Claude Code Cheat Sheet | Vibecoding.cz

Install & first run

Official install paths as of April 15, 2026:

Command	Details
Standard NPM install `npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code`	Official standard install path. Avoid sudo.
Native install (beta) `curl -fsSL claude.ai/install.sh \| bash`	macOS, Linux, and WSL beta install path.
Windows PowerShell `irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 \| iex`	Native Windows PowerShell install path.
Health check `claude doctor`	Verify installation type and fix common issues.

High-signal starter prompts

Good first prompts to keep Claude useful and scoped:

Codebase orientation

Explain this project architecture, key entry points, build/test commands, and the files I should read first.

Safe implementation start

Before coding, inspect the repo, identify the relevant files, propose the smallest safe plan, then implement it and run verification.

Targeted bug hunt

Investigate this failure, find the root cause, patch it with the smallest change that fixes it, and explain the regression risk.

CLI launch patterns

Launch-time patterns worth memorizing:

CLI launch patterns

Command	Purpose	Category
`claude`	Start interactive REPL	Interactive
`claude "query"`	Start REPL with an initial prompt	Interactive
`claude -p "query"`	One-shot query, then exit	Non-interactive
`cat file \| claude -p "query"`	Pipe content into print mode	Non-interactive
`claude -c`	Continue the most recent conversation	Session
`claude -c -p "query"`	Continue via SDK / print mode	Session
`claude -r "<session-id>" "query"`	Resume a specific session by ID	Session
`claude update`	Update Claude Code to latest version	Maintenance
`claude mcp`	Configure MCP servers from the CLI	MCP
`claude agents`	List all sessions — running, blocked, or done (Agent View, research preview)	Agents
`claude project purge [path]`	Delete all Claude Code state for a project (transcripts, tasks, file history, config); supports --dry-run	Maintenance
`claude ultrareview [target]`	Run /ultrareview non-interactively from CI or scripts; prints findings to stdout	Review

Flags

Command	Purpose
`--verbose`	Verbose turn-by-turn logging
`--max-turns`	Limit agentic turns in print mode
`--model`	Override model for the current launch
`--permission-mode`	Start in default / plan / auto / bypass-style mode
`--permission-prompt-tool`	Use an MCP tool to answer permission prompts in non-interactive mode
`--resume`	Resume a specific session by ID
`--continue`	Resume the latest conversation in the current directory
`--dangerously-skip-permissions`	Skip permission prompts; use with caution
`--output-format json`	Machine-readable output for scripting

Built-in commands

Built-in commands documented in the current Commands reference:

Command	Purpose	Category	Availability
`/add-dir <path>`	Add a working directory for file access	Context	Built-in
`/agents`	Manage agent configurations	Agents	Built-in
`/autofix-pr [prompt]`	Watch a PR remotely and push fixes for CI / review feedback	Automation	Plan / platform specific
`/batch <instruction>`	Parallel large-scale codebase change orchestration	Bundled skill	Bundled skill
`/branch [name]`	Fork the current conversation into a branch	Session	Built-in
`/btw <question>`	Ask a side question without polluting main context	Context	Built-in
`/chrome`	Configure Claude in Chrome settings	Platform	Plan / platform specific
`/claude-api`	Load Claude API reference for the project language	Bundled skill	Bundled skill
`/clear`	Clear conversation history and free context	Session	Built-in
`/color [color\|default]`	Set the prompt bar color for this session	UI	Built-in
`/compact [instructions]`	Compact the conversation with optional focus	Context	Built-in
`/config`	Open the settings UI	Settings	Built-in
`/context`	Visualize context usage and optimization hints	Context	Built-in
`/copy [N]`	Copy the latest assistant response or code block	Utility	Built-in
`/cost`	Show token usage statistics	Usage	Built-in
`/debug [description]`	Enable debug logging and investigate session issues	Bundled skill	Bundled skill
`/desktop`	Continue the session in the desktop app	Platform	Plan / platform specific
`/diff`	Open the interactive diff viewer	Review	Built-in
`/doctor`	Diagnose installation and settings	Maintenance	Built-in
`/effort [low\|medium\|high\|max\|auto]`	Change effort level immediately	Model	Built-in
`/exit`	Exit the CLI	Session	Built-in
`/export [filename]`	Export the current conversation	Utility	Built-in
`/extra-usage`	Configure extra usage beyond limits	Usage	Plan / platform specific
`/fast [on\|off]`	Toggle fast mode	Model	Plan / platform specific
`/feedback [report]`	Send feedback or a bug report	Utility	Built-in
`/goal <condition>`	Set a completion condition — Claude keeps working across turns until it's met; shows live elapsed/turns/tokens overlay	Autonomous	Built-in
`/help`	Show help and available commands	Utility	Built-in
`/hooks`	Inspect configured hooks	Hooks	Built-in
`/ide`	Manage IDE integration and status	IDE	Built-in
`/init`	Generate CLAUDE.md guidance for the project	Setup	Built-in
`/insights`	Analyze Claude Code session patterns	Usage	Built-in
`/install-github-app`	Set up the Claude GitHub Actions app	Automation	Plan / platform specific
`/install-slack-app`	Install the Claude Slack app	Automation	Plan / platform specific
`/keybindings`	Open keybindings configuration	Settings	Built-in
`/login`	Sign in to your Anthropic account	Auth	Built-in
`/logout`	Sign out from Anthropic account	Auth	Built-in
`/loop [interval] [prompt]`	Run a prompt repeatedly while the session stays open	Bundled skill	Bundled skill
`/mcp`	Manage MCP connections and OAuth	MCP	Built-in
`/memory`	Edit memory files and auto-memory settings	Memory	Built-in
`/mobile`	Show QR code for the Claude mobile app	Platform	Plan / platform specific
`/model [model]`	Change the model immediately	Model	Built-in
`/passes`	Share a free week of Claude Code	Plan	Plan / platform specific
`/permissions`	Manage allow / ask / deny rules and working dirs	Settings	Built-in
`/plan [description]`	Enter plan mode directly	Planning	Built-in
`/plugin`	Manage Claude Code plugins	Plugins	Built-in
`/powerup`	Interactive feature lessons	Learning	Built-in
`/pr-comments [PR]`	Removed in v2.1.91; ask Claude directly instead	Review	Deprecated / removed
`/privacy-settings`	Manage privacy settings	Privacy	Plan / platform specific
`/release-notes`	Open the changelog picker	Maintenance	Built-in
`/reload-plugins`	Reload active plugins without restart	Plugins	Built-in
`/remote-control`	Expose this session to claude.ai remote control	Remote	Plan / platform specific
`/remote-env`	Choose the default remote web environment	Remote	Plan / platform specific
`/rename [name]`	Rename the current session	Session	Built-in
`/resume [session]`	Resume a session by ID, name, or picker	Session	Built-in
`/review`	Deprecated; install the code-review plugin instead	Review	Deprecated / removed
`/rewind`	Rewind conversation and/or code to a checkpoint	Session	Built-in
`/sandbox`	Toggle sandbox mode where supported	Safety	Plan / platform specific
`/schedule [description]`	Create and manage routines	Automation	Built-in
`/scroll-speed [value]`	Tune mouse wheel scroll speed with a live preview	UI	Built-in
`/security-review`	Review current changes for security issues	Review	Built-in
`/setup-bedrock`	Configure Amazon Bedrock auth and model pins	Providers	Plan / platform specific
`/setup-vertex`	Configure Google Vertex AI auth and model pins	Providers	Plan / platform specific
`/simplify [focus]`	Review recent changes for reuse and quality, then fix them	Bundled skill	Bundled skill
`/skills`	List available skills	Skills	Built-in
`/stats`	Show usage history, streaks, and model preferences	Usage	Built-in
`/status`	Open status view with version, model, account, connectivity	Settings	Built-in
`/statusline`	Configure the status line	UI	Built-in
`/stickers`	Order Claude Code stickers	Fun	Plan / platform specific
`/tasks`	List and manage background tasks	Tasks	Built-in
`/team-onboarding`	Generate a teammate onboarding guide from usage history	Team	Built-in
`/teleport`	Pull a Claude Code web session into the terminal	Remote	Plan / platform specific
`/terminal-setup`	Configure Shift+Enter and terminal-specific shortcuts	Settings	Built-in
`/theme`	Change theme, including daltonized and ANSI themes	UI	Built-in
`/ultraplan <prompt>`	Draft a plan in a browser-backed ultraplan session	Planning	Plan / platform specific
`/upgrade`	Open the upgrade page for a higher plan	Plan	Plan / platform specific
`/usage`	Show plan usage and rate limits	Usage	Built-in
`/vim`	Removed in v2.1.92; use /config → Editor mode	Settings	Deprecated / removed
`/voice`	Toggle push-to-talk voice dictation	Input	Plan / platform specific
`/web-setup`	Connect GitHub account for Claude Code on the web	Remote	Plan / platform specific
`/mcp__<server>__<prompt>`	Prompt exposed dynamically by an MCP server	MCP	Built-in

Keyboard & input

Interactive controls from current Interactive mode docs:

Shortcut	Action
`Ctrl+C`	Cancel current input or generation
`Ctrl+D`	Exit Claude Code
`Ctrl+L`	Clear terminal screen, keep history
`Esc Esc`	Edit the previous message
`Shift+Tab`	Cycle permission modes
`\ + Enter`	Multiline input in every terminal
`Option+Enter`	Default multiline on macOS
`Shift+Enter`	Works out of the box in iTerm2, WezTerm, Ghostty, Kitty
`Ctrl+O`	Open transcript viewer
`/, !, @`	Slash command, Bash mode, file / resource mention

Memory, paths & scope

Where Claude stores memory and project-level behavior:

Path / key	Scope	Details
`./CLAUDE.md or ./.claude/CLAUDE.md`	Shared project instructions	Project architecture, coding standards, common workflows; committed with the repo.
`./CLAUDE.local.md`	Personal project instructions	Project-specific but not team-shared; add to .gitignore.
`~/.claude/CLAUDE.md`	User instructions	Your personal defaults across every project.
`.claude/settings.json`	Shared project settings	Team-visible settings such as permissions, hooks, shared MCP behavior.
`.claude/settings.local.json`	Local project settings	Personal preferences for this repo; automatically gitignored when Claude creates it.
`~/.claude/settings.json`	User settings	Applies to all projects on your machine.
`~/.claude.json`	Global config	Holds global keys like editor mode and IDE auto-connect, not regular settings.json keys.
`.mcp.json`	Shared MCP project config	Project-scoped MCP server definitions shared with the repo.
`~/.claude/skills/<name>/SKILL.md`	Personal skills	Reusable skills across all projects.
`.claude/skills/<name>/SKILL.md`	Project skills	Repo-local skills for the current codebase.
`~/.claude/agents/ and .claude/agents/`	Subagent definitions	User-wide and project-wide custom subagents.

Settings & permissions

The settings system is hierarchical. Put team defaults in shared files, personal tweaks in local or user scope.

Hierarchy

~/.claude/settings.json User settings across every project
.claude/settings.json Shared project settings
.claude/settings.local.json Personal settings for one repo
managed-settings.json Enterprise policy, highest precedence

Core top-level settings

autoMode Classifier rules for auto mode
autoUpdatesChannel stable vs latest update stream
availableModels Restrict selectable models
cleanupPeriodDays Session retention and orphan cleanup
defaultShell Shell for ! commands
effortLevel Persist low / medium / high effort
env Environment variables applied to each session
fastModePerSessionOptIn Require /fast each session
fileSuggestion Custom script for @ autocomplete
language Preferred response language
model Default model override
modelOverrides Map Anthropic IDs to provider-specific IDs
outputStyle Default / Explanatory / Learning / custom style
plansDirectory Store generated plans elsewhere
prefersReducedMotion Accessibility and reduced animation
respectGitignore Apply .gitignore to @ picker suggestions
statusLine Custom status line command / renderer
useAutoModeDuringPlan Auto-mode semantics during plan mode
viewMode Default transcript view mode
voiceEnabled Push-to-talk voice dictation

Security / policy settings

permissions allow / ask / deny / additionalDirectories / defaultMode
disableAllHooks Turn off hooks and custom status line
disableAutoMode Forbid auto mode entirely
disableDeepLinkRegistration Disable claude-cli:// handler registration
disableSkillShellExecution Block inline shell execution inside skills
enableAllProjectMcpServers Auto-approve all project MCP servers
enabledMcpjsonServers Allowlist specific .mcp.json servers
disabledMcpjsonServers Reject specific .mcp.json servers
deniedMcpServers Managed denylist for MCP servers
forceLoginMethod Restrict to claude.ai or console login
forceLoginOrgUUID Require membership in specific org UUIDs
httpHookAllowedEnvVars Allowlist vars interpolated into HTTP hooks

Global config in ~/.claude.json

autoConnectIde Auto-connect to IDE from external terminal
autoInstallIdeExtension Install IDE extension automatically
editorMode normal or vim input mode
showTurnDuration Display per-turn duration
terminalProgressBarEnabled Enable progress bar in supported terminals
teammateMode How agent-team teammates are displayed

Worktree settings

worktree.symlinkDirectories Symlink large directories like node_modules
worktree.sparsePaths Use sparse checkout for large monorepos
.worktreeinclude Copy gitignored files such as .env into new worktrees

Permission modes

default Normal interactive behavior
acceptEdits Good for trusted repo edits with fewer interruptions
plan Planning first, implementation only after approval
auto Classifier-driven auto mode where available
dontAsk Aggressive reduced prompting
bypassPermissions Highest-risk mode; can be disabled by policy

Permission rule patterns

Bash(git diff *) Allow safe inspection commands
Bash(git push *) Ask before pushes
Read(./.env) Hide secrets completely
Read(./secrets/**) Hide secret directories completely
Skill(deploy *) Deny risky deployment skills unless explicit
WebFetch Disable outbound fetches if policy requires it

Useful environment variables

ANTHROPIC_API_KEY Override subscription auth with API usage
ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL Route requests through a proxy or gateway
CLAUDE_CODE_NEW_INIT Interactive /init flow with memory, skills, and hooks
CLAUDE_CONFIG_DIR Use a different config directory for a second account / profile
CLAUDE_ENV_FILE Persist environment variables across Bash commands
CLAUDE_CODE_USE_BEDROCK Use Amazon Bedrock provider
CLAUDE_CODE_USE_VERTEX Use Google Vertex AI provider
CLAUDE_CODE_USE_POWERSHELL_TOOL Enable native PowerShell tool on Windows
CLAUDE_CODE_TASK_LIST_ID Share a task list across sessions
CLAUDE_CODE_NO_FLICKER Enable fullscreen rendering research preview
CLAUDE_CODE_SYNTAX_HIGHLIGHT Disable syntax highlighting if terminal colors misbehave
CLAUDE_ENABLE_STREAM_WATCHDOG Abort hung streams in automation scenarios

Hooks

Hooks are lifecycle automations defined in settings JSON. Keep SessionStart fast; use CLAUDE.md for static context.

Event	When it fires	Notes
`SessionStart`	On new or resumed session	Only command hooks; keep it fast. Prefer CLAUDE.md for static context.
`PreToolUse`	Before a tool runs	Can allow, deny, escalate, mutate input, or inject extra context.
`PermissionRequest`	When Claude needs approval	Can answer permission prompts programmatically.
`PostToolUse`	After a tool finishes	Good for logging, async checks, and post-processing.
`PreCompact`	Before compaction	Can block manual or auto compaction.
`PostCompact`	After compaction	React to the new compacted state.
`SessionEnd`	When the session closes	Cleanup, logging, finalization; cannot block exit.
`Elicitation`	When an MCP server asks for user input	Hooks can answer instead of showing a dialog.
`SubagentStop`	When a subagent finishes	Stop hooks inside subagents are converted here.

Skills

Skills are reusable prompt workflows. Claude can invoke them automatically unless you disable model invocation.

Bundled skills

/batch Parallel large codebase migration / transformation with isolated worktrees and PRs
/claude-api Bring in Claude API reference material for SDK work
/debug Turn on debug logging and inspect session logs
/loop Repeat a prompt while the current session stays open
/simplify Parallel quality pass over recently changed files

SKILL.md frontmatter

name Slash-command name; defaults to directory name
description When the skill should be used; most important field
disable-model-invocation Prevents Claude from auto-loading the skill
allowed-tools Restrict tools available while the skill runs
context Can run inline or in a fork / subagent context
shell Use PowerShell for ! blocks on Windows where supported
$ARGUMENTS / $0 / $1 Argument substitution inside SKILL.md

Tools, subagents & tasks

Claude’s built-in tools matter because permissions, hooks, and subagents all reference these exact names.

Built-in tools

Tool / concept	Purpose	Permission
`Agent`	Spawn a subagent with separate context	No
`AskUserQuestion`	Gather requirements or disambiguate	No
`Bash`	Run shell commands	Yes
`Edit`	Make targeted file edits	Yes
`Write`	Create or overwrite files	Yes
`Read / Glob / Grep`	Read and search the repo	No
`LSP`	Definitions, references, warnings, type errors	No
`Monitor`	Watch logs or status in background	Yes
`EnterWorktree`	Create or enter isolated git worktree	No
`TaskCreate / TaskList / TaskUpdate`	Interactive task system	No
`Skill`	Run a reusable prompt workflow	Yes
`WebFetch / WebSearch`	Use the web where enabled	Yes

Subagents & agent teams

Explore Fast, read-only codebase search and analysis agent (Haiku)
Plan Research agent used while Claude is in plan mode
General-purpose Multi-step agent for exploration plus modification
Custom subagents Markdown definitions with frontmatter and tool restrictions
Agent teams Experimental teammate mode controlled via settings and env flags

MCP

MCP gives Claude extra tools, prompts, and resources. Use scopes deliberately:

MCP commands

claude mcp add --transport stdio myserver -- npx my-mcp Add a stdio server
claude mcp add --transport http hubspot https://mcp.example.com Add an HTTP server
claude mcp list List configured servers
claude mcp get github Inspect one server
claude mcp remove github Remove a server
/mcp Inspect server status and handle OAuth inside Claude

MCP patterns to remember

--scope local Only you in the current project (new name for older project-local scope)
--scope project Shared with the repo via .mcp.json
--scope user Available across all projects for the current user
@server:protocol://resource/path Reference an MCP resource with @ mention
/mcp__<server>__<prompt> Run an MCP prompt exposed as a command
MCP_TIMEOUT Startup timeout for MCP servers
MAX_MCP_OUTPUT_TOKENS Default cap is 25,000 tokens; warning starts above 10,000
list_changed Dynamic refresh of tools, prompts, and resources without reconnecting
--channels Enable pushed channel messages from MCP servers that support them

Worktrees, remote & routines

Use isolation when parallel work would otherwise collide:

claude --worktree feature/name Launch Claude inside a new isolated git worktree
/schedule Create, update, list, or run routines conversationally
/tasks Inspect long-running background tasks
--remote Start or connect to Claude Code on the web / remote environments
/remote-env Choose the default web environment used by --remote
/teleport Pull a web session back into the terminal
/remote-control Let claude.ai remote-control this terminal session

IDE, web & desktop

Current official surfaces beyond the plain terminal:

VS Code / Cursor / Windsurf / VSCodium Run claude in the integrated terminal and the extension auto-installs
JetBrains IDEs Dedicated plugin with quick launch, diff viewer, selection context, diagnostics
Cmd+Esc / Ctrl+Esc Quick launch from supported IDE integrations
Cmd+Option+K / Alt+Ctrl+K Insert file reference shortcuts from the IDE
/ide Connect an external terminal session back to the IDE
Desktop app Use /desktop to continue the session in the desktop UI
Claude Code on the web Remote browser-based sessions with environment selection and setup scripts

Sources

Primary sources used for this sheet:

Source	Freshness
Commands	Crawled 2 days ago
CLI reference	Crawled 7 months ago
Settings	Crawled 2 days ago
Interactive mode	Crawled 7 months ago
Hooks reference	Crawled 7 months ago
Skills	Crawled last week
Memory	Crawled 7 months ago
MCP	Crawled last week
Subagents	Crawled 7 months ago
Tools reference	Crawled 4 days ago
Environment variables	Crawled last week
IDE integrations	Crawled 7 months ago
Getting started	Crawled 8 months ago