20 Claude Code CLI Commands to Make Your 10x Productive

In the era of Claude Code, Cursor and Loveable AI, the landscape of software development is undergoing a seismic shift. The traditional image of a developer hunched over a keyboard, manually typing every line of code, is rapidly being replaced by a more collaborative and intelligent workflow. At the heart of this revolution is the rise of AI-powered coding assistants, and Anthropic's Claude Code CLI stands out as a particularly powerful tool for developers who live in the terminal.

While graphical user interfaces have their place, the command-line interface remains the undisputed champion for speed, efficiency, and automation in the hands of a skilled developer. The Claude Code CLI is not just another chatbot; it's an agentic coding partner that can understand your codebase, execute commands, and even learn your project's intricacies. It's a tool designed to augment your intelligence, automate the mundane, and free you up to focus on what truly matters: solving complex problems and building innovative software.

This comprehensive guide will take you on a deep dive into the world of the Claude Code CLI. We'll go beyond a simple list of commands and explore the workflows and techniques that can genuinely 10x your productivity. Whether you're a seasoned command-line veteran or just starting to explore the power of AI in your development process, this article will provide you with the knowledge and tools you need to master the Claude Code CLI and become a more effective and efficient developer.

Part 1: The Essentials - Getting Up and Running

Before you can unleash the full power of Claude, you need to get it set up and learn the basics of session management. This section will guide you through the initial steps and introduce you to the fundamental commands for starting, stopping, and resuming your conversations with Claude.

1. Installation: Your First Step to AI-Powered Development

The journey to 10x productivity begins with a single command. The Claude Code CLI is distributed via npm (Node Package Manager), making it easy to install on any system with Node.js.

The Command:Bash

npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

What it does: This command installs the Claude Code CLI globally on your system, which means you can run the claude command from any directory in your terminal.

Productivity Boost: A one-time setup that gives you instant access to your AI coding assistant from anywhere on your machine. No need to switch to a browser or a separate application; Claude is always just a command away.

2. Configuration: Fine-Tuning Your Experience

Small customizations can have a big impact on your workflow. This command allows you to set a preference for how Claude notifies you when it has completed a task.

The Command:Bash

claude config set --global preferredNotifChannel terminal_bell

What it does: This tells Claude to play your terminal's bell sound when a long-running task is complete.

Productivity Boost: Instead of constantly checking your terminal to see if Claude has finished, you can switch to another task and be notified when it's time to review the results. This is a simple yet effective way to maintain focus and multitask efficiently.

3. claude: Starting a New Conversation

This is the command that will become second nature to you. It's your gateway to a fresh conversation with Claude.

The Command:Bash

claude

What it does: Starts a new interactive session with Claude.

Productivity Boost: A clean slate for every new task. This ensures that the context from previous conversations doesn't interfere with your current work, leading to more accurate and relevant responses from Claude.

4. claude --continue or claude -c: Picking Up Where You Left Off

Interruptions are a part of every developer's day. This command ensures that you can seamlessly resume your work without losing your train of thought.

The Command:Bash

claude --continue

What it does: Resumes your most recent Claude session, with the full conversation history and context intact.

Productivity Boost: This is a huge time-saver. You don't have to re-explain the context or re-run previous commands. Just type claude -c and you're right back where you were.

5. claude --resume or claude -r: Juggling Multiple Projects with Ease

For developers working on multiple projects, context switching is a major productivity killer. The --resume flag is your solution.

The Command:Bash

claude --resume

What it does: Displays a list of your past sessions, allowing you to choose which one to resume.

Productivity Boost: Effortlessly switch between different projects and tasks without losing context in any of them. This is like having a separate, dedicated AI assistant for each of your projects.

Part 2: The Core Workflow - Your Daily Drivers

Once you're in a session, you'll be using a set of powerful "slash commands" to interact with Claude. These are your daily drivers for managing the conversation, providing context, and getting the most out of your AI partner.

6. /init: Giving Claude a Brain for Your Project

The /init command is the key to unlocking Claude's full potential on your projects. It creates a special file that Claude uses to learn about your codebase.

The Command:Bash

/init

What it does: Creates a CLAUDE.md file in your project's root directory.

Productivity Boost: The CLAUDE.md file is where you can store high-level information about your project, such as its architecture, dependencies, and coding conventions. Claude will read this file to provide you with more context-aware and accurate assistance. Think of it as giving Claude a "memory" for your project. You can even ask Claude to help you write it with prompts like > document the project architecture in CLAUDE.md.

7. /clear: A Fresh Start, Not a Full Reset

Sometimes, you need to change direction within a session without starting a completely new one. The /clear command is perfect for this.

The Command:Bash

/clear

What it does: Resets the conversation history and context of your current session.

Productivity Boost: This is much faster than exiting and starting a new session. It's ideal for when you're switching to a new task within the same project and want to avoid confusing Claude with irrelevant context from your previous conversation.

8. /compact: Smartly Managing Your Context Window

Claude's power comes from its large context window, but it's not infinite. The /compact command is a clever way to keep your conversations going for longer.

The Command:Bash

/compact

What it does: Summarizes the current conversation, preserving the key information while reducing the overall token count.

Productivity Boost: This allows you to have longer, more complex interactions with Claude without hitting the context limit. It's like having an intelligent assistant that knows how to take good notes, so you can focus on the big picture.

9. /review: Your AI-Powered Code Reviewer

Code reviews are essential for maintaining code quality, but they can be a bottleneck. With the /review command, you have an instant second pair of eyes on your code.

The Command:Bash

/review

What it does: Asks Claude to review a pull request, a specific file, or a block of code.

Productivity Boost: Claude can spot potential bugs, suggest improvements, and check for style guide compliance, all in a matter of seconds. This can dramatically reduce the time it takes to get your code reviewed and merged, and it helps you learn and improve as a developer.

10. /help: Your In-Session Cheat Sheet

With so many powerful commands at your fingertips, it's easy to forget one. The /help command is your friendly reminder.

The Command:Bash

/help

What it does: Lists all the available slash commands and a brief description of what they do.

Productivity Boost: No need to leave your terminal or search through documentation. The help command gives you the information you need, right when you need it.

11. /model: Choosing the Right Tool for the Job

Anthropic offers a family of models with different strengths. The /model command lets you switch between them on the fly.

The Command:Bash

/model

What it does: Allows you to select a different Claude model for your current session, such as the highly advanced Opus or the speedy Sonnet.

Productivity Boost: This gives you the flexibility to choose the best model for your specific needs. Need a creative solution to a complex architectural problem? Switch to Opus. Need a quick answer to a simple question? Sonnet is your go-to.

Part 3: Project Mastery - Understanding Any Codebase

One of the biggest challenges for developers is getting up to speed on a new project. The following prompts, used as commands, turn Claude into an expert guide that can help you navigate any codebase with confidence.

12. > summarize this project

This is your starting point for understanding any new project.

The Prompt:

> summarize this project

What it does: Asks Claude to provide a high-level overview of the current project, including its purpose, main features, and technology stack.

Productivity Boost: Instead of spending hours or even days reading through documentation and code, you can get a concise summary in minutes. This is invaluable for new team members or when you're exploring a new open-source project.

13. > explain the folder structure

A well-organized project is a joy to work on, but an unfamiliar one can be a maze. This prompt is your map.

The Prompt:

> explain the folder structure

What it does: Asks Claude to analyze the project's directory structure and explain the purpose of each folder.

Productivity Boost: Quickly understand how the project is organized, where to find key files, and where to add new code. This saves you from a lot of frustrating trial and error.

14. > find the files that handle user authentication

This is where Claude's intelligence really shines. You can ask it to find code related to a specific feature, and it will do the hard work for you.

The Prompt:

> find the files that handle user authentication

What it does: Searches the entire codebase and identifies the files that are responsible for user authentication.

Productivity Boost: This is like having a super-powered search engine that understands your code. It's much faster and more accurate than manually searching for files, and it can save you a huge amount of time when you're trying to understand or modify a specific feature.

15. > explain the main architecture patterns used here

Understanding a project's architecture is crucial for making good design decisions. This prompt gives you a high-level view of the project's design.

The Prompt:

> explain the main architecture patterns used here

What it does: Analyzes the codebase and identifies the main architectural patterns it uses, such as Model-View-Controller (MVC), microservices, or a monolithic architecture.

Productivity Boost: This helps you understand the "why" behind the code, not just the "what." It's essential for making sure that any new code you write is consistent with the project's existing design.

Part 4: Advanced Arsenal - Becoming a Claude Power User

Ready to take your productivity to the next level? These advanced commands and features will turn you into a true Claude power user.

16. Custom Slash Commands: Building Your Own Tools

This is one of the most powerful features of the Claude Code CLI. You can create your own custom slash commands to automate your personal workflows.

How it works: You create markdown files in a .claude/commands directory (either in your project or your home directory). The name of the file becomes the name of the command.

Example:

Create a file named .claude/commands/test.md with the following content:Markdown

Run all the unit tests and report the results.

Now, you can simply type /project:test in your Claude session to execute your custom command.

Productivity Boost: This allows you to create a personalized set of tools that are perfectly tailored to your workflow. You can create commands for running tests, deploying to staging, generating boilerplate code, and anything else you can imagine. This is the ultimate productivity hack for developers who want to automate their repetitive tasks.

17. claude mcp add: Extending Claude's Capabilities

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is a system that allows you to connect Claude to other tools and services.

The Command:Bash

claude mcp add playwright npx @playwright/mcp@latest

What it does: This command adds the Playwright MCP to your Claude instance, giving it the ability to control a web browser.

Productivity Boost: With MCPs, you can give Claude superpowers. Imagine asking Claude to "go to our website, log in as a test user, and take a screenshot of the dashboard." With the Playwright MCP, this is not just possible, it's easy.

18. permission.allow / permission.deny: Security and Control

As Claude becomes more powerful, it's important to have control over what it can and cannot do on your system.

How it works: You can edit the .claude/settings.json file to create a whitelist or blacklist of commands that Claude is allowed to execute.

Productivity Boost: This gives you the peace of mind to use Claude with confidence, knowing that it will only perform actions that you have explicitly approved. You can also use --dangerously-skip-permissions for trusted automation, but use it with caution.

19. npx ccusage@latest: Keeping an Eye on Your Usage

For developers who want to track their token usage and associated costs, this command is a must-have.

The Command:Bash

npx ccusage@latest

What it does: Provides a detailed report of your token usage and estimated costs.

Productivity Boost: This helps you understand how you're using Claude and make informed decisions about your usage. It's also a great way to identify opportunities to optimize your prompts and workflows to be more token-efficient.

20. > ultrathink ...: Unleashing Claude's Deep Thinking

This is not a specific command, but a powerful prompting technique. When you're facing a particularly challenging problem, you can ask Claude to "ultrathink" about it.

The Prompt:

> ultrathink how to design a scalable real-time chat application

What it does: This encourages Claude to go beyond a superficial answer and engage in a more in-depth and structured thinking process. It will often break down the problem into smaller parts, consider different approaches, and provide a more comprehensive and well-reasoned solution.

Productivity Boost: This is like having a brainstorming session with a senior architect. It can help you uncover new ideas, identify potential pitfalls, and make better decisions on complex technical challenges.

Part 5: The Agentic Workflow - Claude as a Teammate

The true future of AI in development lies in the "agentic workflow," where Claude acts not just as a tool, but as an active and intelligent teammate. Here are some advanced workflows that showcase this new paradigm.

Test-Driven Development (TDD) with Claude

TDD is a powerful methodology, and Claude can make it even more efficient.

The Workflow:

1. > write a failing test for the new feature: Ask Claude to write a test for a feature that doesn't exist yet.
2. Run the test: Confirm that the test fails.
3. > write the code to make the test pass: Ask Claude to write the implementation.
4. Run the test again: Confirm that the test now passes.
5. Refactor: Ask Claude to refactor the code for clarity and efficiency.

Productivity Boost: This workflow ensures that your code is always covered by tests, leading to higher quality and more maintainable software. Claude's ability to quickly generate both tests and implementation code makes the TDD cycle incredibly fast and efficient.

Using Multiple Claude Instances

For complex tasks, you can use multiple Claude instances in parallel, just like you would with a team of developers.

The Workflow:

1. Instance 1 (The Developer): Use one Claude instance to write the code for a new feature.
2. Instance 2 (The Reviewer): Use a second Claude instance (in a new terminal window) to review the code written by the first instance.
3. Instance 3 (The Refactorer): Use a third instance to refactor the code based on the reviewer's feedback.

Productivity Boost: This allows you to parallelize your work and benefit from multiple "perspectives" on your code. It's a powerful way to improve code quality and speed up the development process on large and complex projects.

Conclusion: The Future of Code is a Conversation

The Claude Code CLI is more than just a collection of commands; it's a new way of interacting with your code. It's a shift from a monologue, where you dictate every instruction to the computer, to a dialogue, where you collaborate with an intelligent partner to achieve your goals.

By mastering the commands and workflows outlined in this guide, you're not just learning a new tool; you're embracing the future of software development. A future where you can spend less time on tedious and repetitive tasks, and more time on the creative and challenging work that you love. A future where your productivity is not just enhanced, but multiplied. So, dive in, start experimenting, and discover what it's like to have a 10x developer as your personal coding assistant. The conversation is just beginning.