Jeffrey Hicks

Posted on Jul 4

Claude Power User Training Document

Based on Ray Fernando's extensive experience as a former Apple engineer and current AI-powered app developer, this comprehensive training document compiles his most valuable tips, tricks, and strategies for mastering Claude across all platforms and use cases - excluding hooks, which are covered separately.

Overview

Ray Fernando, a 12-year Apple veteran turned AI entrepreneur, has developed sophisticated workflows for leveraging Claude's capabilities to build production applications, streamline development processes, and achieve what he calls "AI-generated freedom." His approach combines technical precision with entrepreneurial vision, making him one of the most innovative Claude power users in the ecosystem.

Core Prompting Mastery

The Ultra Think Technique

Ultra Think is Ray's secret weapon for complex tasks and represents one of the most powerful undocumented features of Claude[1][2][3][4].

What it does: Activates Claude's extended thinking mode, providing up to 32,000 tokens of reasoning space - dramatically more than standard prompts[4].

When to use it:

Complex analysis tasks requiring deep documentation review[1]
Starting new chats where you want comprehensive context building[1]
Tasks requiring adherence to complex rules or frameworks[1]
Multi-step problem solving where accuracy is critical[4]

How to implement:

Use Ultra Think mode to analyze this documentation and help me understand how to implement X feature while following Y principles.

Ray's Ultra Think Strategy:

Use it strategically at conversation beginnings to establish comprehensive context[1]
Combine with file uploads and documentation references[1]
Allow for longer response times but expect significantly higher quality outputs[4]
The thinking compounds across conversations, making subsequent interactions more effective[1]

Advanced Prompting Patterns

The Planning Mode Workflow

Ray frequently uses Shift + Tab twice to enter Claude Code's planning mode, which allows for structured thinking before execution[2][3].

The Process:

Press Shift + Tab twice to activate planning mode
Lay out your goals and requirements systematically
Reference files and documentation
Use Ultra Think for complex analysis
Finalize the plan before executing

Example Structure:

Planning Phase:
1. Goal: [Specific outcome you want to achieve]
2. Context: [Relevant files, documentation, constraints]
3. Process: [Step-by-step approach]
4. Success Criteria: [How you'll know it worked]

Ultra think through this plan and identify any potential issues before we proceed.

The Iterative Refinement Method

Ray demonstrates sophisticated feedback loops with Claude, treating it as a collaborative partner rather than a simple tool[1].

Key Principles:

Provide specific, actionable feedback when Claude misunderstands
Use questions to guide Claude toward better understanding
Reference context and constraints clearly
Maintain conversational flow while correcting course

Example Correction Pattern:

I just want to get a little more clarity because I actually don't have shell scripts. The optimization principles.md is actually a markdown file for an LLM to use to run an analysis on.

Context Management Strategies

Documentation-Driven Development

Ray maintains a documentation folder in every repository that Claude can read, update, and organize[1].

Structure:

/documentation
  ├── optimization-principles.md
  ├── design-guidelines.md
  ├── quick-reference-guide.md
  └── architecture-decisions.md

Implementation Strategy:

Have Claude create initial documentation based on your requirements
Use it as a reference for consistent code generation
Update it iteratively as patterns emerge
Reference it in prompts for maintaining consistency

The Lever Framework

Ray's Lever Framework is a decision tree for code optimization that he embeds into Claude's context[1].

The Framework:

Leverage - Can existing code handle this requirement?
Extend - Can we modify existing patterns?
Verify - Can we adapt current code?
Evaluate - Can we create abstraction for it?
Refactor - Only create new code as last resort

Platform-Specific Mastery

Claude Code Optimization

Essential Commands and Shortcuts

Command Line Mastery:

claude                    # Start new session
claude --resume          # Resume previous chat
claude -r               # Resume (shortcut)
claude --ide            # Connect to IDE
bunXCC usage            # Check token usage and costs

Productivity Shortcuts:

Ctrl + W: Delete words one by one (massive productivity boost)[1]
Shift + Tab + Tab: Enter planning mode[3]
Right-click → New Window: Pop out Claude Code for multi-monitor workflows[1]

IDE Integration Mastery

Ray demonstrates sophisticated integration with Cursor that extends to all supported IDEs[1][5].

Key Features Ray Leverages:

Selection Context: Highlighted code automatically shared with Claude[6]
Error Sharing: Lint errors and syntax errors automatically passed to Claude[6]
File Reference Shortcuts: Quick insertion of file references[5]
Real-time Diagnostics: IDE problems automatically shared with Claude[5]

Power User Setup:

Configure Claude Code in your IDE settings
Set up keyboard shortcuts for common operations
Use the selection context feature for targeted questions
Leverage automatic error sharing for debugging

Claude Max Subscription Strategy

Ray advocates for the $200/month Claude Max plan as a game-changer for serious users[3][8].

Why Ray Chose Max 20x:

Unlimited usage without hitting daily limits[1]
Consistent access to Opus models[3]
Cost-effective when doing heavy development work[3]
Pays for itself within days for serious users[3]

Usage Optimization:

Monitor costs with bunXCC usage command[1]
Strategic use of Opus vs Sonnet based on task complexity[3]
Ultra Think mode becomes viable for frequent use[3]

Workflow Integrations

Voice-to-Text Mastery with Wispr Flow

Ray extensively uses Wispr Flow for voice dictation, considering it superior to built-in options[1][9][10].

Why Wispr Flow:

Zero-edit rate accuracy[10]
Context-aware transcription that understands what app you're using[10]
Privacy-focused with no training on user data[1][9]
Works across all applications seamlessly[11]

Ray's Wispr Flow Setup:

Uses it for detailed prompts and complex instructions[11]
Integrates with coding workflows for voice-driven development[11]
Leverages command mode for text editing and refinement[10]

Pro Tips:

Get Ray's referral link for $15 credit[9]
Use whisper mode for quiet environments[10]
Leverage multi-language support[10]
Integrate with Claude workflows for voice-to-AI pipelines[11]

Development Environment Optimization

Cursor Rules and Configuration

Ray maintains sophisticated Cursor rules that work alongside Claude[2].

Configuration Strategy:

Project-specific .cursorrules files
Design specification enforcement
TypeScript and Next.js optimization rules
Integration with Tailwind UI templates[14]

Example Workflow with Templates:

Start with high-quality templates (Tailwind UI)[14]
Use Claude to customize based on requirements[14]
Apply consistent design systems[14]
Maintain responsive design principles[14]

Repository Organization

Ray's approach to repository structure that maximizes Claude's effectiveness:

project-root/
├── .claude/
│   ├── settings.json
│   └── optimization-principles.md
├── documentation/
│   ├── design-guidelines.md
│   ├── architecture.md
│   └── workflows.md
├── src/
└── README.md

Advanced Optimization Principles

The Optimization Gatekeeper System

Ray's most sophisticated workflow involves creating systematic checks for code quality and consistency[1].

Core Principles:

Leverage Existing Code: Always check if existing code can handle new requirements
Pattern Recognition: Identify and reuse established patterns
Minimal Complexity: Avoid creating new abstractions unless absolutely necessary
Documentation-Driven: Maintain living documentation that guides decisions

Implementation Strategy:

Create comprehensive optimization principles documentation
Reference it in every significant Claude interaction
Use it as a checklist for code review
Update it based on lessons learned

Productivity Multipliers

The Compounding Effect

Ray emphasizes how Claude usage compounds over time when done correctly[1].

Strategies for Compounding:

Context Preservation: Maintain conversation continuity
Documentation Updates: Keep living documentation current
Pattern Library: Build reusable patterns and templates
Workflow Refinement: Continuously improve prompt patterns

Cost Management and ROI

Ray's approach to managing AI costs while maximizing output[3].

Cost Optimization Strategies:

Strategic model selection (Sonnet vs Opus)[3]
Batch similar tasks together[3]
Use Ultra Think strategically[3]
Monitor usage with tracking tools[3]

ROI Maximization:

Automate repetitive tasks[3]
Reduce development time significantly[3]
Maintain high code quality[3]
Enable rapid iteration and prototyping[3]

Advanced Features and Capabilities

Cross-Platform Synchronization

Ray seamlessly works across different Claude platforms[1].

Platform Strategy:

Claude.ai for planning and analysis
Claude Code for implementation
Mobile apps for quick questions
API integration for custom workflows

Community and Learning

Ray actively builds community around AI-powered development[1].

Community Building:

Daily livestreams for real-time learning[1]
Member benefits and early access[1]
Discord community for deeper engagement[2]
Open-source sharing of tools and patterns[1]

Troubleshooting and Best Practices

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Based on Ray's extensive experience:

Over-reliance on Memory: Always provide context in prompts
Inconsistent Patterns: Maintain style guides and documentation
Poor Cost Management: Monitor usage and optimize model selection
Lack of Iteration: Treat Claude as a collaborative partner

Performance Optimization

Response Quality:

Use Ultra Think for complex tasks[4]
Provide comprehensive context[1]
Break down complex requests[15]
Iterate based on feedback[1]

Speed Optimization:

Batch similar requests[1]
Use appropriate model for task complexity[3]
Maintain conversation context[1]
Leverage planning mode for efficiency[3]

Future-Proofing Your Claude Usage

Staying Current

Ray's approach to keeping up with rapid AI evolution[1].

Continuous Learning Strategy:

Follow official Anthropic updates
Experiment with new features immediately[1]
Share knowledge with community[1]
Document lessons learned[1]

Building Sustainable Workflows

Long-term Success Factors:

Documentation-First Approach: Everything should be documented
Community Engagement: Learn from and teach others
Experimentation: Try new features and workflows
Cost Consciousness: Sustainable usage patterns

Conclusion

Ray Fernando's approach to Claude mastery goes far beyond simple prompt engineering. His methodology combines technical excellence with entrepreneurial vision, treating Claude as a true collaborative partner in building the future. By following these principles, documenting your processes, and continuously iterating on your workflows, you can achieve similar levels of productivity and innovation.

The key insight from Ray's approach is that Claude becomes exponentially more powerful when you invest in proper setup, documentation, and systematic usage patterns. Whether you're building the next unicorn startup or simply trying to be more productive in your daily work, these battle-tested strategies will help you unlock Claude's full potential.

Remember: the goal isn't just to use AI tools, but to use them strategically to create real value and achieve genuine freedom in your work and life.

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