Claude Code/Cheat Sheet

Other articles

AI Development Tools AI Prompts & Agents AI Workflows & Patterns Claude Code Claude Code/Cheat Sheet Codex CLI Gemini CLI Local LLMs MCP Server Spec-Kit

Keyboard / UI

shift-tab        # normal- / auto-accept- / planning-Mode
ctrl-R           # detailed output
esc-esc          # jump to previous message

ctrl-esc         # quick launch from ide (not working!)

/commands (built-in)

/clear                           # Clear conversation history
/ide
/cost                            # Show costs of current session
/agents                          # Manage agents

@filename.txt                    # @file mention
# always write unit tests        # Add to memory
!ls                              # Run bash commands

/init                            # initialize CLAUDE.md
/output-style                    # Default, Explanatory, Learning

/commands (custom)

/command1 [argument]             # .claude/commands/command1.md (project command)
/command2 [argument]             # ~/.claude/commands/command2.md (user command)

                                 # commands in subfolders
/frontend:test                   # .claude/commands/frontend/test.md 

                                 # arguments
/fix-issue 123                   # $ARGUMENTS <- 123

/commands (mcp)

/mcp                             # list mcp servers
/mcp__github__list_prs

Memory file (CLAUDE.md)

IMPORTANT        # emphasis
@README.md       # link to files

thinking

think
think more, think a lot, think harder, think longer
ultrathink

CLI

claude --dangerously-skip-permissions

claude [options] [command] [prompt]
claude -p                              # print response and exit
claude -p "Whats my age again?"

Mechanisms

Claude Code Features Comparison

Feature	Invocation	Context	Use When	Location	Example Use Cases
Sub-Agents	Automatic OR explicit	Separate context window per agent	You need specialized AI for specific task types with focused tools/prompts	`.claude/agents/` or `~/.claude/agents/`	Code reviewer, debugger, data analyst - tasks requiring expertise with own context
Slash Commands	Explicit (`/command`)	Adds to current conversation	You repeat the same prompt frequently and want quick access	`.claude/commands/` or `~/.claude/commands/`	`/review`, `/optimize`, `/commit` - simple prompts you invoke manually
Skills	Automatic (Claude decides)	Progressive disclosure (loads files as needed)	Complex multi-file capability that Claude should discover automatically	`.claude/skills/` or `~/.claude/skills/`	PDF processing, Excel analysis - capabilities with scripts/docs Claude auto-invokes
CLAUDE.md	Automatic (loaded at startup)	Always in context	Persistent memory, preferences, conventions across sessions	`CLAUDE.md`, `.claude/CLAUDE.md`, `~/.claude/CLAUDE.md`	Coding standards, architecture patterns, frequently used commands, team conventions
Output Styles	Manual (`/output-style`)	Replaces system prompt	Change Claude's overall personality/behavior for entire session	`.claude/output-styles/` or `~/.claude/output-styles/`	Learning mode, explanatory mode, non-coding tasks (writing, research, etc.)