip-permissions  # Skip all permission prompts
claude -p "prompt"               # Headless mode (no interactive UI)

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Recommended Workflow for Multi-Step Features

1. Start task: Read .claude/tasks.md, pick next task
2. Plan mode: For complex tasks, use --plan first
3. Execute: Approve plan, let Claude work
4. Monitor: Watch /context, use /compact at 70%+
5. Checkpoint: Update .claude/progress.md
6. Clear: /clear before next task