10 Claude Code Tips and Tricks for Power Users

Level Up Your Claude Code Game

You’ve installed Claude Code and used it a few times. Now it’s time to become a power user. These 10 tips will transform how you work with AI-assisted coding.

1. Master the CLAUDE.md File

The CLAUDE.md file is your most powerful configuration tool. Place it in your project root:

# Project Context

## Architecture
- Monorepo with apps/ and packages/
- Frontend: React 19 + TypeScript
- Backend: Node.js + Express
- Database: PostgreSQL with Drizzle ORM

## Conventions
- Use functional components with hooks
- Prefer named exports over default exports
- All API responses use { data, error } shape
- Tests go in __tests__/ directories

## Common Commands
- `npm run dev` — Start dev server
- `npm run test` — Run test suite
- `npm run lint` — Lint with ESLint

Claude Code reads this automatically every session. Be specific — the better your CLAUDE.md, the better the output.

2. Use Continuation and Resume

Don’t start fresh every time:

# Continue the last conversation
claude --continue

# Resume a specific previous session
claude --resume

This preserves context from previous sessions, so Claude Code remembers what you were working on.

3. Write Better Prompts

Be specific and give context:

Bad:

Fix the bug

Good:

The /api/users endpoint returns a 500 error when the email field is empty. The error is in src/routes/users.ts. Fix the validation and add a proper error response.

Pro tip: Reference specific files, error messages, and expected behavior.

4. Use the Slash Commands

Claude Code has built-in commands:

Command	Description
/help	Show available commands
/config	Open configuration
/cost	Check session token usage
/clear	Clear conversation context
/compact	Compress conversation to save tokens
/doctor	Run health diagnostics

5. Set Up Project-Specific Skills

Create reusable workflows for common tasks:

<!-- .claude/skills/deploy.md -->
# Deploy Skill

When asked to deploy:
1. Run tests: `npm run test`
2. Build: `npm run build`
3. Check for TypeScript errors: `npx tsc --noEmit`
4. Deploy: `npm run deploy`
5. Verify health: `curl https://api.example.com/health`

6. Configure Allowed Tools

Control what Claude Code can do with permissions:

# Allow all tools
claude config set allowedTools all

# Or be selective for security
claude config set allowedTools "read,write,search"

For team environments, use managed settings to enforce policies.

7. Optimize for Large Codebases

When working with large projects:

• Use /compact regularly to compress conversation history and save tokens
• Be specific about file paths — don’t make Claude Code search the entire project
• Break large tasks into smaller, focused requests
• Use subagents for isolated subtasks

8. Git Workflow Integration

Claude Code has built-in Git support. Use it:

> Create a new branch called feature/auth, implement JWT authentication, 
  write tests, and create a commit with a conventional commit message

Claude Code will:

1. Create the branch
2. Implement the feature
3. Write and run tests
4. Stage and commit changes

9. Use Auto-Update Channels Wisely

Choose the right update channel for your needs:

# Latest — get features immediately
claude config set autoUpdatesChannel latest

# Stable — one week delay, fewer regressions
claude config set autoUpdatesChannel stable

For teams, enforce via managed settings.

10. Combine with MCP Servers

Extend Claude Code’s capabilities with MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers:

• Database MCP — Let Claude Code query your database directly
• Figma MCP — Generate UI from designs
• Sentry MCP — Debug production errors with real error data
• Custom MCP — Build your own for internal tools

// .mcp.json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "postgres": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["@modelcontextprotocol/server-postgres", "postgresql://localhost/mydb"]
    }
  }
}

Bonus: Keyboard Shortcuts

Shortcut	Action
Ctrl+C	Cancel current operation
Ctrl+D	Exit Claude Code
Up/Down	Navigate input history
Tab	Accept suggestion
Esc	Cancel current input

Start Practicing

The best way to learn is by doing. Pick one tip, try it today, and gradually incorporate more into your workflow.

Ready to go deeper? Check out Claude Code MCP Servers or the Terminal Commands Cheat Sheet.