Claude Code Power User Guide – Intro
Claude Code is Anthropic’s terminal-first AI coding agent—a true Claude Code power user guide in one tool. It edits, tests, refactors, and commits code like a senior engineer who never sleeps.
Install & First-Run Setup
npm i -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code claude /terminal-setup claude --dangerously-skip-permissions # skip prompts
See also: VS Code Extension Guide (internal link).
25 Terminal Tricks for Claude Code Power Users
| # | Trick | How |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Disposable warm-up prompt | > "Summarize repo in 3 bullets" |
| 2 | Observer mode | claude --readonly in second pane |
| 3 | Context surgery | @File.tsx:120-150 |
| 4 | Queue labels | docs:, test:, refactor: |
| 5 | Token guard | `claude --status jq '.usage'` |
| 6 | Auto-commit hooks | .claude/hooks.mjs auto-add & commit |
| 7 | Interactive rebase wizard | git rebase -i HEAD~5 + explain |
| 8 | Spike branches | git checkout -b spike-$(date +%s) |
| 9 | Silent CI | claude --ci --message="update deps" |
| 10 | Panic macro | hotkey → claude --message="git checkout HEAD -- %file%" |
| 11 | Custom /patch command | .claude/commands/patch.md |
| 12 | /test generator | .claude/commands/test.md |
| 13 | /review command | .claude/commands/review.md |
| 14 | Team standards | .claude/team-standards.md in repo |
| 15 | Dotfiles symlink | ln -s ~/dotfiles/claude ~/.claude |
| 16 | Line-range targeting | @BigFile.tsx:5000-5100 |
| 17 | Drag & drop | Shift + drag to reference |
| 18 | Image paste fix | Ctrl+V (macOS) |
| 19 | Vim mode | /terminal-setup vim |
| 20 | Model aliases | alias cop='claude --model opus' |
| 21 | Persona priming | > "You are a senior TypeScript architect…" |
| 22 | Chain-of-thought plan | demand numbered plan first |
| 23 | Zero-to-few-shot | correct with 1–2 perfect examples |
| 24 | Test-driven Claude | tests → impl → refactor |
| 25 | Cost-aware prompting | Opus for arch, Sonnet for docs |
Project Boilerplate: Kickstart Your Claude Code Setup
Set up your project with a streamlined structure optimized for Claude Code. This boilerplate ensures seamless integration with Claude’s terminal-first AI capabilities, saving you hours of configuration time.
Boilerplate Structure
repo/ ├── .claude/ │ ├── CLAUDE.md // Configuration and documentation │ ├── hooks.mjs // Automation scripts for commits │ └── commands/ // Custom Claude commands ├── .github/ │ └── claude-code-review.yml // CI/CD integration ├── .claudeignore // Exclude unnecessary files └── package.json // Project dependencies
Why Use This Boilerplate?
Pre-configured for Claude Code, this structure supports automation, CI/CD, and custom commands, enabling faster development and cleaner workflows.
Get Started Instantly
Clone our starter template to jumpstart your project. It includes pre-built hooks and CI/CD configurations.
Pro Tip
Customize the .claude/commands/ folder to add your own Claude Code commands tailored to your team’s workflow, boosting productivity further.
Cost & ROI Calculator
| Plan | $/mo | Dev hrs @ $80 | Break-even |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pro | 20 | 0.25 h | 15 min |
| Max | 100 | 1.25 h | 75 min |
Common Mistakes (avoid these)
- ❌ Include node_modules
- ❌ Skip code review
- ❌ Long unchecked queues
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes for local development; avoid in production environments.
Press Esc once to pause; Ctrl+C exits the session entirely.
Supports all major languages, excelling at TypeScript, Python, and Go.
Ready to Build Software That Wins?
Stop settling for slow, unreliable technology. Get the senior engineering team that delivers results.
Book a No-BS Strategy Call