CLI Tips

34 practical Claude Code CLI tips to boost your development efficiency

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This guide compiles 34 practical Claude Code tips, from basic operations to advanced features, helping you maximize Claude Code's potential.

Basic Operations¶

1. Tab Autocomplete for File Paths¶

Press Tab after typing @ to autocomplete file paths—no need to remember full paths.

2. Use @ to Reference Files Precisely¶

> Analyze security in @src/utils/auth.ts
> Compare @v1/api.js with @v2/api.js

Direct file references are more accurate than describing file locations.

3. Pipe Input for Analysis¶

git diff | claude "explain these changes"
cat error.log | claude "analyze error causes"
npm test 2>&1 | claude "analyze test failures"

4. Keyboard Shortcuts¶

5. Use ! for Quick Commands¶

Prefix with ! to execute shell commands directly:

> !git status
> !npm run build

Slash Commands¶

6. /help - View All Commands¶

> /help

Shows all available slash commands and shortcuts.

7. /clear - Clear Conversation¶

> /clear

Clear context before starting new tasks to avoid interference from previous conversations.

8. /compact - Compress History¶

> /compact

Use when context gets too long—compresses history to save tokens while keeping core information.

9. /context - Check Context Usage¶

> /context

Shows current context usage percentage. Consider compacting or starting a new session at 60%.

10. /model - Switch Models¶

> /model opus
> /model sonnet

• Opus 5.5: Complex tasks, architecture design, difficult problems (the current main flagship)

• Sonnet 5.5: Daily coding, quick iterations (cost-effective)

• Haiku 5.5: Lightweight, fast, simple tasks

Aliases (opus / sonnet / haiku) are resolved by Claude Code to the latest version; to pin a model, write the full ID, for example /model claude-opus-5-5, /model claude-sonnet-5-5 or /model claude-haiku-5-5. Use /effort to adjust thinking intensity (see the Adaptive Thinking guide).

11. /memory - Edit Project Memory¶

> /memory

Opens CLAUDE.md file for editing project standards and preferences.

12. /init - Initialize Project Config¶

> /init

Let Claude analyze your project and generate a CLAUDE.md configuration file.

13. Just say "Commit these changes"¶

> Commit these changes

Automatically analyzes changes, generates proper commit messages, and commits.

Note: /commit is not a built-in Claude Code command (it is not in the official built-in command list). It only works if you or a plugin provide a custom command or skill. Otherwise, just ask Claude to commit in natural language.

14. /review - Code Review¶

> /review

Reviews current changes for potential issues.

15. /resume - Resume Session¶

> /resume

Resume a previous conversation session to continue unfinished work.

Context Management¶

As of 2026-10-15, the Claude Code documentation states that Opus 4.7 and later, Sonnet 5 and later, and Haiku 5.5 run with a 1M token context window by default, while Opus 4.6 and Sonnet 4.6 need the [1m] variant and otherwise get 200K. Keep one session focused on one task, use /context to monitor usage, /compact to compress history, and /clear to start fresh.

For detailed context management strategies (including long-session overflow handling) → Context Management

Plan Mode¶

19. Enter Plan Mode¶

Press Shift+Tab to switch to plan mode (three times from the default auto mode, twice from default). Claude will research and create plans without modifying code.

20. Plan Before Execute¶

For complex tasks, have Claude create a plan first:

> Analyze this feature requirement and create an implementation plan, don't write code yet

Confirm the plan before execution to reduce rework.

21. Execute Complex Tasks Step by Step¶

Break large tasks into smaller steps:

> Step 1: Analyze the existing auth system
> Step 2: Design the new JWT approach
> Step 3: Implement core functionality
> Step 4: Add tests

Subagents¶

22. Use Explore Agent for Fast Search¶

The Explore agent specializes in fast codebase searches:

> Use the Explore agent to find all payment handling code

23. Use Plan Agent for Design¶

The Plan agent specializes in implementation planning:

> Use the Plan agent to design the user permission system

24. Background Agents for Parallel Tasks¶

Launch multiple background agents to process tasks in parallel for better efficiency.

CLAUDE.md Configuration¶

CLAUDE.md is a project-level config file that Claude reads automatically on startup. Use /init to generate one, or create it manually. Define code standards, common commands, and project architecture to avoid repeating yourself every session.

Full configuration guide with examples → CLAUDE.md Configuration

Git Workflow¶

28. Smart Commit Messages¶

> Commit these changes

Claude analyzes all changes and generates proper commit messages.

29. Create PR Descriptions¶

> Create a PR description for the current branch

Automatically generates PR descriptions with change summary and test plan.

30. Analyze PR Changes¶

gh pr diff 123 | claude "review this PR"

Testing & Debugging¶

31. Have Claude Write Tests¶

> Write unit tests for @src/services/UserService.ts

Let Claude write tests to verify its own code correctness.

32. Analyze Test Failures¶

npm test 2>&1 | claude "analyze failures and fix"

33. Debug Errors¶

> Analyze this error: [paste error message]
> Debug the issue in @src/pages/Login.tsx

Advanced Tips¶

34. Use Screenshots/Images¶

Claude Code supports image understanding:

> Look at this screenshot @screenshot.png and analyze UI issues

Efficiency Comparison¶

Best Practices Summary¶

1. Be specific: Clearly describe requirements with constraints

2. Use references: Use @ to specify files, avoid guessing

3. Step by step: Break complex tasks into smaller steps

4. Interrupt early: Press Esc immediately if output is wrong

5. Stay focused: One session for one task

6. Compact regularly: Use /compact when context gets long

7. Plan first: Create plans before complex tasks

8. Let AI test: Have Claude write tests to verify its code

Next Steps¶

• Learn Workflow Tips for efficient development processes

• Explore Context Management for long-session and token overflow handling

• Set up CLAUDE.md Configuration to customize Claude's behavior for your project

• Check out Codex Integration to use another AI tool

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