| name | claude-code-guide |
| description | Use this agent when the user asks questions ("Can Claude...", "Does Claude...", "How do I...") about: (1) Claude Code (the CLI tool) - features, hooks, slash commands, MCP servers, settings, IDE integrations, keyboard shortcuts; (2) Claude Agent SDK - building custom agents; (3) Claude API (formerly Anthropic API) - API usage, tool use, Anthropic SDK usage. **IMPORTANT:** Before spawning a new agent, check if there is already a running or recently completed claude-code-guide agent that you can resume using the "resume" parameter.
|
| allowed-tools | ["Glob","Grep","Read","WebFetch","WebSearch"] |
Claude Code Guide
This skill provides comprehensive guidance for Claude Code - the agentic coding tool from Anthropic.
What is Claude Code?
Claude Code is an agentic coding assistant that operates directly in your terminal. Unlike chat-based AI tools, Claude Code:
- Sees your codebase: Reads files, understands project structure, follows imports
- Takes action: Edits files, runs commands, creates commits, manages git workflows
- Verifies results: Runs tests, checks build output, validates changes
- Learns context: Remembers project conventions via CLAUDE.md files
The Agentic Loop
Claude Code operates in a continuous gather → act → verify loop:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ AGENTIC LOOP │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 1. GATHER CONTEXT │
│ • Read files, search code, explore structure │
│ • Understand current state and requirements │
│ │
│ 2. TAKE ACTION │
│ • Edit files, run commands, create content │
│ • May require permission for sensitive ops │
│ │
│ 3. VERIFY RESULTS │
│ • Check command output, run tests │
│ • Validate changes meet requirements │
│ │
│ 4. REPEAT or COMPLETE │
│ • Continue if more work needed │
│ • Report results when done │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Read more: references/core/agentic-loop.md
Key Features Quick Reference
| Feature | Description | Learn More |
|---|
| Tools | File ops, search, bash, web access | references/core/tools.md |
| Context Window | ~200K tokens, auto-compaction | references/core/context-management.md |
| CLAUDE.md | Project-specific instructions | references/configuration/memory.md |
| Skills | Reusable prompts & workflows | references/configuration/skills.md |
| Hooks | Shell commands on events | references/configuration/hooks.md |
| MCP Servers | External tool integrations | references/configuration/mcp.md |
| Subagents | Delegated specialized tasks | references/configuration/sub-agents.md |
| Plan Mode | Design before implementing | references/workflows/common-workflows.md |
| Headless Mode | Non-interactive automation | references/workflows/advanced-workflows.md |
Extension Points Comparison
Choose the right extension mechanism for your needs:
| Mechanism | Best For | Scope | Complexity |
|---|
| CLAUDE.md | Project conventions, coding standards, context | Project | Low |
| Skills | Reusable prompts, workflows, templates | User/Project | Low-Medium |
| Hooks | Automation, validation, logging, side effects | User/Project | Medium |
| MCP Servers | External APIs, databases, custom tools | User/Project | Medium-High |
| Subagents | Specialized tasks, parallel work, isolation | User/Project | Medium |
When to Use What
Use CLAUDE.md when:
- Defining coding standards ("use tabs, not spaces")
- Documenting project architecture
- Specifying test commands
- Setting up file organization rules
Use Skills when:
- Creating reusable workflows (/commit, /review)
- Building prompt templates with arguments
- Packaging documentation for reference
- Defining specialized behaviors
Use Hooks when:
- Running commands before/after actions
- Validating or blocking tool usage
- Logging activity
- Auto-formatting code on save
Use MCP Servers when:
- Connecting to external APIs (GitHub, Jira, databases)
- Adding custom tool capabilities
- Integrating with existing services
- Providing resources from external sources
Use Subagents when:
- Delegating specialized investigations
- Running parallel analysis tasks
- Isolating context for focused work
- Creating custom agent personas
Navigation Guide
Understanding How Claude Code Works
- How does the agentic loop work? →
references/core/agentic-loop.md
- What tools does Claude have? →
references/core/tools.md
- How does context management work? →
references/core/context-management.md
Configuration & Setup
- How do I set up CLAUDE.md? →
references/configuration/memory.md
- How do I create skills? →
references/configuration/skills.md
- How do I configure hooks? →
references/configuration/hooks.md
- How do I add MCP servers? →
references/configuration/mcp.md
- How do I create subagents? →
references/configuration/sub-agents.md
Workflows & Best Practices
- Common tasks (exploration, debugging, PRs) →
references/workflows/common-workflows.md
- Advanced patterns (parallel, CI/CD, headless) →
references/workflows/advanced-workflows.md
- Best practices & tips →
references/best-practices.md
CLI Reference
- Commands, flags, and options →
references/cli-reference.md
Quick Tips
Effective Prompting
# Be specific about verification
"Add input validation to the signup form. Run the tests to verify."
# Provide context
"The auth system uses JWT tokens stored in httpOnly cookies.
Add a logout endpoint that clears the cookie."
# Request exploration first
"Explore how error handling works in this codebase, then
suggest improvements to the API error responses."
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Key | Action |
|---|
Enter | Send message (configurable) |
Esc | Cancel current generation |
Ctrl+C | Interrupt / Exit |
Tab | Accept autocomplete |
Up/Down | Navigate history |
Essential Commands
| Command | Purpose |
|---|
/help | Show all commands |
/compact | Reduce context usage |
/clear | Start fresh conversation |
/rewind | Undo to checkpoint |
/status | Show current state |
/config | Open settings |
/review | Review code changes |
/pr-comments | Address PR feedback |
Common Questions
Q: How much context does Claude Code have?
A: ~200K tokens. Use /compact if running low. See references/core/context-management.md.
Q: Can Claude Code run commands without asking?
A: Depends on permission mode. Safe commands auto-approve; destructive ones ask. See references/core/agentic-loop.md.
Q: How do I share context across sessions?
A: Use CLAUDE.md files for persistent context. See references/configuration/memory.md.
Q: Can I use Claude Code in CI/CD?
A: Yes, with headless mode (claude -p). See references/workflows/advanced-workflows.md.
Q: How do I add custom tools?
A: Via MCP servers. See references/configuration/mcp.md.
IDE Integration
Claude Code integrates with VS Code and JetBrains IDEs:
VS Code: Install "Claude Code" extension
Cmd+Esc (Mac) / Ctrl+Esc (Windows/Linux) to open- Automatic file sync with editor
- Inline diff viewing
JetBrains: Install "Claude Code" plugin
- Same keyboard shortcut
- Project context awareness
- Integrated terminal
Getting Help
