Claude Code Master Cheat Sheet
Every slash command, @ mention, CLI flag, and power trick — all in one place.
By @Dav23Jonn76
📖 Full page on Notion
/ Slash Commands
| Command | What It Does | Mental Model |
|---|---|---|
/help |
Show all commands | Open the manual |
/clear |
Clear conversation history | Fresh whiteboard |
/compact |
Summarize + compress context | Zip the memory |
/cost |
Show token usage & cost | Check the bill |
/status |
Show current session info | Dashboard |
/bug |
Report a bug to Anthropic | File a ticket |
/review |
Request code review | Call in the expert |
/init |
Init CLAUDE.md in project | Set up home base |
/memory |
Edit CLAUDE.md memory file | Edit the brain |
/model |
Switch AI model | Change the engine |
/terminal-setup |
Install shell key bindings | Wire the keyboard |
/vim |
Toggle vim mode | Summon vim spirit |
@ Mentions
| Syntax | What It Does | Mental Model |
|---|---|---|
@filename |
Add a file to context | Hand Claude a file |
@folder/ |
Add entire folder | Hand Claude a folder |
@url |
Fetch & read a URL live | Read a webpage |
@git |
Reference git context | Read the repo history |
@changes |
Include git diff/changes | Show what changed |
@README.md |
Load project README | Brief Claude on project |
@package.json |
Load package info | Show dependencies |
@*.test.ts |
Glob pattern file match | Batch load files |
-- CLI Flags
| Flag | What It Does | Mental Model |
|---|---|---|
--print / -p
|
Print response, no interactive UI | One-shot mode |
--output-format |
Set output: text / json / stream | Choose the format |
--model |
Specify which model to use | Pick the engine |
--no-tools |
Disable all tools | Chat only mode |
--allowedTools |
Whitelist specific tools | Selective permissions |
--dangerously-skip-permissions |
Skip all confirmations | Auto-approve all 🚨 |
--verbose |
Show detailed logs | Debug mode on |
--max-turns |
Limit agentic loop turns | Set a leash |
--system-prompt |
Override system prompt | Custom instructions |
--resume |
Resume a past session by ID | Load a save file |
--continue / -c
|
Continue last conversation | Pick up where left off |
--version |
Show Claude Code version | Version check |
⚙ CLAUDE.md & Config
| Concept | What It Does | Mental Model |
|---|---|---|
CLAUDE.md |
Project memory Claude always reads | Standing orders |
~/.claude/CLAUDE.md |
Global memory across all projects | Personal rules |
settings.json |
Config file for permissions & tools | Claude's rulebook |
allowedTools |
Tools Claude can use without asking | Pre-approved list |
blockedTools |
Tools Claude can never use | Banned list |
ANTHROPIC_API_KEY |
Your API key env variable | Secret credential |
/init |
Auto-generate CLAUDE.md from codebase | Auto-brief Claude |
| MCP servers | Connect external tools to Claude | Plugin system |
💡 Pro tip: Put your stack, coding style, and never-do rules in
CLAUDE.mdonce. Claude will follow them forever across that project.
# CLAUDE.md example
## Stack
- Next.js 14, TypeScript, Tailwind
- Supabase for database
## Rules
- Never use var, always const/let
- Always add error handling
- Write tests for every function
★ Power User Tricks
| Trick | What It Does | Mental Model |
|---|---|---|
claude "fix this" --print |
One-shot answer, no UI | Quick fire mode |
claude -c |
Jump straight into last session | Resume game |
| `cat file \ | claude -p "explain"` | Pipe any file into Claude |
claude --dangerously-skip-permissions |
Full auto-approve for CI/CD | Robot mode 🤖 |
/compact then continue |
Free up context without losing thread | Context reset trick |
@CLAUDE.md in prompt |
Explicitly reference memory mid-chat | Remind Claude |
Esc Esc |
Edit your last message | Take it back |
Ctrl + C twice |
Abort running tool immediately | Hard stop |
claude --resume [id] |
Restore a specific old session | Time travel |
claude "task" --max-turns 5 |
Run agentic task with turn limit | Controlled agent |
Shift + Enter |
Multi-line input without sending | Paragraph mode |
Real examples:
# Explain any file instantly
cat src/index.ts | claude -p "explain this code"
# Run a task fully automated (CI/CD)
claude "run tests and fix any failures" --dangerously-skip-permissions
# One-shot with JSON output
claude "list all functions in @src/" --print --output-format json
# Controlled agent with turn limit
claude "refactor the auth module" --max-turns 10
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Shortcut | What It Does |
|---|---|
↑ / ↓ |
Navigate message history |
Ctrl + C |
Cancel current generation |
Ctrl + C twice |
Force stop running tool |
Esc Esc |
Edit last sent message |
Shift + Enter |
New line without sending |
Tab |
Autocomplete file/command |
Ctrl + L |
Clear screen |
Install & Setup
# Install globally
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
# Set your API key
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-...
# Add to shell config so it persists
echo 'export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-...' >> ~/.zshrc
# Update to latest
claude update
# Check version
claude --version
# Diagnose issues
claude doctor
# Install shell shortcuts
claude /terminal-setup
# Bootstrap a new project
claude /init
The Mental Model That Changed Everything
Stop thinking of Claude Code as a chatbot. Think of it as a junior dev that lives in your terminal.
- CLAUDE.md = the onboarding doc you give a new hire
- @ mentions = handing them the exact files they need
- --max-turns = telling them how far to go before checking back in
- /compact = clearing the whiteboard when it gets too cluttered
Once you think like that, you stop fighting it and start directing it.
If this helped you, drop a ⭐ and share it with someone using Claude Code.
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