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Leon Martin
Leon Martin

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The Ultimate Claude Code Guide: Every Hidden Trick, Hack, and Power Feature You Need to Know

#programming #ai #productivity #python

Let’s be real. Most devs use Claude Code like it’s a fancy autocomplete tool and hey, no shame, we’ve all been there. But Claude Code is so much more than “just ask it to generate a Python function.” Under the hood? It’s a whole AI dev platform disguised as a terminal whisperer.

So, after months of poking, breaking, automating, rage quitting, and eventually mastering the thing, I put together this beefy (but fun, I promise) guide.

You’ll find:

  • Hidden hook superpowers (yes, it has hooks)
  • Custom agents (that actually listen)
  • Ridiculous slash command automations
  • Integration hacks (MCP is your new bestie)
  • Context sorcery with CLAUDE.md

...and a bunch of spicy CLI flags to make you feel like you’ve unlocked developer god mode.

You ready? Cool. Let’s do this.

Part 1: Hooks - The Ultimate Automation Framework

Claude Code hooks are shell commands that execute automatically at specific points in the development lifecycle. Think of them as triggers that give you deterministic control over Claude's behavior.

The 8 Hook Types You Need to Master

Claude Code provides 8 different hook events, each serving specific automation purposes:

1. UserPromptSubmit Hook
Fires immediately when you submit a prompt, before Claude processes it.

# Setup via /hooks command or manually in .claude/settings.json
{
  "hooks": {
    "UserPromptSubmit": [{
      "hooks": [{
        "type": "command",
        "command": "echo 'Prompt submitted at $(date)' >> ~/.claude/prompt-log.txt"
      }]
    }]
  }
}
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2. PreToolUse Hook - The Game Changer
Runs before Claude executes any tool. This is where the magic happens for validation and security:

# Block dangerous commands
{
  "hooks": {
    "PreToolUse": [{
      "matcher": "Bash",
      "hooks": [{
        "type": "command", 
        "command": "if [[ \"$CLAUDE_TOOL_INPUT\" == *\"rm -rf\"* ]]; then echo 'Dangerous command blocked!' && exit 2; fi"
      }]
    }]
  }
}
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3. PostToolUse Hook - Auto-formatting Magic
Executes after successful tool completion:

# Auto-format TypeScript files after editing
{
  "hooks": {
    "PostToolUse": [{
      "matcher": "Edit|Write",
      "hooks": [{
        "type": "command",
        "command": "if [[ \"$CLAUDE_FILE_PATHS\" =~ \\.(ts|tsx)$ ]]; then prettier --write \"$CLAUDE_FILE_PATHS\"; fi"
      }]
    }]
  }
}
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4. Notification Hook
Fires when Claude sends notifications (permission requests, waiting for input):

# Desktop notifications
{
  "hooks": {
    "Notification": [{
      "hooks": [{
        "type": "command",
        "command": "osascript -e 'display notification \"Claude needs attention\" with title \"Claude Code\"'"
      }]
    }]
  }
}
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5. Stop Hook - AI-Powered Completions
Runs when Claude finishes responding:

# Generate AI completion messages
{
  "hooks": {
    "Stop": [{
      "hooks": [{
        "type": "command",
        "command": "python ~/.claude/hooks/generate_completion.py"
      }]
    }]
  }
}
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6. SubagentStop Hook
Fires when Claude Code subagents finish:

# Track subagent completions
{
  "hooks": {
    "SubagentStop": [{
      "hooks": [{
        "type": "command",
        "command": "echo 'Subagent task completed at $(date)' >> ~/.claude/subagent-log.txt"
      }]
    }]
  }
}
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7. PreCompact Hook
Runs before context compaction (when Claude's memory gets too full):

# Backup transcripts before compaction
{
  "hooks": {
    "PreCompact": [{
      "hooks": [{
        "type": "command",
        "command": "cp ~/.claude/current-session.jsonl ~/.claude/backups/session-$(date +%s).jsonl"
      }]
    }]
  }
}
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8. SessionStart Hook
Executes when starting new sessions:

# Load development context automatically
{
  "hooks": {
    "SessionStart": [{
      "hooks": [{
        "type": "command",
        "command": "git status > /tmp/claude-git-context.txt && echo 'Development context loaded'"
      }]
    }]
  }
}
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Advanced Hook Patterns

Environment Variable Access:
Hooks have access to special environment variables:

  • CLAUDE_PROJECT_DIR - Current project directory
  • CLAUDE_FILE_PATHS - Files being modified
  • CLAUDE_TOOL_INPUT - Tool parameters (JSON format)

Conditional Hook Execution:

# Only run hooks in production projects
{
  "hooks": {
    "PreToolUse": [{
      "matcher": "Edit",
      "hooks": [{
        "type": "command",
        "command": "if [[ -f package.json ]] && grep -q '\"production\"' package.json; then npm run lint; fi"
      }]
    }]
  }
}
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JSON Response Control:
Hooks can return structured JSON for sophisticated control:

# Python hook script returning JSON
import json
import sys

# Hook logic here...

response = {
    "continue": True,  # Whether Claude should continue
    "feedback": "Code quality check passed",
    "modify_prompt": False
}

print(json.dumps(response))
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Part 2: MCP - The Universal Connector

Model Context Protocol (MCP) is Claude Code's secret weapon for connecting to external tools and data sources. Most developers don't realize how powerful this is.

Essential MCP Servers You Should Install

GitHub Integration:

claude mcp add github -- npx @modelcontextprotocol/server-github
# Now you can: "Create a PR for the latest changes and assign it to @reviewer"
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Database Access:

claude mcp add postgres -- npx @modelcontextprotocol/server-postgres
# Query your database: "Find all users who signed up this week from our Postgres DB"
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File System Operations:

claude mcp add filesystem -- npx @modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem
# Enhanced file operations: "Search all .ts files for the pattern 'deprecated' and create a cleanup plan"
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Web Browsing with Puppeteer:

claude mcp add puppeteer -- npx @modelcontextprotocol/server-puppeteer
# Take screenshots: "Navigate to localhost:3000 and take a screenshot of the login page"
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Figma Design Integration:

claude mcp add figma -- npx @modelcontextprotocol/server-figma
# Access designs: "Update our button components based on the latest Figma designs"
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Slack Integration:

claude mcp add slack -- npx @modelcontextprotocol/server-slack
# Team communication: "Send a summary of today's deployments to the #engineering channel"
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MCP Configuration Scopes - The Hidden Hierarchy

MCP servers can be configured at three levels:

1. User Scope (Global)

# Available across all projects
claude mcp add github -s user -- npx @modelcontextprotocol/server-github
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2. Local Scope (Project-specific)

# Only for current project
claude mcp add postgres -s local -- npx @modelcontextprotocol/server-postgres
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3. Project Scope (Team-shared)

# Committed to repository for team sharing
claude mcp add figma -s project -- npx @modelcontextprotocol/server-figma
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Advanced MCP Techniques

Custom MCP Server Configuration:

# Add MCP server with custom configuration
claude mcp add-json custom-server '{
  "command": "node",
  "args": ["./custom-mcp-server.js"],
  "env": {
    "API_KEY": "your-api-key"
  }
}'
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MCP Debug Mode:

# Debug MCP connection issues
claude --mcp-debug
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Token Limit Management:

# Increase MCP output token limit
export MAX_MCP_OUTPUT_TOKENS=50000
claude
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Import from Claude Desktop:

# Transfer MCP servers from Claude Desktop
claude mcp add-from-claude-desktop
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Part 3: Custom Slash Commands - Your Personal Automation Arsenal

Custom slash commands turn repetitive workflows into single commands. Most developers miss this game-changing feature.

Creating Command Templates

Create .claude/commands/ directory and add markdown files:

Project Setup Command (.claude/commands/setup.md):

# Setup Development Environment

Please perform the following setup tasks:

1. Install dependencies: `npm install`
2. Create environment file from template: `cp .env.example .env`
3. Run database migrations: `npm run migrate`
4. Start development server: `npm run dev`
5. Open browser to localhost:3000

Arguments: $ARGUMENTS
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Usage: /setup or /setup --verbose

Code Review Command (.claude/commands/review.md):

# Comprehensive Code Review

Analyze the provided code changes and provide feedback on:

1. **Security**: Check for potential vulnerabilities
2. **Performance**: Identify optimization opportunities  
3. **Maintainability**: Assess code structure and clarity
4. **Testing**: Suggest test coverage improvements
5. **Best Practices**: Ensure adherence to project standards

Focus areas: $ARGUMENTS

Please be specific and actionable in your feedback.
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Bug Triage Command (.claude/commands/bug-triage.md):

# Bug Triage and Analysis

For the reported bug: $ARGUMENTS

1. Use `gh issue view` to get complete issue details
2. Reproduce the issue locally if possible
3. Analyze relevant code sections
4. Identify root cause
5. Propose solution with implementation plan
6. Estimate effort and impact
7. Suggest appropriate priority level

Create a detailed action plan with specific next steps.
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Advanced Command Patterns

Conditional Command Logic:

# Smart Deploy Command

Based on the current branch and environment:

If on `main` branch:
- Run full test suite
- Deploy to production
- Tag release with version bump

If on `develop` branch:
- Run quick tests
- Deploy to staging
- Notify team in Slack

If on feature branch:
- Deploy to preview environment
- Share preview URL

Branch: $ARGUMENTS
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Multi-Step Workflow Commands:

# Complete Feature Implementation

For feature: $ARGUMENTS

## Phase 1: Planning
1. Create feature branch: `git checkout -b feature/$ARGUMENTS`
2. Review requirements and create implementation plan
3. Update project documentation

## Phase 2: Implementation
1. Write failing tests first (TDD approach)
2. Implement core functionality
3. Add error handling and edge cases
4. Update documentation

## Phase 3: Quality Assurance
1. Run full test suite
2. Perform security review
3. Check performance impact
4. Update CHANGELOG.md

## Phase 4: Deployment
1. Create pull request with detailed description
2. Request code review from appropriate team members
3. Deploy to staging for testing
4. Monitor metrics and logs

Execute each phase systematically and confirm completion before proceeding.
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Team-Specific Commands:
Commands in .claude/commands/ are automatically shared when team members clone your repository, creating consistent workflows across your entire development team.

Part 4: CLAUDE.md - The Context Configuration Master File

The CLAUDE.md file is Claude Code's secret weapon for project-specific intelligence. It gets automatically loaded into Claude's context when you start a session.

Ultimate CLAUDE.md Template 

# Project Overview

## Architecture
- **Frontend**: Next.js 14 with TypeScript
- **Backend**: Node.js with Express
- **Database**: PostgreSQL with Prisma ORM
- **Authentication**: NextAuth.js
- **Deployment**: Vercel (frontend), Railway (backend)

## Key Commands
- `npm run dev` - Start development servers
- `npm run build` - Build for production
- `npm run test` - Run test suite
- `npm run lint` - Run ESLint
- `npm run type-check` - TypeScript type checking

## Code Standards
- Use TypeScript strict mode
- Prefer functional components over class components
- Write descriptive variable names (no single letters except for loops)
- Add JSDoc comments for public functions
- Follow clean architecture principles
- Keep components under 200 lines
- Use custom hooks for complex state logic

## Testing Guidelines
- Write tests using Jest and React Testing Library
- Aim for 80% code coverage minimum
- Include edge cases and error scenarios
- Test user interactions, not implementation details
- Mock external dependencies

## Security Requirements
- Validate all user inputs
- Use parameterized queries for database access
- Implement proper CSRF protection
- Follow OWASP security guidelines
- Never log sensitive information

## Performance Guidelines
- Optimize images with next/image
- Use React.memo for expensive components
- Implement proper loading states
- Cache API responses where appropriate
- Monitor Core Web Vitals

## Database Schema Notes
- Users table: id, email, name, created_at, updated_at
- Posts table: id, user_id, title, content, published, created_at
- Comments table: id, post_id, user_id, content, created_at

## API Endpoints
- POST /api/auth/signin - User authentication
- GET /api/posts - List all posts
- POST /api/posts - Create new post
- GET /api/posts/[id] - Get specific post
- PUT /api/posts/[id] - Update post
- DELETE /api/posts/[id] - Delete post

## Environment Variables
- DATABASE_URL - PostgreSQL connection string
- NEXTAUTH_SECRET - Authentication secret
- NEXTAUTH_URL - Base URL for auth callbacks
- GITHUB_CLIENT_ID - GitHub OAuth client ID
- GITHUB_CLIENT_SECRET - GitHub OAuth secret

## Deployment Process
1. Run tests and type checking
2. Build application
3. Deploy to staging environment
4. Run integration tests
5. Deploy to production
6. Monitor error rates and performance

## Common Issues and Solutions
- **TypeScript errors**: Run `npm run type-check` to identify issues
- **Build failures**: Check for missing dependencies or env vars
- **Database connection**: Verify DATABASE_URL format and permissions
- **Authentication issues**: Check NEXTAUTH_SECRET and URL configuration

## Team Preferences
- Use conventional commits for better changelog generation
- Create feature branches from `develop`
- Require PR reviews for `main` branch
- Update documentation with feature changes
- Tag releases with semantic versioning
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Specialized CLAUDE.md Sections

For API Projects:

## API Design Standards
- Use RESTful principles
- Implement proper HTTP status codes
- Add request/response examples in OpenAPI spec
- Use consistent error response format
- Implement rate limiting
- Add API versioning strategy
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For Frontend Projects:

## UI/UX Guidelines
- Follow design system components
- Implement responsive design (mobile-first)
- Add proper ARIA labels for accessibility
- Use semantic HTML elements
- Optimize for Core Web Vitals
- Test across major browsers
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For DevOps/Infrastructure:

## Infrastructure Notes
- **Cloud Provider**: AWS
- **Container Registry**: ECR
- **Orchestration**: ECS with Fargate
- **Load Balancer**: Application Load Balancer
- **Database**: RDS PostgreSQL
- **Cache**: ElastiCache Redis
- **Monitoring**: CloudWatch + DataDog
- **Secrets**: AWS Secrets Manager
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Part 5: Headless Mode and Automation Mastery

Claude Code's headless mode (-p flag) unlocks powerful automation capabilities that most developers never explore.

Basic Headless Operations 

# Quick file analysis
claude -p "How many TypeScript files are in this project?"

# Code quality check
claude -p "Review the latest commit for potential issues"

# Automated documentation
claude -p "Generate API documentation for all endpoint files"
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Advanced Headless Workflows

CI/CD Integration:

# GitHub Actions workflow
name: Claude Code Review
on: [pull_request]
jobs:
  review:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
      - name: Claude Code Review
        run: |
          claude -p "Review this PR for security vulnerabilities and performance issues" \
            --output-format json > review-results.json
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Pre-commit Hooks:

#!/bin/bash
# .git/hooks/pre-commit
changed_files=$(git diff --cached --name-only --diff-filter=ACM)
if [ -n "$changed_files" ]; then
    claude -p "Review these changed files for issues: $changed_files" \
        --output-format stream-json
fi
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Automated Code Generation:

# Generate test files for new components
find src/components -name "*.tsx" -newer .last-test-gen | while read file; do
    claude -p "Generate comprehensive Jest tests for this React component: $file" \
        --output-format json > "${file%.tsx}.test.tsx"
done
touch .last-test-gen
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Log Analysis Automation:

# Monitor logs and alert on anomalies
tail -f /var/log/app.log | while read line; do
    echo "$line" | claude -p "Analyze this log entry for security threats or errors. Alert if critical."
done
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Output Format Options 

# JSON output for programmatic processing
claude -p "Count all TODO comments" --output-format json

# Stream JSON for real-time processing
claude -p "Monitor this log file for errors" --output-format stream-json

# Plain text (default)
claude -p "Explain this function" --output-format text
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Part 6: Advanced CLI Flags and Configuration

Claude Code has numerous CLI options that unlock advanced functionality.

Essential CLI Flags 

# Skip all permission prompts (dangerous but useful for automation)
claude --dangerously-skip-permissions

# Enable MCP debugging
claude --mcp-debug

# Set custom configuration directory
claude --config-dir ~/.my-claude-config

# Use specific model
claude --model claude-3-opus-20240229

# Set custom timeout for MCP servers
MCP_TIMEOUT=30 claude

# Increase MCP output token limit
MAX_MCP_OUTPUT_TOKENS=50000 claude

# Add shell command prefix
CLAUDE_CODE_SHELL_PREFIX="time" claude
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Configuration File Mastery

Global Settings (~/.claude/settings.json):

{
  "defaultModel": "claude-3-sonnet-20240229",
  "autoAcceptPermissions": false,
  "maxOutputTokens": 4096,
  "hooks": {
    "SessionStart": [{
      "hooks": [{
        "type": "command",
        "command": "echo 'Welcome back to Claude Code!'"
      }]
    }]
  },
  "mcpServers": {
    "github": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["@modelcontextprotocol/server-github"]
    }
  }
}
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Project Settings (.claude/settings.json):

{
  "projectName": "MyAwesomeProject",
  "defaultBranch": "main",
  "testCommand": "npm test",
  "lintCommand": "npm run lint",
  "buildCommand": "npm run build",
  "hooks": {
    "PostToolUse": [{
      "matcher": "Edit",
      "hooks": [{
        "type": "command",
        "command": "npm run lint --fix"
      }]
    }]
  }
}
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Part 7: Git Integration Superpowers

Claude Code's Git integration goes far beyond basic commands. Here are the advanced workflows most developers miss.

Advanced Git Workflows

Intelligent Branch Management:

# Claude understands Git context automatically
claude "Create a feature branch for user authentication, implement the login component, and set up the API endpoint"

# Smart commit message generation
claude "Commit these changes with an appropriate conventional commit message"

# Complex Git operations
claude "Rebase the current branch onto main, resolve any conflicts, and force push"
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Git History Analysis:

# Investigate code changes
claude "What changes were made to the authentication system in the last 3 months?"

# Find responsible developers
claude "Who has been working on the user management features?"

# Understand architectural decisions
claude "Why was the payment processing logic moved to a separate service? Check git history for context."
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Advanced PR Management:

# Create comprehensive PRs
claude "Create a pull request for the current changes, include a detailed description with screenshots"

# Respond to review comments
claude "Address all the comments on PR #123 and push the changes"

# Automated PR workflows
claude "For each open PR, check if CI is passing and merge if approved by 2+ reviewers"
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Git-based Automation Patterns

Release Management:

# Automated release process
claude "Generate release notes from commits since last tag, bump version in package.json, create git tag, and push"

# Hotfix workflow
claude "Create hotfix branch from main, apply the fix for issue #456, and create emergency PR"
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Code Archaeology:

# Understand legacy code
claude "Find when this deprecated function was last used and create a safe removal plan"

# Track feature evolution
claude "Show me how the user authentication flow has evolved over the past year"
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Part 8: IDE Extensions and Integrations

While Claude Code runs in the terminal, it integrates seamlessly with popular IDEs through extensions and configurations.

VS Code Integration

Claude Code Extension Setup:

# Install the official extension
code --install-extension anthropic.claude-code

# Multiple parallel instances
# Open different panes for different parts of your codebase
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Custom VS Code Tasks:

// .vscode/tasks.json
{
  "version": "2.0.0",
  "tasks": [
    {
      "label": "Claude Review",
      "type": "shell",
      "command": "claude",
      "args": ["-p", "Review the currently open file for improvements"],
      "group": "build",
      "presentation": {
        "echo": true,
        "reveal": "always",
        "focus": false,
        "panel": "new"
      }
    }
  ]
}
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Keyboard Shortcuts:

// .vscode/keybindings.json
[
  {
    "key": "ctrl+shift+c",
    "command": "workbench.action.terminal.sendSequence",
    "args": {
      "text": "claude -p \"Review current file\"\n"
    }
  }
]
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JetBrains Integration

Claude Code works with IntelliJ IDEA, WebStorm, and other JetBrains IDEs:

# Terminal integration within IDE
# Set up external tool in IDE settings
# Program: claude
# Arguments: -p "Analyze the current file"
# Working directory: $ProjectFileDir$
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Cursor Integration

Many Cursor users are switching to Claude Code for agent-like functionality:

# Use Cursor for quick completions
# Use Claude Code for complex multi-file operations
# Best of both worlds approach
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Part 9: Custom Agents and Sub-Agents

Claude Code supports custom agents and sub-agents for specialized workflows.

Creating Custom Agents

Database Expert Agent (.claude/agents/db-expert.md):

# Database Expert Agent

You are a specialized database expert agent focused on:

## Expertise Areas
- Query optimization and performance tuning
- Schema design and normalization
- Index strategy and analysis
- Migration planning and execution
- Security and access control

## Available Tools
- Database query execution via MCP
- Performance analysis tools
- Schema comparison utilities

## Response Format
Always provide:
1. Analysis summary
2. Specific recommendations
3. Implementation steps
4. Performance impact assessment
5. Risk evaluation

Use concrete examples and explain the reasoning behind recommendations.
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Security Auditor Agent (.claude/agents/security.md):

# Security Auditor Agent

Specialized in application security analysis and vulnerability assessment.

## Security Checklist
- [ ] Input validation and sanitization
- [ ] Authentication and authorization
- [ ] Data encryption (at rest and in transit)
- [ ] SQL injection prevention
- [ ] XSS protection
- [ ] CSRF mitigation
- [ ] Dependency vulnerability scan
- [ ] Secrets management
- [ ] Error handling (no sensitive info leakage)
- [ ] Access control implementation

## Tools Available
- Security scanning via MCP
- Dependency checker
- Code analysis tools

Always provide severity ratings and remediation steps.
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Invoking Custom Agents 

# Use @ mentions for custom agents
claude "@db-expert analyze the performance of our user queries"

claude "@security audit the authentication system for vulnerabilities"
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Sub-Agent Coordination

Claude Code can coordinate multiple sub-agents for complex tasks:

# Multi-agent workflow
claude "Use @db-expert to optimize our queries, then @security to audit the changes, then @frontend to update the UI accordingly"
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Part 10: Advanced Security and Permissions

Claude Code includes sophisticated security features that go beyond basic permission prompts.

Permission System Mastery

Granular Permission Control:

{
  "permissions": {
    "allowedCommands": ["git", "npm", "yarn", "pnpm"],
    "blockedCommands": ["rm", "sudo", "chmod 777"],
    "allowedDirectories": ["./src", "./tests", "./docs"],
    "blockedDirectories": ["./node_modules", "./.env"],
    "requireConfirmation": ["git push", "npm publish"]
  }
}
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File Protection Hooks:

# Protect sensitive files
{
  "hooks": {
    "PreToolUse": [{
      "matcher": "Edit|Write",
      "hooks": [{
        "type": "command",
        "command": "if [[ \"$CLAUDE_FILE_PATHS\" == *\".env\"* ]]; then echo 'Cannot edit .env file' && exit 2; fi"
      }]
    }]
  }
}
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Enterprise Security Features

Audit Logging:

# Log all Claude Code activities
{
  "hooks": {
    "PreToolUse": [{
      "matcher": "*",
      "hooks": [{
        "type": "command",
        "command": "echo \"$(date): Tool ${CLAUDE_TOOL_NAME} executed by ${USER}\" >> /var/log/claude-audit.log"
      }]
    }]
  }
}
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Compliance Monitoring:

# Monitor for compliance violations
{
  "hooks": {
    "PostToolUse": [{
      "matcher": "Edit",
      "hooks": [{
        "type": "command",
        "command": "python /opt/compliance/check-edit.py \"$CLAUDE_FILE_PATHS\""
      }]
    }]
  }
}
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Part 11: Performance Optimization and Monitoring

Advanced techniques for optimizing Claude Code performance and monitoring usage.

Context Management 

# Regularly clear context to maintain performance
claude "/clear"

# Use compact mode for long sessions
claude "/compact"

# Monitor token usage
claude "/usage"
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Session Optimization

Effective Context Loading:

# Load only relevant context
claude "Read the authentication module and user management tests, then implement OAuth integration"

# vs loading everything at once
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Strategic File References:

# Reference specific files rather than entire directories
claude "Look at src/auth/login.ts and tests/auth.test.ts, then fix the failing test"
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Performance Monitoring Tools

Usage Tracking:

# Install community usage monitor
npm install -g claude-code-usage-monitor

# Track token consumption
claude-usage-monitor --session-aware --burn-rate-alerts
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Custom Monitoring Hooks:

{
  "hooks": {
    "Stop": [{
      "hooks": [{
        "type": "command",
        "command": "python ~/.claude/hooks/track-usage.py"
      }]
    }]
  }
}
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Part 12: Third-Party Tools and Extensions

The Claude Code ecosystem includes powerful third-party tools that extend functionality.

Essential Community Tools

ClaudeKit - Advanced CLI Toolkit:

npm install -g claudekit

# 20+ specialized sub-agents
claudekit oracle "What's the best approach for this architecture?"
claudekit code-reviewer "Deep analysis of the payment service"
claudekit ai-sdk-expert "Optimize this Vercel AI SDK implementation"
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Status Line Enhancements:

# Enhanced status line with themes and monitoring
npm install -g claude-code-statusline

# Real-time usage tracking
npm install -g claude-powerline
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Container Development:

# Dagger for safe multi-agent development
docker run -it dagger/claude-code-container
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Workflow Orchestration

Claude Squad - Multi-Agent Management:

npm install -g claude-squad

# Manage multiple Claude instances
claude-squad start --agents 3 --workspaces ./project1,./project2,./project3
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TSK - AI Agent Task Manager:

# Parallel development in Docker sandboxes
tsk delegate "Implement user authentication" "Add payment processing" "Create admin dashboard"
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Part 13: Debugging and Troubleshooting Mastery

Advanced debugging techniques and troubleshooting workflows.

Built-in Debugging Tools 

# Enhanced doctor command with context
claude "/doctor"

# Debug MCP connections
claude --mcp-debug

# Verbose logging
CLAUDE_DEBUG=1 claude

# Check configuration
claude config list
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Custom Debugging Workflows

Error Analysis Automation:

# Automatic error investigation
claude "Analyze the error logs, identify the root cause, and propose a fix: $(tail -50 error.log)"

# Stack trace debugging
claude "Debug this stack trace and identify the exact line causing the issue: [paste stack trace]"
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Performance Debugging:

# Profile application performance
claude "Profile the application, identify bottlenecks, and suggest optimizations: $(npm run profile)"

# Memory leak detection
claude "Analyze memory usage patterns and identify potential leaks: $(node --inspect app.js)"
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Diagnostic Hooks 

{
  "hooks": {
    "PreToolUse": [{
      "matcher": "Bash",
      "hooks": [{
        "type": "command",
        "command": "echo 'Executing: $CLAUDE_TOOL_INPUT' | logger -t claude-debug"
      }]
    }]
  }
}
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Part 14: Advanced Workflow Patterns

Real-world workflow patterns that leverage multiple Claude Code features together.

The Full-Stack Feature Workflow 

# 1. Create feature branch and plan
claude "Create feature branch 'user-notifications', analyze requirements from issue #234, and create implementation plan"

# 2. Implement with testing
claude "Implement the notification system with full test coverage, following our coding standards"

# 3. Security and performance review
claude "@security audit the notification system for vulnerabilities, then @performance optimize for scale"

# 4. Documentation and deployment
claude "Update API documentation, create user guide, and deploy to staging with monitoring"
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The Code Quality Pipeline 

# Automated quality workflow
claude "Run full test suite, fix any failing tests, update code coverage report, run security scan, optimize performance, and generate quality report"
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The Emergency Hotfix Pattern 

# Rapid hotfix deployment
claude "Create hotfix branch from main, implement fix for critical bug #456, run emergency test suite, create PR with expedited review requirements"
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Part 15: Future-Proofing and Advanced Techniques

Cutting-edge techniques and preparations for upcoming Claude Code features.

Experimental Features

Custom MCP Servers:

// custom-mcp-server.js
import { Server } from '@modelcontextprotocol/sdk/server/index.js';

const server = new Server({
  name: "custom-development-server",
  version: "1.0.0"
});

// Add custom tools for your specific workflow
server.addTool("analyze-performance", async (args) => {
  // Custom performance analysis logic
});
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Advanced Hook Patterns:

# Python hook with AI integration
import json
import sys
import openai

def analyze_code_change():
    # Get hook data
    hook_data = json.loads(sys.stdin.read())

    # Use AI to analyze the change
    analysis = openai.chat.completions.create(
        model="gpt-4",
        messages=[{
            "role": "user",
            "content": f"Analyze this code change: {hook_data['tool_input']}"
        }]
    )

    return {
        "continue": True,
        "feedback": analysis.choices[0].message.content
    }

if __name__ == "__main__":
    result = analyze_code_change()
    print(json.dumps(result))
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Integration Patterns

Claude Code as a Service:

# Dockerfile for Claude Code service
FROM node:18-alpine
RUN npm install -g claude-code
COPY entrypoint.sh /
ENTRYPOINT ["/entrypoint.sh"]
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API Wrapper Development:

// API wrapper for Claude Code integration
import { spawn } from 'child_process';

export class ClaudeCodeAPI {
  async executeCommand(prompt: string): Promise<string> {
    return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
      const claude = spawn('claude', ['-p', prompt, '--output-format', 'json']);
      let output = '';

      claude.stdout.on('data', (data) => {
        output += data.toString();
      });

      claude.on('close', (code) => {
        code === 0 ? resolve(output) : reject(new Error(`Exit code: ${code}`));
      });
    });
  }
}
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Conclusion: Your Claude Code Mastery Journey

This comprehensive guide covers every advanced feature, hidden trick, and power technique available in Claude Code. From the automation capabilities of hooks to the connectivity power of MCP, from custom agents to enterprise security features you now have the complete toolkit.

Quick Implementation Checklist:

  1. Set up hooks for your most common workflows
  2. Install essential MCP servers for your tech stack
  3. Create custom slash commands for repetitive tasks
  4. Configure your CLAUDE.md with project context
  5. Implement headless automation for CI/CD
  6. Set up custom agents for specialized tasks
  7. Configure security and permissions appropriately
  8. Install community tools that enhance your workflow

The developers who master these advanced Claude Code features will have a significant competitive advantage. They'll ship faster, write better code, and handle complex tasks that would take others days or weeks.

Start with the features that solve your biggest pain points, then gradually expand your Claude Code toolkit. The investment in learning these advanced capabilities will pay dividends for years to come.

What advanced Claude Code feature will you implement first? Share your experiences and discoveries in the comments the Claude Code community thrives on sharing knowledge and pushing the boundaries of what's possible with AI assisted development.

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