# 🟣 Claude Code CLI — Cheat Sheet

> **What it is:** Anthropic's **Claude Code** — an agentic coding tool that runs in your
> terminal, reads/edits files, runs commands, and pair-programs interactively.
> **Best for:** Deep, multi-file changes where you want to stay in the loop — reasoning
> through a refactor, debugging across modules, or building a feature with review at each step.
> **Per-repo rules:** reads `AGENTS.md` (canonical) and, if present, `CLAUDE.md`.

> ⚠️ **Flags/commands drift between versions.** Confirm with `claude --help` and
> `/help` inside a session.
>
> **Official docs:** <https://docs.anthropic.com/en/docs/claude-code>

---

## Install & auth

```bash
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code   # or the documented installer
claude --version
claude                                      # first run walks you through login
```

- Auth via Anthropic account (Pro/Max) or an `ANTHROPIC_API_KEY`.
- Config & history live under `~/.claude/`.

## Launching

```bash
claude                       # interactive REPL in the current dir
claude "explain src/server.ts and propose a refactor"   # seed a first prompt
claude -p "list the failing tests"          # print mode: one-shot, non-interactive
cat error.log | claude -p "what's the root cause?"      # pipe context in
```

## Session management

```bash
claude -c                    # continue the most recent conversation
claude --resume              # pick a past session to resume
claude --resume <id> "<prompt>"   # resume a specific session with a new instruction
```

Inside a session, history is preserved; use `/clear` to reset context when switching tasks.

## Permission modes

| How                              | Effect                                                  |
| -------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| _(default)_                      | Prompts before edits / commands                         |
| `--permission-mode acceptEdits`  | Auto-accepts file edits, still gates commands           |
| `--permission-mode plan`         | **Plan mode** — proposes a plan, makes no changes       |
| `--dangerously-skip-permissions` | Auto-approves **everything** (use only in a sandbox/VM) |

```bash
claude --permission-mode plan          # safe: get a plan first, no edits
claude --dangerously-skip-permissions  # full auto — only in throwaway/sandboxed env
```

> 🧠 Prefer **plan mode** for anything non-trivial: review the plan, then let it execute.
> Reserve `--dangerously-skip-permissions` for isolated environments (devcontainer/VM).

## Useful in-session slash commands

| Command         | Purpose                                     |
| --------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| `/help`         | List commands                               |
| `/clear`        | Reset conversation context                  |
| `/init`         | Generate/refresh a `CLAUDE.md` for the repo |
| `/review`       | Review recent changes                       |
| `/model`        | Switch model                                |
| `/agents`       | Manage subagents                            |
| `/mcp`          | Inspect/connect MCP servers                 |
| `#` (prefix)    | Add a durable memory to `CLAUDE.md`         |
| `@path/to/file` | Pull a file into context                    |

## Config files & memory

- **`AGENTS.md`** (repo root) — canonical agent rules; Claude reads it.
- **`CLAUDE.md`** — optional Claude-specific memory; `/init` scaffolds it, `#` appends to it.
- **`.claude/settings.json`** (repo or `~/.claude/`) — permissions, hooks, tools, MCP.
- **MCP servers** — connect tools/data via `claude mcp add ...` or `.mcp.json`.

## ByteLyst workflow

Open every delegation with the shared guardrails — Claude honors `AGENTS.md`, but
re-stating scope keeps it tight:

```text
Follow AGENTS.md + AI.dev/SKILLS/agent-behavior-guidelines.md.
Scope: <paths>. Tests are sacred; fix code, not tests.
Verify: pnpm --filter <pkg> typecheck && ... test && ... build  (next build --webpack).
pnpm workspace; @bytelyst/* link via workspace:*. Conventional commits, one per logical change.
Use plan mode first for multi-file work; show the plan before editing.
```

- Use `/review` before committing a cluster of edits.
- For repo onboarding context, run `/init` once and commit the resulting `CLAUDE.md`
  (keep it thin — it should point at `AGENTS.md`, not duplicate it).

## Troubleshooting

| Symptom                      | Fix                                                                                   |
| ---------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Edits applied without asking | You're in `acceptEdits`/`--dangerously-skip-permissions`; switch to default or `plan` |
| Context bloated / confused   | `/clear` and re-seed with `@` file references                                         |
| Can't reach Gitea/registry   | Corp proxy must be active (`NETWORK=corp`); workspace deps avoid the registry         |
| Build fails on Turbopack     | Use `next build --webpack`                                                            |
| Wants a tool it can't access | Wire it via MCP (`/mcp`, `claude mcp add`)                                            |

## Quick-reference card

```text
claude                         # interactive
claude -p "..."                # one-shot print mode
claude -c                      # continue last session
claude --resume                # pick a session
claude --permission-mode plan  # plan first, no edits
/init  /clear  /review  /model  /mcp  #memory  @file
```

---

**Related:** [`devin-cli.md`](./devin-cli.md) · [`codex-cli.md`](./codex-cli.md) ·
[`../PROMPTS/`](../PROMPTS/) · [`../SKILLS/agent-behavior-guidelines.md`](../SKILLS/agent-behavior-guidelines.md)

_Last updated: 2026-05-28 · verify flags against your installed version (`claude --help`)._